Home >> Science & Nature >> Science

Techniques for Increasing Relative Humidity

Moisture can alleviate discomfort from dry skin, nose, throat and eyes, and prevent winter nuisances such as static electricity, peeling wallpaper, and paint and furniture cracks. Relative humidity measures the ratio of moisture present to the moisture that a particular air mass can hold. The ratio, expressed as a percentage, depends upon the amount of moisture and temperature. Relative humidity increases with either more moisture or cooler air, which holds less moisture than warmer air. The techniques for increasing relative humidity involve increasing moisture content and lowering inside air temperature.

Humidifiers
- Humidifiers increase relative humidity using water, but can pose health problems.
  
  Humidifiers add moisture into the air by using water stored in a tank or cannister. Evaporative humidifers use fans to transport moisture invisibly through belts, filters, wicks or other absorbents. Vaporizers generate steam by heating water. Cool mist humidifiers rely on ultrasonic sound vibrations or rotating discs. The Environmental Protection Agency warns that humdifiers can encourage pollutants, molds and other allergins, and advises users to clean units, prevent the prolonged standing of water in tanks and not allow the relative humidity to exceed 50 percent.
Weather-Sealing Home
- Caulking around windows can prevent heat loss and the invasion of cold air.
  
  Weather-proofing a home can increase the relative humidity by preventing the entry of cold, dry outside air and the loss of heat. Techniques include caulking and sealing around doors, wall panels, vents, windows and other openings or cracks, and insulating the home with fiberglass or panels.
Evaporating Cold Water
- According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, refrigerated air decreases the quality of produce. Evaporating cold water can increase relative humidity and preserve produce quality. Place cold water or mist on the storage area floor to allow evaporation. Alternatively, increase moisture in a refrigerated room by using wet moss from which the air flowing through the refrigerator can draw moisture.
Evaporative Air Conditioning
- Evaporative air conditioners conduct outside air over water pads, cooling the air. The evaporating water increases relative humidity while cooling the home. Energy Savers recommends limiting the use of evaporative air conditioners to low-humidity locations, since the units increase relative humidity.

Science