What level of humidity would be considered dangerous you a home?

[Malcolm_C]

I'm just courious

[Looper121]

Not quite sure we can understand that question...

[Malcolm_C]

What humidity level would be dangerous to the woodworking of a home. I know Mr. 4000 took his system down due to damage to his house.

[SawCJack00]

according to a computer dude friend of mine, 55% is the level at which humidity will start to damage electrical equipment, so I try to stay below this. Not sure what level is truly safe in regards to mold etc.

[Looper121]

Aha!!















I have no idea...

[RGibson]

60% humidity it allso makes a different how air is moving in the house. 400 cfm per 12000 btu of AC. A high wall return well help with air movement and humidity. A good humidity instrument is a good place to start. I used a Durotherm it is made in Germany cost $50.00. RGibson

[RGibson]

The level of humidity considered to high in a home in the the summer time is 70% RGibson

[AcroSteve]

Originally posted by RGibson
A high wall return well help with air movement and humidity. A good humidity instrument is a good place to start.

The room my tank is in already had a floor level return in it. I added an additional high wall return just as insurance.(My system was a little undersized on the returns already).

Can't even tell I ahve 1000W of lights shining on a 80* radiator.:D

I think the 55% figure is a little low for problems to develop.

[kbd]

Yes - I think 55 % is a little low to be bad - actually it's quite a healthy level I think !

My house gets up to about 75 % if the weather is really wet. At around that level, some of the more poorly ventilated rooms start to smell a little musty (easily fixed with ventilation.....doesn't reduce the humidity - that's in the atmosphere).

In winter, it can fall to around 30 % in cold weather - which is horribly dry.

So also reckon try and stay below something like 70 % (relative humidity).

kim

[RGibson]

It is important that the relative humidity meter be chech for accuracy every 6 mos thay can read wrong. RGibson

[RGibson]

Humidity will not be the same in different parts of your home, even on the same floor . RGibson

[Eric Boerner]

Lets just say, 85%-100% humidity is not a good thing for a basement tank. That's where Mr. 4000 was sitting at.

Mold starts growing at 75%+. Thats when you need to start worrying about possible health concerns.

[Weatherman]

An important thing to consider, for either the effect of humidity on mold formation, or it's impact on electronic circuits, is what's called "condensation temperature" or "dewpoint temperature".

If you can get the temperature of an object in a room to fall below the dewpoint temperature of the air in the room, water will start to condense on that object. That's why mold formation is a real problem in warm wet climates. The dewpoint temperature of the air is higher than the temperature of air conditioning units and ducts in our homes, so water condenses on those items and allows mold to form.

Just for quick reference, the dewpoint temperature of air at 72 degrees F and 85% relative humidity is 67F. That means that water will condense on any surface that is 67F or colder.

A nice tool to calculate dewpoint from relative humidity and temperature is available at:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kinetic/relhum.html#c4

[David Grigor]

To clarrify: You don't want to go over 55% in a climate controlled computer room with high end mainframe equipement.

So I try to use that as a baseline.


I have a 320g tank plus couple of 40g breeders and a 50g in the basement. I have trouble keeping below 70% even with a dehumidifier running practically non-stop. Planning to put some covers on some of the tank to try and help.

If can't solve by next spring, I am going to have to downsize to a 150 or 180g max.

I can't keep any tools in the basement without them getting ruined.

[DerekW]

We sell hardwoos floors and they reccomend a minimum of 40-60% to ensure no problems with the wood. Health and Welfare Canada reccommends the same range for staying healthy...Less colds, etc.
I would guess the 75%+ range is accurate

[Bryan]

Just to add to that, there is a way of calibrating elecrtronic humidity monitors by using a mixture of salt and water in a ziploc bag. I can't remember what the quantities were(have to look it up), but it does work.


Originally posted by RGibson
It is important that the relative humidity meter be chech for accuracy every 6 mos thay can read wrong. RGibson

[AcroSteve]

Originally posted by Bryan
Just to add to that, there is a way of calibrating elecrtronic humidity monitors by using a mixture of salt and water in a ziploc bag. I can't remember what the quantities were(have to look it up), but it does work.

I would like more information on doing this. Anybody help us out?

[RGibson]

I used a Bendix psychron but thay cost to much for home use. A sling-type will do the job at a lower cost. Taylor-Bacharach make them and you will fine at Graingers. With reef tanks you need to know the true humidity in your home. the cost of a sling-type is worth it. Humidity can be control but first you most know what it is. RGibson 30 years playing with water.

[Bryan]

Ah, I found it

http://www.ecigardepot.com/CalibrateHygrometer.htm



Originally posted by stranglehold
I would like more information on doing this. Anybody help us out?

[kbd]

Originally posted by RGibson
It is important that the relative humidity meter be chech for accuracy every 6 mos thay can read wrong. RGibson

I am sure that you're right but how do you check them ?

kim

[Bryan]

http://www.ecigardepot.com/CalibrateHygrometer.htm


Originally posted by kbd
I am sure that you're right but how do you check them ?

kim