People right now are starting to make plans for the cooler weather, which means scheduling heating maintenance is a priority. But there are other things you can do for your home to prepare your HVAC system for the coming change in the weather. One of these things is to call indoor air quality professionals and arranging for the installation of a whole-house humidifier.
Why Have a Whole-House Humidifier?
Low humidity is often an issue in homes during the winter. As the temperature drops, so does the moisture level in the air. When relative humidity dips below 30%, it will start to have negative effects in a home:
- Discomfort: Low humidity adds an unpleasant edge to cooler temperatures. This is because the low levels of moisture allow heat to easily escape from the body, and this makes the temperature feel colder than it is. Balancing humidity levels help people feel warmer in winter.
- Energy waste: When low humidity makes a home feel colder, its furnace or other heating system will need to run more often—and that means wasting more power and elevating energy bills.
- Spread of illnesses: Dry air causes sinus membranes to dry up, which are a major defense against the spread of flus and colds from person to person. The drier the air, the faster sickness will spread around a household.
- Other health issues: When the indoor air is too dry, it means itchy and irritated eyes, noses, and throats.
- Damage: Low moisture levels can cause wood to crack and paint to peel. It’s especially destructive to precision musical instruments.
A small humidifier can take care of these problems in a single room, but if you want to have all these issues dealt with, you’ll need a professional to install a whole-house humidifier into your HVAC system. The right system will balance humidity without the danger of making your house too humid.
Bud Matthews Services offers indoor air quality improvements in Durham, NC.
