{"id":2485,"date":"2019-11-18T11:00:37","date_gmt":"2019-11-18T16:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boehmerheating.com\/blog\/?p=2485"},"modified":"2019-11-15T14:30:37","modified_gmt":"2019-11-15T19:30:37","slug":"is-home-humid-enough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boehmerheating.com\/blog\/indoor-air-quality\/is-home-humid-enough\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Home Humid Enough?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"street-and-homes-in-philadelphia\"When you live where we do, then you\u2019re all too familiar with the experience of dry air. The missing moisture from the air can cause a host of problems in your home, especially this time of the year, as the temperatures cool and you need to use your heater more and more. Use of your HVAC systems actually help dehumidify<\/em> your living space, exacerbating the problem with dry air and subsequent poor indoor air quality<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t already taken advantage of a whole-house humidifier installation, the best time is now, while our current humidity levels are relatively balanced.<\/p>\n

Chances are, you\u2019ve seen portable humidifiers in drug stores, and you may even have one in your own home to help alleviate cold symptoms or allergy symptoms. But the whole-house humidifier tackles the root of the dry air problem.<\/p>\n

The Problem with Low Humidity<\/h2>\n

The humidity in your indoor air is measured in terms of relative <\/em>humidity\u2014the percentage that details the amount of ambient moisture that exists in your air. The lower this percentage is, the drier the air is. Human beings are most comfortable when the relative humidity level rests between 30%-50%.<\/p>\n

Anything below 30% relative humidity means that any moisture will be leeched from the air in your home. This includes drying out your skin, which can become red and itchy as a result. This dry air also creates static electricity and dries out sinuses, to make you and your family more prone to germs and other potential illnesses. This is especially detrimental for those who suffer from allergies and asthma.<\/p>\n

As we alluded to above, running your heater only adds to the problem. Heaters dry out the air anyway, so if the relative humidity is already low, you\u2019re going to quickly find yourself uncomfortable. Not only is dry air on its own a nuisance, but it actually makes cold air feel even colder. As a result, you\u2019ll likely turn up your thermostat for increased comfort\u2014but all you\u2019re doing then is wasting energy.<\/p>\n

The Whole-Home Humidifier Solution<\/h2>\n

A humidifier itself is a relatively simple system\u2014it\u2019s comprised of a wick or pad, being fed water by a reservoir. A fan blows over the top of the pad, sending moisture into the air through the ducts of your HVAC systems.<\/p>\n

Most times, the level of moisture can be adjusted to suit your specific needs, allowing you to retain comfort levels in your living space, no matter what the weather is outside. A whole-home humidifier offers a number of other benefits, too, including:<\/p>\n