HOW CAN I MEASURE INDOOR HUMIDITY

Hygrometers are devices that measure humidity in the air.  They have multiple uses in industry, museums, and science.  They are also a useful tool for the homeowner to measure humidity in the home.  Hygrometers are readily available almost anywhere you find thermometers.

Hygrometers, like most devices, come in various price ranges. The lower-priced devices are mechanical and sometimes slower to respond than the digital, battery-operated versions, which cost more. Also, expect some variation in accuracy. Once I lined up 3 and found 3 different humidity levels reported for the same spot at the same time. Most people use the hygrometer as a general guide.  Exact, finely calibrated readings are not necessary.

Place your hygrometer where the humidity symptoms are most obvious, in the room that you are most concerned about, or where your family spends the most time. Never place it near a heat source of any sort because that will skew the reading (remember warm air can hold more moisture than cold air). Don’t place your hygrometer near a radiator, a heat register, chimney, or in any other location where it could be affected by direct heat.

IT'S HARD TO BE PATIENT

Hygrometers are slow to work their magic and produce readings. It can take a couple of hours for your hygrometer to adjust to a new location or to a sudden change in humidity. Knowledge is power, and your hygrometer can help track your home’s humidity and keep your family and your home safe and healthy.

Go to Psychrometer (how to measure outdoor humidity)