I have a 3 year old house and I'm starting to question the inside air
quality. The house in in Houston TX and as typical its wall to wall carpet.
No pets, no smokers.

I'm noticing that during the day time my wife and I are fine while at work,
when we get home and get ready to go to sleep, our throats get slightly
chapped. Just enough to cause a cough.

My first thought is the humidity is too low so I bought a humidity meter
form home depot. It bottoms out at 30-35% at night. Is that too low? How
do I get the humidity higher automatically whithout using a protable
humidifier.

I was thinking it was caused by a post nasal drip, but we visited a friends
house and neither of us had this problem while sleeping over there
(Lafayette LA).

We have aired the house out several times with no change.

What sort of air quality testing should I do to determine if I have some
kind of air problem.

dust?, mold? humidity too low?

On Tue, 27 Mar 2007 07:07:53 -0500, "Mook Johnson"
wrote:

I have a 3 year old house and I'm starting to question the inside air
quality. The house in in Houston TX and as typical its wall to wall carpet.
No pets, no smokers.

I'm noticing that during the day time my wife and I are fine while at work,
when we get home and get ready to go to sleep, our throats get slightly
chapped. Just enough to cause a cough.

You could be reacting to something in the carpet.

| My first thought is the humidity is too low so I bought a humidity meter
| form home depot. It bottoms out at 30-35% at night. Is that too low? How
| do I get the humidity higher automatically whithout using a protable
| humidifier.

that's on the lower side of acceptable.


| I was thinking it was caused by a post nasal drip, but we visited a
friends
| house and neither of us had this problem while sleeping over there
| (Lafayette LA).
|
| We have aired the house out several times with no change.
|
| What sort of air quality testing should I do to determine if I have some
| kind of air problem.
|
| dust?, mold? humidity too low?

well, there's some simple things you could do to test each of those.
1. Give your friends the humidity meter, and see what their humidity level
is.
2. buy a $30 cool mist evaporative humidifier and use it for a week. I know
you said this isn't a solution, but it can be used to diagnose the problem.
3. buy a $30 hepa air purifier and try that for a week.

If any of the above make your symptoms go away, it should direct you to the
appropriate long term solution.

j

On Mar 27, 8:07 am, "Mook Johnson" wrote:
I have a 3 year old house and I'm starting to question the inside air
quality. The house in in Houston TX and as typical its wall to wall carpet.
No pets, no smokers.

I'm noticing that during the day time my wife and I are fine while at work,
when we get home and get ready to go to sleep, our throats get slightly
chapped. Just enough to cause a cough.

My first thought is the humidity is too low so I bought a humidity meter
form home depot. It bottoms out at 30-35% at night. Is that too low? How
do I get the humidity higher automatically whithout using a protable
humidifier.

I was thinking it was caused by a post nasal drip, but we visited a friends
house and neither of us had this problem while sleeping over there
(Lafayette LA).

We have aired the house out several times with no change.

What sort of air quality testing should I do to determine if I have some
kind of air problem.

dust?, mold? humidity too low?

My experience, given lots of allergies, is that 30-35% RH is not a
problem,
in winter. Higher than that, and condensation on some (high-e) windows
comes into play; may not be a problem in Houston, though.

Various humidifiers can be installed, with humidistat at central air-
mover,
as it suits you and your budget.

Dust and mold could be removed with an electrostatic air filter,
in the air-mover, after the mechanical filter. Or you could opt for
local
HEPA filter(s).

Outgassing from lots of stuff could be a problem, too. Filters won't
help there. Air-to-air heat-exchanger, again at central air-mover,
can serve to exchange inside air with outside, on a continuous
basis.

I'd ask reputable HVAC company for options re humidification,
filtering, air-exchange. Might be simplest to do it as a package
deal. This sort of thing has been covered on previous "This Old
House" shows, if that's any help.

