When winter hits, the air inside your home can become dry, leading to discomfort like dry skin, irritated sinuses, and static electricity. It’s not just uncomfortable; it can also affect your wooden furniture and flooring, causing cracks or warping. Managing humidity levels can make a big difference in creating a more comfortable living space. With the right tools and habits, you can keep the air in your home balanced and cozy. Bone Heating & Cooling in Festus, MO can help you find the right solutions to manage humidity, test and improve indoor air quality, and keep your house comfortable all winter.
Why Winter Air Gets So Dry
During the winter months, you may notice the air in your home feels dry. The cold air outside can’t hold as much moisture as warmer air, so when it enters your home and gets heated, the humidity levels drop. This dry air can cause a lot of issues. Your skin may get dry and itchy, your throat may feel scratchy, and you might even notice more static electricity. Wooden furniture and floors can also take a hit, as the lack of moisture can cause them to crack or warp.
The humidity level in your house plays a big part in how comfortable you feel. The relative humidity should be between 30-50% for a comfortable and healthy environment. Unfortunately, during winter, it’s hard to maintain that balance due to the cold air and the way heating systems work. Understanding why the air gets so dry can help you better address the issue and find ways to add moisture back into your home.
Use a Humidifier to Add Moisture to the Air
Humidifiers add moisture to the air, stopping it from getting too dry. There are different types of humidifiers, like cool mist, warm mist, and ultrasonic, so you can pick the one that works best for you.
Cool mist humidifiers are great for larger spaces, as they help spread moisture more effectively. If you’re trying to add a little extra warmth to your room as well, a warm mist humidifier might be more appropriate. Ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency vibration to produce a fine mist, which is very quiet and efficient.
Whole-house humidifiers are HVAC products that can be installed into your home heating and cooling system to provide humidity control for your entire home. They’re a great way to avoid the hassle, maintenance needs, and limitations of portable humidifier units.
Sealing Drafts and Insulating Your Home
Sometimes, dry air can come from more than just your heating system — it can be the result of drafts or poor insulation. Gaps in windows and doors let cold, dry air into your house, causing the overall humidity level to drop. If you notice cold spots in certain areas of your home, it’s worth checking for air leaks.
To fix this, you can seal gaps with weatherstripping or caulk, especially around doors and windows. Adding heavy curtains over windows can also help keep the warmth in and block the cold air from getting in. If your home has an attic, ensuring it’s well-insulated can keep the heat where it’s needed and prevent the roof from letting heat escape.
Taking steps to seal your home from outside drafts will not only help keep humidity levels balanced but also make your house more energy-efficient. Your heating system won’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature, which means less money spent on energy and a more comfortable home.
Maintaining Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system is a major player in your home’s air quality, including its humidity levels. Many modern heating systems don’t have built-in humidifiers, which means they can dry out the air in your home as they work to keep it warm. If you don’t have a separate humidifier, you may want to consider adding one to your HVAC system. There are whole-house humidifiers available that can be installed directly into your heating system, so they work seamlessly to add moisture to the air throughout the house.
In addition to adding humidity, it’s important to maintain your heating system and AC, especially during the winter months. Make sure your furnace’s air filter is clean and free of dust. A clogged or dirty filter can affect airflow and contribute to a dry environment. Have a professional inspect your system to make sure it’s working as efficiently as possible, and ask about adding a humidifier if your system doesn’t already have one.
Call Us for Help With Humidity
Maintaining the right humidity levels in your home during the winter can make you feel more comfortable and help protect your house’s surfaces. By using humidifiers, sealing leaks, and paying attention to airflow, you can keep your home feeling comfortable. Need assistance with your indoor air quality?
Reach out to Bone Heating & Cooling today for expert advice and solutions. We also offer water heater, fireplace, mini-split, heating, and air conditioning services.
