The goal of many homeowners during the winter is to keep their families warm.
That’s a wonderful thing except it comes at a cost: the warmer the air the drier it becomes.
Ideally, your home should fall under the 40-50% humidity range for both your home and your health.
Your furnace can often strip the air of moisture when trying to heat rooms and maintain temperatures. This leads to dry air throughout the house.
The best way to save money and be energy efficient is to have an indoor humidifier.
The Benefits of Whole-Home Humidifiers
Everyone notices when the air in the house is dry. Maybe you’re putting on Chapstick more often or moisturizing your hands.
Besides these small things, what does a whole-home humidifier actually do?
Prevents & Treats Illness
Winter is an invitation to get sick. Dry air is a catalyst.
Dry air pulls the moisture from your nose and mouth. And because your nose needs moisture to combat against viruses, you can become vulnerable to illness such as colds, sinus infections and the flu.
With proper humidity within the home, you can fight against the common cold and flu symptoms we are all susceptible during this time.
And good news! Bacteria can’t thrive in moist air.
Protect Your Wood Furnishings
Remember that beautiful antique dresser that was your grandparents? You’ll want to keep it in good condition especially when the humidity is down.
Without properly maintained humidity levels, your wood floors, and antique furniture like the beautiful old dining room table, could be damaged.
Low humidity can cause the wood to dry out and even split.
Create Warmth
Think about how hot it gets in the summer. What is the leading cause of feeling overly warm during those months? The humidity.
We all know the saying “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” and it is absolutely true.
The humidity plays a major role in how warm it actually feels as opposed to what the temperature actually is. While this can be undesirable in the summer, it is very beneficial for your home in the winter.
Not only can proper humidity in your home make you feel warmer, it can help your furnace be more energy efficient and use less. The more moisture in the air means the more heat the air can store.
A home with proper humidity and set at 68 degrees will feel like a home that’s set to 70 degrees.
When you feel warmer at a lower temperature, you’ll save money on your heating bill.
Physical Comfort
When your nasal cavity is dry, it can sometimes lead to snoring.
With proper humidity you can:
- Reduce snoring
- Keep your skin from feeling overly dry
- Preserve your voice
- Prevent your throat and nose from feeling dry and scratchy
Static Electricity
Have you noticed that you’ve been getting shocked when you touch a doorknob or someone else?
Static electricity is much more prevalent when the air is too dry. This is largely why we experience static shock and hair that stands on end when it is colder and drier.
Humidifiers can help eliminate this nuisance from your home and reduce the risk.
There are a few key differences between whole-home and single-room humidifiers to consider when deciding whether to invest in one.
Whole-Home Humidifier Vs. Single-Room Humidifier
From a whole-home humidifier, the water used comes directly from your water supply. Over the course of the heating season, the water panel will need to be changed one or twice.
They are attached directly to your home’s HVAC system, meaning it will use less energy to humidify the entire home than individual room humidifiers.
Single-room humidifiers, while at a lower initial cost, are much more maintenance. The water within the humidifier needs to be changed daily to ensure:
- The humidity level is correct in the room
- To avoid the container becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and mold
They must be placed near a bed or living space depending on the location for best results. The bubbling noise could be a nuisance, especially when guests are present.
Single-room humidifiers also must be deep cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria or mold from developing and entering the air.
While single-room humidifiers can be used occasionally for isolated areas of the home, they are not the most efficient.
If you’d like to learn more about improving your home’s comfort and furnace efficiency, contact us here for more information.
