DriSteem Corporation global business development leader, Duncan Curd, explains the importance of maintaining optimal humidity levels in indoor environments.
Maintaining optimal humidity levels in indoor environments is critical to safeguarding health and comfort, preserving building materials, and supporting energy efficiency.
Understanding the significance of indoor humidity and investing in technologies to regulate it can yield substantial benefits for buildings and occupants alike.
Relative humidity (RH) measures the amount of water vapour in the air relative to its maximum capacity at a specific temperature.
Various systems and technologies regulate indoor humidity, such as HVAC systems equipped with humidifiers and dehumidifiers.
These systems can adjust humidity levels based on outdoor weather conditions, occupancy levels, and the space's specific requirements. Advanced humidification technologies, such as those offered by industry leaders like DriSteem, are vital in addressing these diverse factors.
In light of recent global health concerns, such as the spread of airborne viruses and pathogens, indoor humidity management has gained newfound significance in public spaces.
Research has shown that maintaining indoor humidity levels within the recommended range of between 40% and 60% RH can help reduce the transmission of viruses and bacteria.
This underscores the potential health risks of improper humidity control, a matter that should be of utmost concern for public space management, compelling us to take immediate action.
Investing in humidity control systems also aligns with broader sustainability goals.
By optimizing indoor humidity levels, facilities can reduce the risk of mould growth and moisture-related damage to building materials and furnishings, prolonging the lifespan of structures, and reducing the need for costly repairs.
Additionally, by minimizing energy consumption associated with HVAC systems, facilities can lower their carbon footprint and contribute to environmental conservation efforts.
Given the substantial benefits of maintaining optimal indoor humidity levels, a more significant initiative should be to outfit public spaces with humidity control systems.
Offices, schools, and shopping centres are hubs of activity where many people interact daily. Implementing humidity control technologies in these spaces promotes occupant health and comfort and contributes to the preservation of building materials and energy efficiency.
It’s important to understand that investing in technologies to regulate indoor humidity levels is not just a short-term solution. It's a long-term strategy that can have far-reaching implications for occupant health, building preservation, and energy efficiency.
By creating safer, more comfortable, and more sustainable environments, we can reap the benefits of reduced health risks, conservation of building materials, and lower energy consumption for years to come, providing a solid return on investment.
Protecting health, safety, and materials while ensuring energy efficiency is crucial for today's buildings. DriSteem provides innovative humidification solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of different environments.
Whether integrating humidity control solutions in existing structures or implementing them in new buildings, factors like the type of indoor space, energy source, required maintenance, and capacity determine the best technology for each building.
About the Author
Duncan Curd is a graduate of the University of Toronto. His career has been focused around Industrial and Process automation as well as HVAC solutions. He has held a variety of management roles with Siemens including multiple business unit responsibilities. He has been active in the field of humidification as general manager for Nortec (Condair) and currently as global business development leader for DriSteem Corporation.
He has held a range of advisory roles to technical colleges and universities and is active with AHRI’s Educational committee and ASHRAE’s TC5.11 (humidification), TC9.06 and TC170 (health Care facilities) committees.