Temperature & Humidity Controls
Have you noticed your hardwood floor developing cracks/gaps or slight cupping? You’re not alone, but don’t panic. This is actually quite normal for the extreme climate fluctuations we have in this region. Wood is a natural product and it reacts to temperature and humidity. In the cold winter months the dry air removes moisture and in the summer months, the humid air adds moisture. The goal is to keep the moisture constant so the movement is limited. This requires using humidifying in the winter and dehumidifying in the summer to keep the Relative Humidity between 30% and 50% year-round. Here are some ideas to help you minimize the expansion and contraction of your wood flooring by regulating the temperature and humidity in your home.
COMMON
An average home has the temperature controlled by a thermostat on the wall and no humidity controls besides an air conditioner. Thermostats work well to control the temperature by increasing heat with a furnace and decreasing temperature with an air conditioner. The humidity is controlled in this system only when the AC is on which lowers the temperature and humidity. Otherwise the humidity is unregulated and determined by the weather. These homes get extremely dry in the winter and extremely humid during cool, rainy periods of the summer.
BETTER
A better system involves a thermostat to control temperature and a separate humidifier to increase the humidity. The humidifier can be a stand-alone unit or mounted directly on the furnace. The heating and cooling work the same, but the humidity can also be increased during the dry, heating season. This system must be manually set to turn on when the humidity is too low. This helps, but as the owner, you must manually adjust the humidity levels in the home at the proper time.
BEST
The best system is an integrated unit that has one controller for the temperature and the humidity. These systems typically have a temperature sensor outside the home. This controller regulates the humidity in relation to the outside temperature. This keeps the humidity as high as possible during the heating months without causing too much condensation on the windows. In the summer, humidity can be lowered somewhat, by the controller turning on the AC to lower the humidity without lowering the temperature. Otherwise, the heating and cooling all work the same. This automation requires little from a homeowner besides knowledge of the system and normal, yearly maintenance.
Air exchangers do not control humidity. Air exchangers do only as the name implies. They change out the air in a home for fresh air from outside. The air coming in from the outside can vary greatly from the desired humidity inside the home. If the fresh air is too dry or too humid, the humidity controls will turn on and try to regulate the humidity of the fresh air. Often times the air exchanger and humidity controls will cause problems if too much fresh air is brought in.
The humidity in most homes is most suitable at 35% to 55% year-round. The lower the temperature outside, the lower the humidity should be inside. During extremely cold periods of less than 0 degrees, the humidity may need to be decreased to avoid excessive condensation on the windows. Setting the furnace fan to run continuously helps circulate air inside a home. The continuous airflow helps to control condensation and keep a home’s temperature and humidity more consistent. Most local heating professionals are familiar with these systems. They can outfit a home with a suitable system to appropriately control the temperature and humidity. Hopefully, this information will clear up some of the myths surrounding temperature and humidity control and find a system that will work best for your home.
We offer no guarantee or warranty based off this information. The information contained in this publication represents generally accepted descriptions of the relationship between water and wood. However, wood is a natural material subject to sometimes unpredictable reactions as it gains and loses moisture. As such, it is impossible for any description to encompass all possible reactions. Kensok's Hardwood Floors Incorporated accepts no risk or liability for application of the information contained in this publication. For more information, read our publication “Wood Flooring and Moisture”, or contact the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association), NOFMA (National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association), or your local HVAC professional.