If you think humidity isn’t important in winter, think again. A lack of humidity can accelerate your body’s loss of water, potentially causing issues such as unproductive coughs, irritated eyes and dry skin. Insufficient humidity also produces dry, brittle hair. The influenza virus is more likely to infect people when it is spread through air with low humidity. Fortunately, you don’t have to accept this long list of negative issues. The remedy is to simply boost your home’s humidity.
Too Much Humidity Isn’t Necessarily Good
Before diving into this list of home humidification tips, you should know that too much humidity is also a very real problem. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, you should keep your home’s relative humidity readings below 65%.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tells Americans to never exceed 60% relative humidity inside their homes. Although other organizations recommend higher in-home relative humidity ceilings, it’s safe to consider 65% relative humidity as a level you shouldn’t cross.
Since indoor humidity levels rarely match outdoor relative humidity readings, you shouldn’t rely on weather forecasts as a benchmark to adjust your home’s humidity. Look online, visit a local supermarket or contact an HVAC company like ours at North Point Air Conditioning & Heating to get a hygrometer. Hygrometers quickly read indoor and outdoor relative humidity levels. Using one will give you valuable information for humidifying your home this winter.
Is a Humidifier Necessary?
Humidifiers are the easiest way to welcome humidity into your living area. As you’ll see throughout this article, however, humidifiers aren’t your only option for raising your in-home humidity readings.
One of the best reasons to use a humidifier during winter is to save money. This money-saving aspect comes from the fact that higher humidity makes you feel warmer. Heaters dry out your living area, leaving you with no choice but to rely on your heater even more.
If you’re looking to save money, try out the following tips before buying a humidifier.
Understanding How Exhaust Fans Work
Many homes have exhaust fans. Most often found in bathrooms and kitchens, exhaust fans exchange air from inside homes with fresh air from outdoors. Exhaust fans can help you remove bad smells and excessive moisture content from your residence. In general, they’re used when people cook and after people shower.
Despite these benefits, exhaust fans can remove much-needed humidity from your surroundings. From now on, don’t use exhaust fans when boiling water or taking showers. The steam from showers and stovetops will raise your home’s relative humidity level.
If you’ve grown accustomed to using an exhaust fan while showering or using the bathroom, try using a plug-in fan. These fans will still circulate the air without taking humidity away from your home’s air supply.
If You Like to Decorate, Try Finding an Indoor Fountain
In general, bringing more water into your home will humidify it. Finding an indoor fountain or bubbler is one of the most stylish ways to get more humidity indoors.
You don’t need to install a permanent indoor fountain to have an impact on your home’s humidity. A small, affordable fountain will do just as well as an expensive, permanent fixture.
Prevent Outdoor Air From Seeping Inside
During winter, the air rarely has a high humidity content. Doing things like opening doors and windows will cause your home to lose the humidity you’ve worked hard to build up.
One way to maintain your home’s humidity content is sealing up leaks. You can seal leaks with caulk. Most major leaks can be found near doors, windows, chimneys, fireplaces and electrical outlets.
While you’re buying caulk, buy some weatherstripping as well. Fit the weatherstripping on the edges of windows and doors. Another way to keep humidified air from escaping your home is to use a door skirt, also known as a draft stopper. These conveniently attach to the bottom of your doors and block the flow of air through gaps underneath them.
Still Need Home Humidity Help?
At North Point Air Conditioning & Heating, we’ve served households and businesses in Spring, TX, and across Montgomery County since 1977. In addition to our comprehensive air conditioning, heating and ventilation services, including furnace installation, cooling replacement, heating repair, and AC maintenance, we have some of the industry’s leading humidifiers on our showroom floor. At your visit, we’ll recommend the ideal humidifier for your home and provide in-home humidification tips you won’t find anywhere else. If you’d like help with managing your home’s humidity, reach out to us today.
