Humidity Control in Office Environments

Q: What is the ideal humidity range for offices?

Most experts recommend maintaining 40–60% relative humidity, which supports comfort, reduces health risks, and protects equipment and materials.

Q: How do offices typically control humidity levels?

Offices use HVAC systems with integrated humidifiers or dehumidifiers, sensors, and automatic controls or also independant direct room humidification systems to keep humidity within the optimal range.

Q: What happens if office air is too dry?

Dry air can cause irritation of the eyes, throat, and skin, increase static electricity, affect concentration, and raise the risk of virus spread—leading to discomfort and more sick days.

Q: Can high humidity also be a problem?

Yes. Excess humidity can cause condensation, mould growth, and a stuffy indoor climate. Balanced humidity ensures comfort without these negative side effects.

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Benefits

Maintaining proper humidity (typically 40–60%) reduces the spread of airborne viruses, prevents dry eyes and throat irritation, and keeps employees more comfortable. This leads to fewer sick days and better overall productivity.

Healthier Employees, Fewer Sick Days

Optimal humidity (40–60%) reduces airborne virus survival, lowers respiratory irritation, and helps prevent dry eyes and skin—resulting in healthier staff and reduced absenteeism.

Higher Comfort and Productivity

Balanced humidity creates a more comfortable work environment, improving focus, reducing fatigue, and helping employees maintain consistent productivity throughout the day.

Better Protection for Office Equipment

Proper humidity prevents static electricity and excessive dryness that can damage electronics, paperwork, and office furniture, extending the lifespan of valuable assets.

Humidity Control in Offices

Top of page Benefits Use Cases References FAQs

Higher Comfort and Productivity in Office Environments

Maintaining optimal humidity levels (40–60%) helps reduce eye dryness, irritation, and fatigue, which are common during prolonged computer use. Proper humidity also supports overall comfort, concentration, and focus, leading to more productive screen-based work. Using a professional humidification system in dry conditions or a dehumidifier when humidity is too high, ensures that indoor air stays within this optimal and healthy range. Consistent humidity control not only protects employees’ health and reduces discomfort but also creates a more pleasant work environment, helping teams stay alert, efficient, and engaged throughout the day.

Potentially Fewer Sick Days

Maintaining relative humidity between 40% and 60% in office spaces supports employee health and comfort. This range helps reduce respiratory irritation, dry skin, and eye discomfort, while also lowering the survival rate of certain airborne viruses. Using a properly sized humidifier during dry seasons—or a dehumidifier when moisture levels are too high—helps keep indoor humidity within this optimal zone. Consistent humidity control not only promotes healthier air but also improves concentration, reduces fatigue, and supports overall well-being. As a result, workplaces can experience fewer health-related complaints, enhanced productivity, and potentially a noticeable reduction in sick days.

Use Cases

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Projects and References

ULINE

Condair is proud to humidify ULINE's state of the art headquarters in Wisconsin, using Condair's In-Duct HP Series HP1300 (shown on right), and MLRO 1500 (shown on left) water treatment system. Providing over 2800 lbs/hr of humidification via 11 air handling units. Uline is a family-owned distributor of shipping and industrial supplies with operations in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Gannett Company - The Tennessean

The Tennessean is the principal daily newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Its circulation area covers 39 counties in Middle Tennessee and eight counties in southern Kentucky.

National Nuclear Security Administration

The United States National Nuclear Security Administration is part of the United States Department of Energy. It works to improve national security through the military application of nuclear energy. The NNSA maintains and improves the safety, reliability, and performance of the United States nuclear weapons stockpile through the use of science, technology, and engineering. It is also responsible for many nuclear nonproliferation, counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, and radiological emergency response efforts for the United States, along with the naval reactors for the United States Navy.

Canada Post

Canada Post Corporation, also known as Canada Post, is the crown corporation which functions as Canada's primary postal operator.

CAMSO

Camso, the Road Free Company (formerly Camoplast Solideal) is a Canadian multinational corporation headquartered in Magog, Quitbec, Canada. Committed to the off-the-road (OTR) mobility market, the company is a world leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of off-the-road tires, wheels, rubber tracks and track systems for the material handling, construction, agriculture and power sports industries.

Luke Air Force Base

Luke AFB is a major training base of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), training pilots in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Prescientx

Prescientx is wholesaler of UV cleaning and disinfection solutions optimized to safeguard our health and wellness.

Bloomberg Finance LP

Bloomberg Finance L.P., also known as Bloomberg L.P., is a privately held company in New York City, co-founded in 1981 by Michael Bloomberg along with Thomas Secunda, Duncan MacMillan, and Charles Zegar, with an initial investment from Merrill Lynch. The company provides financial software tools, data services, and news to financial institutions, corporations, and government organizations worldwide.

Keurig - Dr. Pepper

Keurig Dr Pepper is a leading producer and distributer of hot and cold beverages to satisfy every consumer need.

Apple Campus, Cupertino

Cupertino, California, located close to San Francisco, is home to the headquarters of American technology company Apple. The building was designed by British architect Norman Foster, who realized the idea of an oversized ring in connection with the former Apple Campus at Infinite Loop No. 1 in Cupertino.

At a diameter of almost half a mile, the building complex offers a massive 2.8 million sq ft of usable space and accommodates 12,000 employees. The ring surrounds a 1.4 million sq ft park featuring rest areas, cafés, sports facilities and a rainbow-colored festival stage that was inaugurated by Lady Gaga in 2018. Powered entirely by renewable energy, the building features a 17-megawatt rooftop solar array and energy-efficient evaporative cooling from Condair.

Flat Iron and Brookfield Place Buildings

Rolex (Lititz Watch Technicum)

The Lititz Watch Technicum is a watchmaking school located in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The school, founded by Rolex in 2001, was created to help make up for the lack of skilled watchmakers in the US.

Anderson Art Gallery

The Anderson Galleries are dealers, agents and certified appraisers of museum quality 19th and 20th century paintings, drawings and sculpture. We feature European and American works of art specializing in academic, realist, impressionist, post-impressionist and modern schools. Renoir, Monet, Pissarro, Sisley, Guillaumin, Vuillard, Bouguereau, Le Sidaner, Lebasque, Corot and many other historically significant artists are featured in our gallery collection throughout the year.

LDS Temple - Idaho

LDS Temples and Mormon Chruch Units in Idaho

Quaker Oats

The Quaker Oats Company is an American food conglomerate based in Chicago. It has been owned by PepsiCo since 2001.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal humidity range for offices?

How do offices typically control humidity levels?

What happens if office air is too dry?

Can high humidity also be a problem?

How can I tell if my office humidity is too low?

If an office humidity is too low, one of the first noticeable effects is an increase in electrostatic discharge. Dry skin can also be an indicator. However, to really understand an office humidity, it is best to use a desktop hygrometer. These are cheap devices and can display a room's humidity and often temperature as well.

Alternatively, if you have concerns about an office humidity, a building's facility manager may be able to share information with you on existing humidity control measures.

My workplace is too dry! What can I do about it?

Regularly monitor and record temperature and humidity. Humidity is usually lowest in winter when heating is on. Check with colleagues for symptoms like sore eyes, itchy skin, static shocks or breathing issues. If you have similar problems, a doctor’s note linking them to dry air can support your case. If humidity stays below 40%RH, share your findings with your line manager. They can escalate to health and safety or HR, and the facilities manager may need to review climate control systems.

Get Free Expert Advice

If you want to explore your options for humidity control, a Condair's expert will visit your site, review your project and talk you through their recommendations.

Alternatively, if you would prefer a call or online meeting, our team is always happy to discuss possible solutions and offer free technical advice.

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