Do you have a humidifier in your home? If so, using it could help make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient during the fall and winter months.
What is humidity?
Humidity is a measure of the amount of moisture in the air. During the spring and summer when the weather is hot, the air is warm and retains a lot of moisture. This is why we feel so uncomfortable when spending time outdoors during hot weather. Our sweat doesn’t evaporate quickly when the air is saturated.
During the fall and winter months, the air is cold and not able to retain as much moisture. This is why outdoor humidity levels drop during the colder months.
Why do I need to raise the humidity levels in my home during cold weather?
During the colder months of the year, the outdoor air has trouble retaining moisture. The same goes for the indoor environment in your home. Additionally, using your heater to make your home warm and toasty can also dry out the air.
Using a humidifier to raise humidity levels in your home can actually help you feel more comfortable. When humidity levels are low, our bodies lose more heat. Adding humidity to the air can help act as an insulator and slow heat loss. This may help you to save money on energy bills, since your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home at a higher temperature.
Preventing sickness
The cooler months of the year are when many people experience colds and flus. These sicknesses can often be prevented just by boosting the humidity levels in your home, which can help keep mucous membranes in your nose moist and prevent dry, itchy skin and chapped lips.
What types of humidifiers are available for my home?
Steam humidifiers: These units work by boiling water and they then use the steam to add humidity to your entire home. They are installed into your home’s supply duct.
Fan-powered humidifiers: Many times, these whole-home humidifiers are installed onto the furnace’s air supply duct. They are connected to your home’s water lines so you don’t need to refill the water. Excess water flows out through a drain.
Room humidifiers: These are used to boost humidity levels in specific areas of a home. Room units use a reservoir of water, and this can lead to bacteria growth. When using one of these units, use distilled water and clean the system regularly.
Bypass humidifiers: These humidifiers are installed in homes where fan-powered units can’t easily attach to the supply duct. They also make use of your home’s water lines and provide humidity for the whole home.
A humidifier will help you and your family feel more comfortable as the colder weather approaches. Regardless of what type of unit you have, keep it properly maintained throughout the year.