HTH,
J

"Josh" wrote in message
...
| My first thought is the humidity is too low so I bought a humidity meter
| form home depot. It bottoms out at 30-35% at night. Is that too low?
How
| do I get the humidity higher automatically whithout using a protable
| humidifier.

that's on the lower side of acceptable.


| I was thinking it was caused by a post nasal drip, but we visited a
friends
| house and neither of us had this problem while sleeping over there
| (Lafayette LA).
|
| We have aired the house out several times with no change.
|
| What sort of air quality testing should I do to determine if I have some
| kind of air problem.
|
| dust?, mold? humidity too low?

well, there's some simple things you could do to test each of those.
1. Give your friends the humidity meter, and see what their humidity level
is.
2. buy a $30 cool mist evaporative humidifier and use it for a week. I
know
you said this isn't a solution, but it can be used to diagnose the
problem.
3. buy a $30 hepa air purifier and try that for a week.

If any of the above make your symptoms go away, it should direct you to
the
appropriate long term solution.

j



Good suggestions. Also try the top 3M filtrete furnace return filter to see
if that does anything.

On Mar 27, 7:07 am, "Mook Johnson" wrote:
I have a 3 year old house and I'm starting to question the inside air
quality. The house in in Houston TX and as typical its wall to wall carpet.
No pets, no smokers.

I'm noticing that during the day time my wife and I are fine while at work,
when we get home and get ready to go to sleep, our throats get slightly
chapped. Just enough to cause a cough.

My first thought is the humidity is too low so I bought a humidity meter
form home depot. It bottoms out at 30-35% at night. Is that too low? How
do I get the humidity higher automatically whithout using a protable
humidifier.

I was thinking it was caused by a post nasal drip, but we visited a friends
house and neither of us had this problem while sleeping over there
(Lafayette LA).

We have aired the house out several times with no change.

What sort of air quality testing should I do to determine if I have some
kind of air problem.

dust?, mold? humidity too low?

Carpet is a major culprit in indoor air quality issues. Many sufferers
have their carpet remove and replace with solid floor. Your humidity
sound OK and I would not reccomend a humdifier for the Houston are.
Low humidity will be short lived in houston.

For many years I have use a stand-a -one hepa filter by honeywell. I
keep it next to my bed and it makes a tremendous difference. Sorry I
can't answer the question about air testing. It should be possible
but I haven't heard of it.

If you go to an allergy specialist they can narrow down exactly what
allergen is causing the problem. At least that will give you some
solid information.

Might want to try sleeping in a different room. Use sleeping bags, but don't
use any of your bedding.

If that solves problem, maybe something in bedroom? Laundry detergent?
Bedding? Wife?

Might also want to try a stand alone HEPA air cleaner. I have allergies and
this really helps during the spring. Note that my allergies are most
noticeable in the evening. in the spring (right now). And I did not have
allergies until I was about 35!

I start coughing and when worse my eyes start itching. Then I take an
allergy pill (over the counter), turn on my HEPA air cleaner, then I'm fine
after awhile.

Also go here...

http://www.pollen.com

....enter your zip code and see if the pollen levels are high when you have
these problems.

Mook Johnson wrote:
I have a 3 year old house and I'm starting to question the inside air
quality. The house in in Houston TX and as typical its wall to wall carpet.
No pets, no smokers.

I'm noticing that during the day time my wife and I are fine while at work,
when we get home and get ready to go to sleep, our throats get slightly
chapped. Just enough to cause a cough.

My first thought is the humidity is too low so I bought a humidity meter
form home depot. It bottoms out at 30-35% at night. Is that too low? How
do I get the humidity higher automatically whithout using a protable
humidifier.

I was thinking it was caused by a post nasal drip, but we visited a friends
house and neither of us had this problem while sleeping over there
(Lafayette LA).

We have aired the house out several times with no change.

What sort of air quality testing should I do to determine if I have some
kind of air problem.

dust?, mold? humidity too low?




Are you new to the area? Pets in home with previous owner? What kind
of heat? AC? Sleep with windows open? 35% is low end of normal. It's
the season, here in FL, for oaks to bloom and cover everything with
yellow pollen. I don't have any other allergies, but the stuff makes me
sneeze. If you have postnasal drip, it is a sign of sinus problems and
would be most likely cause of a cough.

It is a little odd that dry air would make you cough. More likely you
are exposed to some irritant. Chemicals or dust at work? Could cause
delayed reaction. First thought is to have heating system and any gas
appliances checked. Then, to shampoo carpets.

The humidity is that low even when the outside humidity is in the 80% range.
The A/C is really drying out the air.


