Hygrometers and Humidistats
Devices for Ensuring Proper Humidity Levels
Hygrometers and humidistats are a necessary for the moderation of your humidity. A hygrometer is an older form of instrument, with the earliest having been invented by Leonardo Da Vinci. You might also think of hygrometers as being part of humidistats. A humidistat is a newer form of the technology that gives a readable display. A hygrometer is usually a more primitive hand-held device.
You might use a hygrometer to measure your home’s humidity before deciding to buy a humidifier, and you would likely use a humidistat as part of the ongoing monitoring of humidity within your home. Humidistats are used to control the humidity (not only measure it).
Your home’s humidity should be 30 percent to 40 percent for optimal health benefits. Anything higher may contribute to the growth of mold and bacteria.
Most humidistats today are digital and can be used to measure the humidity of indoor or outdoor air.
A humidistat comes with a sensor wire which goes outside (through a window). Things to look for in a humidistat include:
- A unit which checks the humidity and compensates frequently.
- Dust-proof switches.
- Wall or duct mountable.
- One that is easy to read and understand.
- Digital varieties of humidistats help with window condensation.
- Adjustable to at least 60 percent humidity.
- Temperatures in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
- A good warranty.
Digital humidistats are pretty much the mainstay of humidifier technology. Many types of humidifiers come with built-in humidistats that are easy to read and understand. It is worth buying a humidifier with a humidistat to fully regulate the humidity in your home.
Did you know?
There is a hygrometer that uses blonde, virgin (untreated) human hair as a testing strip; this employs the theory that the hair expands and contracts in response to relative humidity.
Humidistats are also called hygrostats.
