Will I Benefit from a Humidifier in Cold Season?

As the temperature drops, it is quite normal for your home’s humidity levels to plummet as well. While winter is indeed a beautiful season, it does bring dry air, which not only is a potential health hazard but also puts your HVAC system and wood items at risk. The best way to deal with dry air is using a whole-home humidifier. The moist air delivered by this appliance is a great way to protect yourself from all the undesirable effects of having poor humidity levels.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your trusted HVAC company in White Bear Lake MN. One of our goals is to help families establish total home comfort systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, and humidification systems.

Humidity: Why is it Important?

Having the right humidity in your home is not a luxury; it is necessary. In wintertime, low temperatures and running heating systems 24/7 may lead to dry air with low humidity, causing your skin to dry, irritated sinuses and throat, and make your eyes itchy. Low humidity can cause dry, irritated eyes since it is known to intensify the evaporation of tears. This inadequacy may break the moisture balance necessary for a healthy, comfortable eye surface.

Moreover, low moisture levels combined with colder temperatures also tend to cause damage to your skin. Many suffer from what is commonly referred to as “winter itch,” a condition caused by improper humidity that makes the skin dry, scaly, and itchy. Also, the cold months are notorious for the development of flu viruses.

With proper moisture levels, you’ll avoid skin irritation caused by dryness and keep your nasal passages healthy. This convenience also gives you better resistance against colds and the flu, which happen to have a higher transmission during this time of year. Proper humidity opens up your nasal passages and allows mucus flow easier, which results in better breathing. If you have asthma, running a humidifier is a great way to minimize the air irritants that can trigger allergies and asthma.

Humidity: Preserving Household Items

Improper humidity levels can cause other problems, too. Dry air can affect the integrity and quality of wood items, such as furniture, musical instruments, and artwork. Due to the loss of moisture, you will notice your wooden doors and floors, as well as furniture being damaged and warped. Dry air can also cause bubbling, gaps, and damage to your home decor. Wear and tear happens when the air takes away the needed moisture in your home. Failure to address this problem can have serious, long-term effects that can cost you money to repair or replace those items. To avoid this potential expense and extend the life of your home, we recommend you to invest in a whole-home humidifier.

Humidity: Dealing with Allergies

Establishing a well-balanced humidity in your indoor air enables you to effectively combat allergies. It keeps your nasal passages clear of mucus. Having clear nasal passages means that your body has an easier time cleansing any allergens present in your home. Humidifiers have also proven quite effective for those who suffer from sinusitis. Dry air irritants won’t be as powerful with the added moisture in the air.

Humidity: Greater Comfort

This winter, not only will you be needing to run a furnace to keep your family comfortable, but also a humidifier. Dry air comes with a low humidity level that will suck out moisture from your and everything in your home. As a result, you will feel uncomfortable, and your furnace will have to work harder to meet your heating requirements. By adding water vapor from a humidifier, you can balance your home’s humidity, moisten the air, increase your comfort, and avoid overworking your furnace. Because you and your family will likely spend more time indoors, investing in a humidifier can be one of the wisest decisions you can make.

Ask Four Seasons Air Specialists

If you want to know more about the benefits of owning a whole-home humidifier, be sure to talk to one of our Dellwood heating and air conditioning professionals. We’ll help you find answers to your questions and determine the right humidifier that meets your needs.