This is what many homeowners think—that running their heater actually dries out their air and makes the indoor air quality bad as a result. This isn’t quite the case though, and we wouldn’t want you to start using your heater less as winter gets closer and closer. Dry air is certainly a nuisance, but resisting use of your heater will not help the situation!
Modern construction has made our homes tightly sealed up against the elements, which can impact indoor air quality issues like dust infiltration. But dry air is a whole different beast. Why is it such a problem though? And how can you prevent problems with dry air from happening in your living space? Well, with the installation of a whole-house humidifier! If you’ve ever been through even just one of our summers, you might be wondering why you would want to add moisture to your home, but bear with us.
“It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity”
This is a fairly common phrase heard during the summer. Well you can reverse this concept and you wouldn’t be wrong. “It’s Not the Cold, It’s the Dry Air.” Humid air simply retains heat better than dry air can.
The cool air of the winter seasons doesn’t maintain humidity very well, which is why it feels so dry, and WE feel so dry, during this time of year. And while it might seem like a minor problem, humidifying your home with a whole-house humidifier will actually benefit both your home and your health in many ways.
“How Does Dry Air Really Affect Me?”
Air that is too dry (that is, air that has a relative humidity level anywhere under 30%) leads to the drying out of everything it’s exposed to. This includes you. Chapped lips, flaky and itchy skin, frequent coughing and sore throats, and even illness due to dried out mucous membranes can all afflict you.
That’s not the end of it either. There are many household problems that can accumulate due to the presence of dry air. Splitting wooden floorboards, cracks in wooden furniture, damage to electronics because of static shock, chipping paint, and splitting wallpaper.
The Benefits of a Whole-House Humidifier
A whole-house humidifier is beneficial to your home in the same way a heating or cooling system is: it makes you more comfortable and healthier. Sure you could get a portable system, but this won’t be nearly as effective. Whole-house humidifiers are also good for forced-air heating systems.
Because increased humidity makes it seem warmer in your home, you don’t have to set your thermostat as high in the winter. As a result, your heater doesn’t have to work as hard. When your heater doesn’t have to work as hard, it’s not expending as much energy. This all results in lower heating costs for you, and so long as you have your heater routinely maintained, a longer service life for this piece of equipment.