When it comes to keeping your home damp-, mould-, and condensation-free, maintaining a normal humidity level plays a key role. But what is 'normal', and how do you manage it?
The answer will vary slightly depending on the season, and while there are plenty of free ways to keep your levels in check, the easiest way is often by investing in the best dehumidifier or humidifier.
Below, air quality experts reveal what normal humidity levels look like and whether your home could be prone to the issues mentioned above – plus how to check them in the first place.
What are normal humidity levels?
“The average humidity inside UK homes should be around the 50-55%rh range and be slightly lower in winter months,” says Chris Michael, Managing Director of Meaco. “Maintaining a humidity target of 40% in the winter will keep condensation from forming on your windows.”
“Moist air takes much more energy to heat than dry air, so it’s worth aiming for a humidity of approximately 40-60% inside the property," agrees architect Paul Testa of HEM Architects.
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Chris and his partner Michelle started Meaco in 1991. Meaco is now regarded internationally as a major player in the dehumidifier industry selling to 20+ countries throughout Europe, North America and South Africa.
Architect Paul is the director of HEM Architects and a specialist in low-energy design. HEM Architects are well-versed in designing sustainable, energy-efficient new builds and extension schemes. He has also just completed an eco retrofit to his family home.
Why is it important to achieve ideal humidity?
You might not realise it, but the humidity levels in your house can actually cause all kinds of unwelcome issues, such as window condensation and damp.
“Excess humidity in your home not only disturbs your environment (with mould spores or by creating musty smells), but it can also damage your furniture, decorations or the structure of your home,” says Chris Michael. “Excess humidity causes mould and condensation, which can be found on windows or areas where water evaporates frequently.”
But as well as problems that can damage your home, too much humidity can also bring on or exacerbate all kinds of health issues too.
“Health problems can arise from high humidity, for instance mould spores and dust mites that develop in these conditions can worsen symptoms of allergies and can cause coughing, itchy eyes or other respiratory problems,” warns Chris Michael.
What are the signs of high humidity in a house?
If you haven’t previously given much thought to the humidity levels in your house but are experiencing any of the following, it may well be time to start taking notice of them:
- Condensation
- Damp
- Mould in bathrooms and elsewhere around the house
- Cold air
What are the signs of low humidity in a house?
“Like excess moisture, too dry an environment can cause problems to health and home too,” warns Chris Michael.
Chris says to look out for the following tell-tale signs of low humidity:
- Blocked noses and sore throats: “Persistent sneezing and coughing isn’t necessarily an indication that you’re coming down with a cold but could be a sign of low indoor humidity,” says Chris. “Remember, your pets are also susceptible to the negative effects of cold dry air and may also fall victim to the odd cough or sneeze.”
- Dry, itchy skin: Common in winter anyway, but they could also point to signs of low humidity.
- Cracks appearing in wooden floors and furniture: “Creaking floorboards or cracks in wooden furniture are not signs that the house is getting old and needs refurbishing,” says Chris Michael. “The lack of moisture causes the wood to contract, resulting in warped flooring or cracks in furniture.”
- Static electricity: Flyaway hair and frequent static shocks? This could be an indication that the room needs moisture.
- Out of tune wooden instruments: “If you’ve been practising for hours on your piano or guitar and the sound is slightly out of tune – you’re not necessarily to blame,” says Chris. “Wooden instruments need to be stored in a place with well-balanced humidity levels to prevent warping and splitting.”
How do you measure humidity in a house?
It is all well and good knowing what the humidity in a room or in your house should be, but how do you actually measure it? There is one piece of equipment that can help here.
“Indoor humidity can be measured by using a piece of equipment called a hygrometer, which is a handheld device that can be purchased online or from a DIY store,” advises Chris Michael.
Sounds simple, but not all hygrometers are created equal.
“Lots of customers come to us having ‘measured’ the humidity in their home using a cheap hygrometer they have bought. Unfortunately, the majority of the time these are very inaccurate," says Chris. "To measure the humidity in the room accurately an expensive hygrometer will be the only thing that does the job – other than the built-in hygrometers inside a dehumidifier.”
So, before pulling out the credit card to get your hands on a hygrometer, consider investing in a dehumidifier instead. Not only can they measure the humidity in a room, but they can also solve issues such as condensation caused by the problem.
“A dehumidifier is the best and most economical way to monitor and resolve damp related issues in the home,” confirms Chris.
“Dehumidifiers have a small electronic sensor, called a humidistat, located behind the filter where the air comes into the dehumidifier from the room,” continues Chris. “This is the most sensible place for it to sample the air. The humidistat does more than accurately measure the relative humidity – it regulates the humidity by sensing when the dehumidifier should run.”
Are dehumidifiers an expensive way to measure humidity?
When considering purchasing a dehumidifier to measure humidity, reduce condensation and prevent mould and damp, there are several factors to consider – including the damage they could prevent.
The newest dehumidifiers have been designed to work as efficiently as possible to reduce the amount of energy they use.
“Quite deliberately, dehumidifiers do not try to be any more accurate than +/-5%rh because they do not want to be turning themselves on and off too frequently if the relative humidity is hovering around the target relative humidity,” explains Chris Michael. “Avoiding this sort of on/off/on/off control makes the dehumidifier last longer. As long as the filter is kept clean, then the dehumidifier will give you a reliable room reading.
“When the humidistat detects the moisture level is above the desired level, the dehumidifier will switch on and work hard to reduce it until it meets the target,” continues Chris. “Once reached, it will turn itself off and only come on again if it detects an increase. This energy-saving feature is one of the main reasons why dehumidifiers are proving to be so popular during the cost of living crisis to lower energy bills.”
Dehumidifier running costs really vary depending on the model's power rating and how much you pay for electricity per kWh. As of April to June 2026, following the energy price guarantee, the national average price of electricity is 24.67 pence per kWh.
Dehumidifiers are rated in Watts (W) that indicate the amount of power they use – the higher the power, the more energy a dehumidifier uses.
So, a model such as the Dry Arete® One 10L Dehumidifier/Air Purifier from Meaco has a power consumption of 151 watts at 20°C and 60% relative humidity. Using the calculation 0.151kWh x 24.67p, you can work out that it would cost around 3p per hour to run.
How can you lower humidity without a dehumidifier?
Wondering how to reduce humidity in a house without a dehumidifier? While this is the best solution, there are other methods to try instead of or alongside it, including:
- Implementing some natural ventilation methods (such as fitting trickle vents)
- Drying your clothes outside where possible
- Opening windows frequently
- Fitting extractor fans in the kitchen and bathrooms
- Lowering the temperature when showering
- Using a fan to increase air circulation
- In bathing spaces, investing in bathroom plants that absorb moisture
As we’ve discovered, by keeping your home's humidity at a normal level, you’ll help prevent unwanted issues such as damp, mould and condensation, which can cause damage to your health as well as your home.
For more expert advice, read our guide on how to improve indoor air quality and the difference between a humidifier vs dehumidifier.
