Humidity is the concentration of water vapor present in the air around us. Whilst Absolute Humidity is a measure of the quantity of water vapor in the air, we tend to use Relative Humidity to help indicate the current level of moisture in the air, relative to its maximum capacity.

For instance, when the Relative Humidity is at 50%, it means the air around us contains 50% of the moisture it could potentially hold.

Here in the UK, the recommended humidity thresholds for our homes ranges between 40%-60% during our summer months and 30%-50% throughout winter.

When humidity levels fall outside of the lower and higher safety thresholds we can become exposed to a variety of issues that can affect our health, our property and belongings.

High humidity can be identified when condensation is present on a window in the morning or when air is filled with a musty odour. This type of environment is particularly harmful to asthma sufferers and anyone diagnosed with COPD, as it creates a breeding ground for dust mites and promotes mold growth.

High humidity reduces our ability to stay cool naturally through sweating, causing fatigue, dehydration, muscle cramps and heat rashes. In extreme cases, high humidity can cause heat strokes, fainting and heat rashes.

In recent years, humidity has contributed to a record number of heat related mortalities.

Air conditioners operating in Cooling Mode can maintain room humidity levels at between 30%-50% using a condensing process that converts water vapour into a liquid as warm air passes over the indoor fan coil.

The Dry Mode feature on all on all residential air conditioners uses the same condensing process to reduce humidity, but without cooling, allowing the system to operate at a much lower speed to help save energy.

To help maintain a safer and healthier living environment in our homes, it is recommended that all households should posess a hygrometer.

Hygrometers, whether digital or analogue, can be purchased relatively cheaply online or from most home appliance retailers.