Winter can be a great time of year, but if you haven’t properly prepared your home, it can be months of discomfort. While you may have an efficient heating system in place, you may not have considered that your heating system could lead to your air being excessively dry. When the air becomes too dry in your home, comfort levels can quickly plummet. So, this winter, should you consider a whole house humidifier?
The Problems With Dry Air:
Many of us consider moisture to be a problem if a pipe leaks or we have a dripping faucet, but it is only excessive moisture that is a problem in our homes. In fact, when the moisture levels drop too low, it can cause a myriad of issues that can compromise your comfort.
A lack of humidity can create problems that range from mild annoyances to physical damage. For example, dry environments create the ideal conditions for static electricity. Although static shocks can be a minor issue for people, they could create potentially expensive situations where your electronic equipment is damaged.
Dry air can also cause issues for your health and wellbeing. When the air is excessively dry, it causes the sinuses to dry out, creating sore throats, nosebleeds, and itchy eyes. It can also aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms. Additionally, there are many viruses that thrive in low humidity environments, so you could find yourself suffering from more bouts of colds and sickness.
Finally, prolonged exposure to low humidity can create problems around your home. Dry air can cause wallpaper to peel, cracked drywall and even cracked wooden panels, doors, and furniture. It can also be problematic if you have musical instruments, as they can also suffer damage.
The Benefits of a Whole House Humidifier:
Whole house humidifiers are designed to work in concert with your heating system. Although you can use portable humidifiers for one room, a whole house system ensures that proper humidity levels are restored throughout the entire house. They can be installed directly into your HVAC system, so humidity can be dispersed through the existing ductwork. Additionally, a whole house humidifier can allow you to have greater control over the humidity that is introduced into your home. This can remove the danger of your home being exposed to excessive moisture levels.
Is a Whole House Humidifier Right For Your Home?
If you are unsure about whether your home would benefit from a whole house humidifier, it is worth speaking to a professional HVAC technician. An experienced specialist can assess your HVAC system and the humidity levels inside your home to help you determine if you could benefit from a whole house humidifier. The technician can also explain the installation process, so you can be assured of how quickly and easily the humidity levels in your home can be corrected to the optimum level. This will ensure that you are not only warm and cozy this winter, but also protected from all the problems associated with excessively dry air.