The humidity in the air inside your business needs to be at the ideal level. If it’s too low, the environment won’t be comfortable. Studies have shown that indoor humidity levels of 40-60% are optimal from a health standpoint. However, the level that’s best will depend on the needs of your business. Some problems that may arise if the humidity level isn’t at an ideal level include damage to sensitive machinery, corrosion of metal parts, poor air quality, and an increase in harmful levels of bacteria, mold, and mildew. Here are some things to watch out for:
Complications to Sensitive Equipment
Does your business have a lot of sensitive machinery that could get damaged if exposed to too much, or too little humidity? Humidity can cause damage to nearly every part of the machine, such as the electronics and any movable parts. When condensation develops, it can cause corrosion, parts can stick together, and sensitive electronics can become damaged. When machines become damaged, it can be difficult to replace them, especially if something is so small, the damage can’t be seen without magnification, as is the case with some electronics.
Damage to Sensitive Chemicals
Humidity can be a big problem in the pharmaceutical industry because excess moisture can cause damage to the chemicals that they use on a daily basis. For instance, anything that is powdered may begin to stick together and cake, resulting in a loss of product integrity. It can also negatively impact any experiments that involve these chemicals. It’s best to carefully control these environments to minimize this damage.
Poor Air Quality
If there’s excess humidity in the air, it can result in poor air quality. In fact, the lungs seem to work best when air has enough humidity in it. When the air is too moist, this can cause respiratory problems. Most commercial dehumidifiers have the ability to set your desired humidity level. The machine will constantly work to maintain this percentage. As mentioned above, a humidity level of 40-60% appears to be optimal to enhance air quality. It’s also the best level to prevent microorganisms from thriving.
Mold and Mildew Buildup
Excess humidity can cause a buildup of mold and mildew in various places throughout your building. In fact, if it gets to the point where you can actually see or smell the mold, that means that the spores that were present in the air had a chance to settle and multiply. This is an indication that the humidity levels had been high for a while. Managing the moisture level by using a commercial unit can help prevent this from happening.
Do you have excess humidity in the air inside your business? If so, you could be causing damage and not even know it. In order to maintain optimal levels, it’s a good idea to invest in a commercial dehumidifier and to carefully monitor humidity levels so that you can make any necessary adjustments before any problems start to surface.
