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UPDATED: Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier: Which one do you need?

Humidity can be a nuisance, especially in the Midwest. This week, we are at a summer’s high in outdoor humidity levels, which in turn can affect the comfort of your home. When there is too much humidity in your home, it can make your air feel “sticky” while also causing mold and mildew to grow, damaging woodwork and furniture, and ultimately affecting the health of you and your family. 

At ServiceOne, we offer both a humidifier and dehumidifier to help keep your home feeling comfortable and your family healthy. But do you need both? How do they each benefit you and your home? Here’s what you need to know!

What is a general humidifier?

A humidifier is an air quality product that will help put moisture into your home’s air. The two most common types of home humidifiers are cool mist and warm mist humidifiers. Generally, homeowners use humidifiers during the winter months when your home’s air is more prone to being dry. However, some homeowners use a general humidifier all year long. A humidifier can keep your skin from drying out by providing the air with moisture, which also improves your congestion and controls allergies. 

What is a dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier, as the name suggests, is a product that will help decrease the amount of moisture in your home’s air. These are primarily used during the spring and summer months when the outdoor air is more humid. When your home’s air is too humid, it will often feel “sticky” or “stale”. By removing moisture from your home’s air and turning it into liquid, a dehumidifier will help create a more comfortable home while also preventing seasonal allergies from affecting you and your family!

How to test your home’s humidity levels

Determining the humidity level of your home is actually easier than you may think! First off, if your home’s air is feeling too “dry”, your humidity level is likely too low. On the other hand, if your home feels too “sticky”, your humidity levels are probably too high. Although some homeowners can gauge this when the symptoms are severe enough, there are also other methods and devices that can determine your humidity levels as well. 

In general, a home’s ideal humidity level should fall within 30 to 50 percent humidity. By testing the humidity levels in your home, you will be able to gauge whether or not you need a humidifier or dehumidifier. If you are unsure whether or not you need one of these air quality devices in your home, do not hesitate to give our professional HVAC team a call! 

As we are currently experiencing some of the highest humidity levels in the Midwest, a dehumidifier would likely be extremely beneficial in your home. However, as we head into the fall and winter months, purchasing a whole-home humidifier could help keep your home comfortable all year long!


At ServiceOne, we offer both a humidifier and dehumidifier as part of our air quality products. If you have any questions regarding our humidifier and dehumidifier, give us a call today!

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