You probably would never think of getting a humidifier in our damp summers, when the relative humidity in our homes is fairly high, but what about during the winter? This is the time of year that we turn on the furnace and dry out our homes to the point where we’re downright uncomfortable. An ideal relative humidity in the home should be around 50%, but often in the winter, moisture in the home’s air will fall well below that. That’s when it’s time to look into a winter humidifier.
Why We Need Higher Humidity in the Winter
In the winter, dry air can wreak havoc on us. Some of the adverse circumstances we encounter as a result of dry air:
- Raspy, irritated throat
- Chronic cough
- Dry, itchy eyes
- Dry, irritated nasal passages
- Dry, itchy skin
- Infection with flu or cold viruses due to irritated and cracked mucus membranes
Raising the humidity in the home with a winter humidifier can go far toward ameliorating these symptoms.
Other issues with low humidity include the creation of static electricity, which can short out your electronics. Also, dry conditions can cause your wood furnishings and floor to dry out and warp.
How to Raise Humidity in Your Home
Some ways to raise the humidity in your home include:
- Boil water in a large pot on the stove.
- Take long showers, leaving the bathroom door open so the moisture wafts out and permeates the home.
- Acquire numerous large-foliage plants, which will help increase humidity as the plant transpires (breathes).
The best way to raise humidity in your home is to acquire a humidifier. You can purchase a portable winter humidifier, which will help raise moisture content in the air but which requires you to keep filling it up and to move it from room to room. Much better is a whole-home humidifier, which is installed in your HVAC system and distributes moisture in the air as your HVAC runs. There are several different types, so talk to your HVAC consultant about the best type for your home.
For more on why you should get a winter humidifier, contact Ace Hardware Home Services of Dayton.
