Healthy indoor climate: Why the right humidity is crucial

A healthy indoor climate plays a key role in our well-being and health. Many of us spend the majority of our time within our own four walls, whether sleeping, working, or relaxing. Therefore, the indoor climate should be designed to contribute to our health rather than detract from it. In this article, you'll learn why a healthy indoor climate is important, how to achieve the ideal humidity level in your home, and what measures you can take to optimize indoor humidity.

Why is a healthy indoor climate so important?

An inadequate indoor climate can not only negatively impact general well-being but also cause health problems. For example, excessively dry air can irritate the respiratory tract, while excessive humidity increases the risk of mold growth. Both can lead to health problems such as allergies, asthma, or skin irritations. Furthermore, an unpleasant indoor climate can also reduce concentration and productivity. A good indoor climate means more than just pleasant temperatures. It's a combination of the right temperature, the right humidity, and good air circulation. But how exactly can a healthy indoor climate be defined?

What is a healthy indoor climate?

A healthy indoor climate is a condition in which people feel comfortable and do not experience any negative health effects. It is a balance of the following factors:

1. Temperature: Ideally, the room temperature should be between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius. The optimal temperature varies depending on the number of people in the room.
2. Humidity: The optimal humidity level in living spaces is between 40 and 60 percent. Both excessively dry and excessively humid air can be detrimental to health and make the living environment uncomfortable.
3. Fresh air: Regular ventilation ensures sufficient oxygen and removes pollutants and unpleasant odors.

Humidity plays a key role in the indoor climate. It describes the amount of water vapor in the air. If the air is too humid or too dry, it can cause health problems and damage to furniture or walls.

How much humidity should you have in rooms?

As already mentioned, the ideal humidity level in living spaces is around 40 to 60 percent. This value ensures that the respiratory tract doesn't dry out and the air remains pleasantly fresh. However, not every room in the home should have the same humidity:

• Living room and bedroom: 40 to 60 percent is optimal. In these rooms, the indoor climate is crucial for your well-being.
• Kitchen and bathroom: Humidity may be higher here for short periods, as more moisture is released into the air during cooking or showering. A value of up to 70 percent is acceptable, but should not be exceeded permanently to prevent mold growth.
• Basement: Here, too, the humidity should remain below 60 percent to prevent moisture damage and mold.

How can you regulate the humidity in a room?

Regulating humidity is crucial for creating a healthy indoor climate. There are several ways to control humidity in a room:

Reduce humidity

If the humidity in your home is too high, you can take the following measures:

• Ventilation: Regular ventilation is the easiest way to remove excess moisture. You should ensure fresh air, especially after showering, cooking, or drying laundry.

• Dehumidifier : A dehumidifier can effectively reduce the humidity in your home. Such devices are particularly useful in damp rooms or when humidity is persistently high. There are different types of dehumidifiers. One example of an electrically powered version is the condensation dehumidifier. These work similarly to a refrigerator. A fan sucks in the moist room air and forces it through the device. The air is passed over cold metal plates or cooling coils. Since cold air can retain less moisture, the water in the air condenses and collects in a water tank. The cooled air is then reheated to prevent the room from cooling down too much. The now drier, warmer air is blown back into the room. Condensation dehumidifiers are very effective at temperatures above 15°C and work best in heated spaces, such as living rooms or basements.

An example of a non-electric dehumidifier is a granular dehumidifier. These are the most common non-electric dehumidifiers and work with hygroscopic (moisture-attracting) salts such as calcium chloride. The granules attract and absorb moisture from the air. This causes the granules to dissolve, forming a salty liquid. The liquid drips into a collection container beneath the granules. This type of dehumidification is slow, but simple and inexpensive.

Granular dehumidifiers are well suited for smaller rooms, closets or vehicles and need to be replaced after some time.

• Heat correctly: Even heating of rooms prevents condensation from forming on cold surfaces, which often leads to mold growth.

• Use plants in a controlled manner: Although houseplants generally improve the indoor climate, they also release moisture into the air. Therefore, in rooms with already high humidity, you should ensure that you only place plants that require little water.

Increase humidity

If the air is too dry, you can take the following measures:

• Water evaporators: These small containers are attached to radiators and release moisture into the room air through evaporation.

• Houseplants: Certain plants, such as snake plants and spider plants, can help increase humidity in a room. They release water into the air through their leaves, thus improving the indoor climate.

• Humidifiers: Electric humidifiers are particularly useful during the winter months, when heating can dry out the air. They ensure a consistent increase in humidity.

• Wet wipes: Simple but effective: Hang damp towels or laundry in the room to increase the humidity.

Further tips for a good indoor climate

In addition to regulating humidity, there are other ways to improve the indoor climate:

1. Ventilation: Regular air exchange is essential. Ventilation, i.e., opening the windows completely for about five to ten minutes, is more effective than constantly tilting the windows.

2. Don't overheat rooms: Excessively high temperatures can also have a negative impact on the indoor climate. Stick to the recommended temperature values and avoid excessive heating.

3. Avoid pollutants: Choose low-pollutant furniture and paints to improve the air quality in your rooms. Avoid aggressive cleaning products as much as possible.

4. Plants for a better indoor climate: Houseplants not only improve humidity, they also filter pollutants from the air and contribute to improving air quality. Plants such as ivy and house palms are particularly effective.

Conclusion

A healthy indoor climate is essential for our well-being and health. The right balance of humidity in the room plays a key role. With simple measures such as regular ventilation, the use of dehumidifiers, or houseplants, you can optimally regulate the humidity in your home and create a healthy living environment.