Many homeowners believe that running their forced-air heating systems nonstop dries out their air and makes the indoor air quality poor, as a result. This isn’t entirely true, though, and we certainly don’t want you to start using your heater less as winter progresses. Dry air is definitely annoying, but restricting use of your heater won’t help your comfort.
In recent years, modern construction has meant that our homes are tightly sealed against the elements. This negatively impacts indoor air quality problems like dust infiltration. But dry air is a whole different ballgame.
Why is it such an issue, though? And what can you do to prevent it? When you work with a company that specializes in all HVAC services in Canonsburg, PA, including your indoor air quality needs, you can count on a quality answer. Our recommendation is the installation of a whole-house humidifier!
“It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity”
In the summertime, this is a common phrase we hear around here, right? Well, this concept can be reversed in the winter and you wouldn’t be wrong, “It’s not the cold air, it’s the dry air!” What we mean is that it’s not cold air making you so uncomfortable… it’s the dry air. And the reason is because humid air retains heat better.
The chilly air of winter doesn’t maintain humidity much at all, which is why the air and our bodies feel so dry this time of year. While it may seem like a relatively minor issue, humidifying your home with a whole-house humidifier benefits your home and your health in a number of ways.
Is Dry Air Really That Bad?
Air that’s too dry—that is, air with a relative humidity level anywhere under 30%—leads to the drying out of everything it’s exposed to, including you. Flaky and itchy skin, chapped lips, frequent coughing, and sore throats, and illness due to dried out mucous membranes lowering your immunity can all affect you.
And this isn’t the end of it. There are a number of household problems that can build up due to the presence or dry air. This includes things like splitting wooden floorboards, cracks in wooden furniture, damage to electronics due to static shock, chipping pain, and splitting wallpaper.
The Whole-House Humidifier Advantage
A whole-house humidifier is advantageous for your home in the same way a heating or cooling system is—it makes you more comfortable and healthier. Sure, you could buy a portable system, but this won’t be as effective. Whole-house humidifiers are also helpful for the performance of forced-air heating systems.
Since increased humidity makes it feel warmer in your living space, you don’t have to set your thermostat as high in the winter. As a result, your heater doesn’t have to work as hard. Since your heater doesn’t have to put in all that work, it’s not expending as much energy as it otherwise would. This all results in lower heating costs for you, and as long as you schedule routine maintenance, your system will even have a longer equipment life.
Call the friendly staff at Boehmer Heating & Cooling for exceptional customer service!