Exploring the Relationship Between Humidity and Temperature
There is a strong connection between relative humidity (RH) and air temperature. Commercial humidifiers, industrial humidifiers, and evaporative coolers are ideal ways to balance out working conditions to make them as comfortable as possible for this reason. That said, it is essential to learn the basics of this process to understand better why proper humidity control is so important. Today, let’s explore the relationship between humidity and temperature.
Ambient and Actual Temperature
Ever notice the weather channel stating that it will feel hotter than it really is on a humid day? That’s because it’s true: air moisture content really can make an environment feel warmer than it is. This is due to the fact that warm air can hold more water vapour than cold air, decreasing the relative humidity. Thermal comfort then comes into play since our bodies are highly sensitive to temperature and air moisture fluctuations as a result of evolution and genetics. Therefore, the actual temperature will always be lower than the ambient temperature unless if there is little to no moisture content in the air.
Condensation is directly influenced by surrounding ambient temperatures. When there is humidity, it tells us that the air in an environment has already absorbed as much moisture as it can hold. This excess moisture then has nowhere to go other than to surfaces of objects in the environment. As the relative humidity level rises past 60 percent, this will lead to further increased condensation buildup. Therefore, the risk of damage to electrical equipment increases, as does the opportunity for mould spores and other harmful bacteria to spread. This is also known as high relative humidity, and it can make everything from health and wellness to temperature control a nightmare if not handled adequately.
The process of evaporation is also the result of current ambient temperatures in an environment. If the relative humidity level drops below 40 percent, water is more quickly evaporated, and the air then retains little to no moisture content. This is called low relative humidity, and it can influence everything from skin, hair, and eye irritation and discomfort to reduced airborne infection control and more. Simply put, if there is balanced relative humidity, then comfort and health are better maintained. Therefore, it is very important to invest in proper humidity control.
Taking Control of Indoor Conditions
Are you overseeing factory production or an office full of busy employees working away on computers? If so, controlling interior temperature as well as relative humidity is a must, as evidenced above. By respecting the condensation and evaporation processes, you can use the ambient temperature to your property’s advantage, safeguarding operational efficiency by directly influencing any fluctuations or changes in the atmosphere indoors. Reduce employee absenteeism, increase comfort and motivate your team to do the best work possible, free of distractions or issues forming a barrier to optimal productivity. Proper humidity control also protects against instances of electrostatic discharge, protecting both electrical equipment as well as valuable data that could otherwise be corrupted.
Choosing the Right Humidifier
Fortunately, there are solutions out there that can help you save on stress as well as energy expenses in the long run. For instance, Condair Industrial humidifiers and commercial humidifiers are designed for a wide variety of load capacities, making them a worthwhile investment for any size of business. Almost any application can take advantage of increased energy savings due to their highly efficient design and unique filtering systems. In addition, complementing these systems with evaporative coolers can go a long way in optimizing your climate control setup, making temperature and/or humidity spikes a thing of the past.
Exploring the relationship between humidity and temperature can be a little complex, as every application has a unique operating environment. However, in some cases, lower temperatures may not feel as cold as higher temperatures simply because of the amount of moisture content in the air – it’s all down to the measurements you currently have! For more information on installing a commercial humidifier, industrial humidifier, or evaporative cooler, contact us at Condair today.