Sore throats, dry noses and cracked itchy skin are often considered a common symptom of winter. Many people suffer aggravated asthma conditions and allergic reactions without even realising that it could be the air quality in their home that is acting as a trigger. You may have noticed other signs of a dry winter in your home such as chipping plaster and paint, cracked or split wood floors, damage to trim, molding and furniture and even static shocks. Fortunately, there is no need to suffer through an entire winter of these problems as there is a solution; a whole house humidifier.
Why Do You Need a Humidifier?
When you turn the temperature up in your home during winter, it will help to keep your warm, but it does nothing for the humidity level in your home. Daily activities such as cooking, doing laundry and showering will not produce the moisture needed to prevent your home’s air from becoming too dry. Medical experts agree that many viruses flourish in low humidity levels, which means that you will increase your likelihood of catching a cold, flu or even an upper respiratory illness. This means that by increasing the humidity level in your home, you can feel more comfortable even at a lower temperature, saving you energy. According to EPA data, you could enjoy up to a 4% saving on your heating bills for each degree you lower the settings on your thermostat.
How a Whole House Humidifier Works:
A whole house humidifier system can be installed directly into your existing or new central heating and cooling system. This allows humidity to be introduced into the air as water vapor. This prevents minerals from being introduced into the air and potentially your lungs. The humidifier has a distribution tray, which allows water to flow evenly throughout the system. The humidified air can then be distributed throughout the home using the ductwork of your heating and cooling system.
Whole House vs. Portable:
Many people may consider that portable humidifiers can offer a better solution. Unfortunately, too great a humidity level can be as problematic as low humidity. Unlike a portable unit, a whole house system monitors humidity levels around the home to ensure that the optimum amount of moisture is delivered to the entire house. Additionally, portable units tend to require daily disinfecting and cleaning to avoid microbial growth. This is not needed in a whole home system that increases their practicality and convenience.