3 Things Homeowners Should Understand About Humidity

Home comfort isn’t just about temperature. Humidity—the amount of water vapor in the air—plays a key role in how comfortable you actually feel. Air that’s too dry causes irritated, cracked skin and spreads illnesses more easily. Humid air is stuffy, causes mold growth, and damages wood furniture and flooring. Balancing levels with a humidifier or dehumidifier is the key to comfort.

An ideal humidity level varies among different people, but as a general guideline, it should be between 35-50 percent. Single-room humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help, but they are no comparison to whole-home systems. The top three reasons we recommend and install whole-home units include:

1. Health—cold, dry air is the ideal condition for cold- and flu-causing viruses and other germs to spread. Homeowners often experience fewer illnesses once a humidifier is installed. These systems also help reduce allergies, minimize asthma irritation, and prevent other respiratory problems.
2. Comfort—humidifiers alleviate dry, cracked skin, irritated eyes, bloody noses, and sore throats. They also eliminate static electricity and help you feel comfortable at lower temperatures during winter. Air with the right amount of moisture holds heat better than dry air, so you can turn the thermostat down and still feel warm and cozy.
3. Savings—proper humidity helps reduce energy bills because you feel more comfortable at moderate temperatures, plus your system won’t have to cycle as often. You might also notice savings on annual medicine purchases and doctor’s visits with fewer cold/flu illnesses, or by avoiding home damage, like buckled wood flooring or cracked furniture.

We recommend energy-efficient whole-home humidifiers from Carrier® that consistently blow much-needed moisture through your ductwork to every room in your house. These units are virtually silent and low maintenance, so you can enjoy ultimate comfort and leave the rest to us.

If you’re interested in learning more about humidifiers or dehumidifiers, read through our indoor air quality page. Then give our team a call to find out what’s best for your home—262-548-1300.