"Lawrence" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Mar 27, 7:07 am, "Mook Johnson" wrote:
I have a 3 year old house and I'm starting to question the inside air
quality. The house in in Houston TX and as typical its wall to wall
carpet.
No pets, no smokers.

I'm noticing that during the day time my wife and I are fine while at
work,
when we get home and get ready to go to sleep, our throats get slightly
chapped. Just enough to cause a cough.

My first thought is the humidity is too low so I bought a humidity meter
form home depot. It bottoms out at 30-35% at night. Is that too low?
How
do I get the humidity higher automatically whithout using a protable
humidifier.

I was thinking it was caused by a post nasal drip, but we visited a
friends
house and neither of us had this problem while sleeping over there
(Lafayette LA).

We have aired the house out several times with no change.

What sort of air quality testing should I do to determine if I have some
kind of air problem.

dust?, mold? humidity too low?

Carpet is a major culprit in indoor air quality issues. Many sufferers
have their carpet remove and replace with solid floor. Your humidity
sound OK and I would not reccomend a humdifier for the Houston are.
Low humidity will be short lived in houston.

For many years I have use a stand-a -one hepa filter by honeywell. I
keep it next to my bed and it makes a tremendous difference. Sorry I
can't answer the question about air testing. It should be possible
but I haven't heard of it.

If you go to an allergy specialist they can narrow down exactly what
allergen is causing the problem. At least that will give you some
solid information.

I've done tht with the 3m 1500 filtair super duper $30 jobbies. no change.

Is there some kind of air quality tester or service I can have to tell me
what the air guality is in the house?

Surely something can measure dust, mold or pollen particle count,
outgassing, etc etc.




"Art" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Josh" wrote in message
...
| My first thought is the humidity is too low so I bought a humidity meter
| form home depot. It bottoms out at 30-35% at night. Is that too low?
How
| do I get the humidity higher automatically whithout using a protable
| humidifier.

that's on the lower side of acceptable.


| I was thinking it was caused by a post nasal drip, but we visited a
friends
| house and neither of us had this problem while sleeping over there
| (Lafayette LA).
|
| We have aired the house out several times with no change.
|
| What sort of air quality testing should I do to determine if I have
some
| kind of air problem.
|
| dust?, mold? humidity too low?

well, there's some simple things you could do to test each of those.
1. Give your friends the humidity meter, and see what their humidity
level
is.
2. buy a $30 cool mist evaporative humidifier and use it for a week. I
know
you said this isn't a solution, but it can be used to diagnose the
problem.
3. buy a $30 hepa air purifier and try that for a week.

If any of the above make your symptoms go away, it should direct you to
the
appropriate long term solution.

j



Good suggestions. Also try the top 3M filtrete furnace return filter to
see if that does anything.

On Mar 27, 6:17 pm, "Mook Johnson" wrote:
The humidity is that low even when the outside humidity is in the 80% range.
The A/C is really drying out the air.

Got it. I don't have any allergies so I guess I'm lucky. The
consensus in this group is that you are on the low side which has
surprised me.

Here in Minnesota we heat our home 10 months of the year. In the dead
of winter everything is frozen solid ouside. I have super low
humidity during that time of year in my place on the order of 10 to 15
percent. Some folk use humdifiers but I never have. The only problem
I have is a cracked lip which requires treatment each year but it's no
big deal.

Thats why I thought 35 percent sounded like a high number. I guess
not. It sounds kind of crazy to be down in Houston maybe the most
humid city there is and have to add a humidifer to your system after
going to all that trouble to remove the heat and humidity from the
air.

"Mook Johnson" wrote in message
...
I have a 3 year old house and I'm starting to question the inside air
quality. The house in in Houston TX and as typical its wall to wall
carpet. No pets, no smokers.

I'm noticing that during the day time my wife and I are fine while at
work, when we get home and get ready to go to sleep, our throats get
slightly chapped. Just enough to cause a cough.

My first thought is the humidity is too low so I bought a humidity meter
form home depot. It bottoms out at 30-35% at night. Is that too low? How
do I get the humidity higher automatically whithout using a protable
humidifier.


Get a HVAC guy (heat, vent, A/C) to install a humidifier in your ductwork.
No mess, hooks up to house water so it's always running. Needs a pump to
drain excess water if a floor drain isn't available nearby.