Soon enough we’ll all be heading inside to escape the cold, dry, winter weather, but you won’t be as comfortable as you could be if that air is warm and dry. You will feel much more comfortable if your home is warm and cozy with a little added humidity to the air. Luckily, an HVAC upgrade can solve this problem.
What exactly is a whole home humidifier?
Instead of a portable unit that moves from room to room, a whole home humidifier is installed into your HVAC system, so the air coming from the furnace is humidified. The recommended humidity for a home is between 30%-50%, but that is hard to maintain in the winter. Cold air does not hold as much moisture, and a furnace strips moisture from the air as it goes through the heating process.
Then what are the benefits of this feature?
Improves your health.
Dry air can dry out your nasal passages, which are actually an essential part of your immune system, and proper hydration is key. Plus, it can cause irritation for your skin, eyes, nose, and mouth. Common symptoms of being in a dry air environment are a sore throat, itchy skin, sneezing, and headaches. It can often feel like a mild cold, and unfortunately that dry air can even make a cold worse.
Better sleep.
Dry air can be harder to sleep in as it causes discomfort in your throat and respiratory system. It can cause a person’s snoring to become worse, or for them to start snoring. That can disrupt their sleep, but it also disrupts the sleep of others in the home if they are a light sleeper.
Saves you money.
Properly humidified air can actually feel warmer than dry air. Even if your thermostat is set below the average range, it will still feel comfortable thanks to that moisture. By maintaining that ideal temperature, and maybe even going a little lower during the night or when you’re not home, it can save the homeowner money on their energy bill.
Prevents static.
Another phenomenon that happens in dry air is increased static. The family might notice they’re getting shocked more around the home, which typically means the air is too dry.
Protects furniture.
Wooden furniture lasts longer and looks better in properly humidified environments. If it’s exposed to dry air long-term, then the moisture from the wood can be stripped away and result in it shrinking, wrapping, or cracking. This can also happen to wooden doors, door frames, and window frames.
The technicians at Binder Heating & Air Conditioning are trained in all major furnace and whole home humidifier brands, so we can help you choose the best option for your existing or new system. If you’re in the Twin Cities, give us a call to learn more about our installation service and plans.
