Relative humidity levels in the air need to stand somewhere between 30% and 50% for most human beings to be comfortable. That doesn’t happen much in the winter here in Lewes, DE. As the temperature falls, the ambient moisture in the air coalesces into droplets (and eventually ice if it gets cold enough), leaving the air itself much drier as a result. It can be a huge problem in your home if you let it. Luckily, there’s an easy solution: a whole-house humidifier installed by an expert.
What Kinds of Problems Does Dry Air Cause?
Dry air, in this case, is air with a relative humidity level of less than 30%. That’s when you can start to feel the dryness in your body, starting with your skin which can become itchy and cracked. Sinuses dry out too, which leaves your body more vulnerable to colds and germs (one of the reasons why winter is cold and flu season), and chapped lips are very common. You’ll also likely see an upswing in static electricity, and because dry air feels cooler than it should, your heating system will need to work harder to do its job: raising your monthly bills and increasing the strain on the rest of the system.
Humidifiers to the Rescue
A humidifier’s job is to blow water vapor into the air, which eliminates the problems mentioned above and helps the home feel more comfortable. Portable humidifiers are available in any department store and can be used for anything from keeping plants healthy to helping sick people get over colds. A whole-house humidifier, on the other hand, treats the problem of dry air throughout your home: working in conjunction with your HVAC system to blow water vapor through your ducts.
If you could use a whole-house humidifier in your home, call the pros at Atlantic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning today!