How do I measure the humidity level in my apartment?

Question

I have never experienced anything like this until my new apartment. I get dry flaky skin & when I wake up in the morning dry eyes

Answer 1

The first 2 posters gave you the correct solution to your problem, but not answer the question.

The instrument used to measure the humidity level is called a hygrometer. The bad news is that these are not simple insturments and the ones you find for sale retail are notoriously inacurate and unreliable. Nice decorations and conversation pieces but largely useless.

Even if you had a hygrometer and it was guaranteed accurate to 1% or better, then what? RH (Relative Humidty) is just that, relative. A more meaninful measurement is dew point. The amount moisture or water vapor that air can hold is depandant on several varibles, the most influential being temperature. Say it's 12 degrees outside as it is here today. 12 degree air can hold very little water before it condenses or turns to frost. The RH might be 90%, but who knows? As the cold dry air leaks into your home, it only has so much water in it. This 12 degree air is now warmed to 65 or 70 and the RH drops to single digits. To raise the dew point you have to add water vapor to the air. This is sometimes done naturally throught activities like showering, cooking, boiling water or evaporation from toilet bowls. Sometimes it's not enough and water has to be added with a humidifier.

But be aware, all humidifiers are not created equal. They all add water to the air by pumping a mist into the air through your HVAC system, or through forced evaporation. I have one that holds about 5 gallons and forces air through a fibrous belt that rolls through a bath. This thing is effective, but a real PITA to maintain. You MUST be aware that the water if not treated can end up cause more problems than it cures. Mold and mildew can present problems to people with respiratory problems or cause new ones you didn't know you had. Overuse can saturate the air and soften drywall.

I suggest you do a google search on this subject and get more info before you run off to WalMart or HomeDepot and waste a bunch of $$ on a humidifier. Maybe a tag-sale $2 lobster pot simmering all day on the stove top will be enough.

This will pass when the cold weather is gone, assuming this is a cold dry weather related problem.

Answer 2

Humans can be comfortable in humidity levels as low as 30%, while mold spores and dust mites (as well as the American cockroach) prefer humidity levels of over 60%. Lower your humidity levels to 40% - 60% to keep the space healthy. Incidentally, a dry space is also more energy-efficient, as much of the work of air conditioning systems is to dehumidify the air as it cools.

Answer 3

get a humidity reader at lowes or homedepot or get a humidifier.

Answer 4

You need to get a humidifier.

Answer 5

i have a combination thermostat-humidity gage
you can pick them up anywhere