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Dry Air Can Be Just as Bad as Humid Air in Your Home

Written by Comfort Solutions HVAC on . Posted in .

The Problems, and How Whole House Humidifiers Can Help

It’s often noted that a home that’s too humid is one that’s creating the ideal environment for mold growth. Yet, a home with air that is too dry is a concern, too. Heating a home creates dryer air, and that’s not likely to get better until spring, unless you invest in a whole house humidifier to help combat the problem.

Why Is Dry Air a Problem?

Low humidity indoors may cause a number of problems including some that impact your health.

  • Dry skin and hair/scalp. It’s common for people to experience dry, scratchy skin when there’s not enough moisture in the air. Your scalp and hair may feel dry and itchy, and lips may become chapped, too. 
  • Sinus pressure builds. With low humidity, you may feel sinus pressure increase as well as a dry, scratchy throat. The membranes in your throat and nose need to remain moist to help remove microbes from entering the sinus area. In a home that does not have the required level of humidity, that doesn’t happen as easily.
  • Static electricity develops. You may notice your home is too dry when static current forms. If pulling up the blankets or sitting on the couch causes you to get shocked, that’s an indication of a lack of moisture in the area. Over time, this can prove annoying and even painful.
  • Wood may crack. It’s possible that some surfaces in your home may develop concerns. For example, if you have wood in your home, such as on the floor or even furnishings, it may become dried out and brittle, increasing the risk of it cracking. 

A home that’s too dry is also uncomfortable. You may not feel at ease because of the lack of moisture that causes itchy eyes. It even allows cold and flu viruses to pass from one person to the next more easily because the membranes in the upper respiratory system are not moist enough to prevent it.

Why Consider Installing a Whole Home Humidifier

A whole home humidifier integrates into the HVAC system. It’s easy enough to use with pre-settings and unlike portable humidifiers, you don’t have to worry about filling them up with water every few hours. A whole house humidifier allows you to control the amount of humidity in the home. Most often, setting this for around 45% throughout the year is ideal. That helps keep it from being too dry or too humid.

Comfort Solutions can help you determine if a whole house humidifier may help your home’s indoor environment. We can provide recommendations, install it for you, and help you maintain it as needed. If you’re tired of feeling itchy or getting zapped by static every time you touch a doorknob, it’s time to consider an upgrade.

To learn more about whole home humidifiers, reach out to the experienced technicians at Comfort Solutions today. Call us at 610-438-9300 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.