What Are The Average Home Humidity Levels in Alberta?
The Alberta climate is known for its extremes — from the bitter cold in winter to hot, dry air in the summer — but one thing you won’t find is a lot of humidity! Most parts of Alberta could be classified as semi-arid, but there is a wide variation in temperature and precipitation across the province, with generally warmer and drier conditions in the south compared to the north.
Did you know that, on average, January has the highest relative humidity in Edmonton? This may come as a surprise, especially since most people associate high humidity with warm temperatures. The key is understanding the difference between absolute humidity and relative humidity. It can help explain why indoor air can feel so dry even when outdoor relative humidity readings appear relatively high.
What is absolute humidity?
Absolute humidity describes the actual amount of water vapour in the air, generally expressed as the mass of water vapour per volume of air, usually in grams per kilogram.
What is relative humidity?
Relative humidity is the percentage of water vapour present in the air compared to the maximum it could hold under the same temperature.
When relative humidity reaches 100%, the air is saturated with water vapour at that temperature. Because warmer air can hold considerably more water vapour than colder air, the same relative humidity percentage can represent very different amounts of moisture depending on the temperature.
In Edmonton, a relative humidity of 60% in January, where the average low temperature dips to -16 degrees Celsius, won’t feel the same as 60% relative humidity in July, where the average high temperature is around 23 degrees Celsius.
So, where does Alberta fit on the humidity map?
Well, compared to our neighbours along the Pacific coast or even those living near the Great Lakes in Ontario and Quebec, Albertans deal with dry conditions most of the year— relatively and absolutely!
This is why maintaining ideal indoor humidity is less about choosing one setting for the entire year and more about monitoring relative humidity and adjusting it as conditions change.
What Is the Optimal Humidity Level For Homes In Alberta?
Health Canada recommends you keep your home’s indoor relative humidity levels between 30 and 50%. It may be easier to maintain humidity within the ideal range during the summer months, but it’s difficult to achieve proper indoor humidity in the winter.
While it might be tempting to blast the warm, humid air and create your own tropical paradise at home, wintertime home humidity levels should be maintained around 25-35% to help prevent condensation on windows.
Natural Resources Canada explains that condensation becomes more likely as outdoor temperatures fall and indoor humidity rises. If you see persistent condensation or frost on windows, lower the indoor humidity and investigate other possible moisture or ventilation issues.
A hygrometer or humidity sensor can help you monitor your home’s relative humidity rather than relying on how the air feels. NRCan also recommends monitoring indoor humidity, with condensation on windows and excessive static electricity serving as possible signs that humidity levels may need adjustment.
How Can I Help Maintain These Ideal Humidity Levels In My Home?
Any moist indoor air you may have is often cycled out of your home by the increased air exchange from your furnace or heat recovery system as it heats your home — a whole-home humidifier can help.
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) brings outdoor air into the home while exhausting stale indoor air and recovering some of the heat from the outgoing air. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) can also transfer some moisture between the incoming and outgoing air streams, helping regulate humidity. You can learn more in Health Canada’s guide to ventilation and the indoor environment.
Compared to a portable unit that only humidifies one room at a time and needs regular refilling, a whole-home humidifier works with your furnace and delivers humidity throughout your home using the air handler or furnace fan. Most modern thermostats, such as the Honeywell VisionPRO IAQ or the Nest Smart Thermostat, control both temperature and humidity levels, making it easy to maintain an ideal humidity level in your house.
When used appropriately, a whole-home humidifier is an important component of your home’s HVAC system, which may also include your furnace, air conditioner, and air cleaner/purifier.
Two Types of Whole-Home Humidifiers
There are two main types of whole-house humidifiers:
Benefits of Maintaining Ideal Home Humidity Levels In Alberta
Sometimes humidity gets a bad rap. Excess moisture from high humidity is associated with wild hair (think Monica from Friends when they go to Barbados), damp towels that never dry, or more serious problems such as mold and mildew.
However, when the proper humidity level in your home is achieved, you’ll enjoy some great benefits, these include:
More humidity is not always better. Excess moisture can lead to condensation and mould. Health Canada notes that mould exposure can cause eye, nose and throat irritation and can worsen asthma symptoms in some people.
Regular Maintenance For Optimal Indoor Humidity & Air Quality
Maintaining appropriate home humidity is one part of creating a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. And for families who are relying on the humidity in their house to help with respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies, regular maintenance and cleaning are essential.
If you use a whole-home humidifier, include it in your regular HVAC maintenance routine and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning, inspection and replacement of components such as water panels or filters.
You should also watch for signs of excess moisture, including persistent condensation on windows, damp surfaces, musty odours or visible mould. If you add a whole-home humidifier to your HVAC system, make sure your regular maintenance routine includes your furnace, air conditioner, ducts, and humidifier.
