The wintertime weather can do a real number on the indoor comfort. Oftentimes, heating the home is only half of the solution. Dry air will continue to be a problem until spring rolls around. For the next couple of months, indoor humidity is what really counts for home comfort.
Indiana homeowners tend to think that humidity is a bad thing. But don’t let the hot and extra-humid summers fool you. In reality, a little moisture can help make the air feel great—especially during the colder months.
Problems with Low Humidity Indoors
Dealing with low humidity, or dry air comes with a slew of problems for you, the family, and even the home. Without a balanced level of moisture in the air, the winter can be a real drag.
1. You can get dry, scratchy skin
It’s hard to feel the best when the lips are cracked and the hands are looking scaly. Forget the lotion. What the skin really needs is good air.
When the air has low humidity, it’s a lot easier for the skin to dry out. Moisturizer alone can’t fix the issue. Instead, you have to get the right amount of moisture back in the air.
2. It’s hard on the immune system
Increasing the indoor humidity can help give you an extra line of defense Little known fact: Germs love dry air. It’s easier for microbes to float around when the humidity is low. As a result, more people tend to fall ill in the wintertime. Indoor humidity plays a big role in keeping the family healthy.
Because viruses have a harder time moving in moist air, bumping up the indoor humidity can help give you an extra line of defense.
3. Dry air adds to sinus pain
The moist membranes in the throat and nose work to filter out microbes, and proper humidity helps keep the body’s respiratory system in check. But when the air is dry, it can be hard on the sinuses. Itchy nasal passages get to be pretty painful, and might even cause nosebleeds if the environment isn’t balanced.
4. the home’s wood might warp and crack
Low humidity can impact the items in the homes, too. Wood furniture, instruments, and even the flooring can start to take a hit when dry air pulls out the moisture they’ve been holding.
That’s why you might find the floorboards creaking more, or that you’re getting some unexpected damage to the belongings. It can also make doors get stuck in their frames.
5. Low humidity creates annoying static
Although static might not have the same long-term effects as the other dry air problems, this issue is probably the most noticeable! Getting shocked by the pet, the couch, or doorknobs doesn’t have to be a hallmark of the winter season. Static only tends to build up in homes that have excessively dry air.
Reversing the Dry Air Symptoms
Whole-house humidifiers are great for homeowners that really want to maximize their comfort and health There are many different aspects of the health and lifestyle that are impacted by dry air. Fortunately, there’s one easy fix. Instead of trying to address each issue individually, why not tackle them all at once? That’s where a whole-house humidifier can help.
Because these units are installed with the existing ductwork and furnace, they can deliver the right amount of moisture all throughout the home. Whole-house humidifiers are great for homeowners that really want to maximize their comfort—and their health—all year long. Plus, they’re easy to maintain. Once installed, you can have a real fuss-free setup.
