6 Signs You Need a Humidifier in Your Home
Do you suspect your home might need some extra humidity but aren't quite sure? Thankfully, there are telltale signs that your house can benefit from a humidifier that every homeowner should be on the lookout for.
Over the summer, we discussed the importance of humidity levels in our blog about the ideal humidity level for your home. While summer brings high levels of humidity in Massachusetts, our winters often bring the opposite, causing a whole new set of issues. Regardless of the season, maintaining optimal humidity levels is important for the health of you and your family as well as for your home.
Signs You Need a Humidifier:
You feel consistent asthma or cold-like symptoms all winter long. If you have a persistent scratchy throat, runny nose and dry eyes, the culprit could be dry air. Low humidity can dry out the mucus membranes of your respiratory tract that acts as the protective lining from cold viruses.
More than dryer sheets are needed to keep the static away in your home. Do you zap yourself on fabric, glass, or even when you go to cuddle up with a furry friend? Static thrives in a dry environment and is a strong clue that action is needed.
You have noticed cracks on your floors or furniture. Dry air pulls any available moisture from wood which results in creaks and gaps in your flooring and can warp and crack furniture. This is yet another reason why keeping moisture levels in the air consistent is so important.
If the outdoor temperatures are particularly cold its natural to run your furnace more often. The trouble is, the drier the air, the less heat it holds so if your humidity levels are low you will need to run your furnace more which creates a never ending cycle. Installing a humidifier to work with your heating system actually makes your system more efficient and helps to lower your energy bills.
Dry skin is indicator that the air in your home may be contributing to your discomfort. While cold outdoor conditions factor into dry winter skin, if your home humidity levels are too low it can exacerbate the issue.
You have been getting repeated nose bleeds. While some people are more prone to nose bleeds if you notice this occurring at a higher frequency than normal, it could be another sign that your home is too dry.
When it doubt, test it out! If you're the type of person that wants to know for certain if your humidity levels are accurate, you can purchase a hygrometer or invest in an indoor air quality test. If your levels aren't between 30%-50%, then according to the EPA, you need to make an adjustment for the sake of your health and home.
Are you still unsure whether you need a humidifier in your home? Contact our trusted and certified team of HVAC professionals at Total Temperature Control for more help.
Whether you need 24-7 emergency service or a solution to improve your indoor comfort—at home and work—call us at 781-224-2400 or submit a convenient contact form.
If this article was helpful to you, please share it!