Is 20% Relative Humidity Too High?
No, but it is too low.
What does 20% humidity mean for your home?
A relative humidity of 20% is below the recommended indoor minimum of 30%. While it prevents mold, air this dry is unhealthy for humans and damaging to wood.
The Risks of Low Humidity
- Health Issues: Dry air dries out your nasal passages, increasing susceptibility to colds, flu, and sinus infections.
- Damage to Wood: Hardwood floors, wooden instruments, and furniture can shrink, crack, and warp.
- Static Electricity: Painful static shocks become much more frequent in dry air.
How to fix it
You should use a whole-home or room humidifier. You can also temporarily raise humidity by leaving the bathroom door open while showering or air-drying clothes indoors.