Hygrometer
What it is
Hygrometers, available at local hardware stores, may be used to measure humidity levels. Some humidifiers contain a built-in humidistat which may be adjusted to the proper moisture level.
Humidity can be measured with a humidity gauge or meter
The latent load is the heat associ- ated with airborne moisture as measured by a hygrometer or humidistat.
Use a moisture or humidity gauge, available at most hardware stores, to see if the humidity in your home is at a good level.
If your dehumidifier does not have a built-in humidistat or has a humidistat that does not show RH levels, consider purchasing a hygrometer (a gauge that measures relative humidity) separately and hang it near the dehumidifier. The hygrometer will measure RH levels and enable you to monitor when to turn the dehumidifier on and off.
Its parts
Related pages
- Glossary: Hygrometer
Its entry, and the guide's pages that use it.
Sources
- U.S. EPA. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Use and Care of Home Humidifiers.
- U.S. EPA. Mold Course Chapter 2: Why and Where Mold Grows.
- International Code Council. Reviewing HVAC Designs for Compliance with ACCA Manual S (ICC Building Safety Journal).
- U.S. EPA. Care for Your Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality.
- ENERGY STAR. Dehumidifiers.