Humidify Your Home for Winter Comfort

Using a humidifier in your home during the winter can be beneficial to you and your family’s health and comfort.  Even in areas of the country that have relatively high humidity throughout most of the year, a humidifier may be necessary indoors during the winter months to keep your home in the ideal humidity range.

According to most experts, the humidity in your home should be between 30 percent and 60 percent.  Low humidity can cause or aggravate many health problems including respiratory problems and can increase the risk of catching colds.  Low humidity causes dry, cracked skin, and chapped lips.  In addition, if the humidity in your home is too low it can cause problems with wood furniture, trim, and floors.  The wood can get too dry and crack or split.  Low humidity levels also increase the risk of static electricity that can harm computer and other electronics.

A humidifier can help you keep your home at a comfortable humidity level throughout the winter.  Portable humidifiers can do a good job, but most are only designed to humidify one room at a time.  You will need to move the humidifier frequently to keep the humidity in your home even from room to room.  Portable humidifiers also need frequent attention.  They have to be kept filled with water and also have to be cleaned carefully.  Mold, mildew, or any other organic growth in the water tank can aggravate allergies.

Whole house humidifiers are an excellent alternative.  These work in conjunction with your HVAC system to automatically regulate the humidity level throughout your home.  A reputable local HVAC contractor that handles residential HVAC replacement and installation can help you select and install a properly sized whole house humidifier that works well with your HVAC system.