How Can I Control the Moisture in My Home?
We all know that during the winter, the air in our homes can be very dry – we can suffer from dry skin, itchy eyes, irritated nasal passages. We feel static electricity in our hair and clothing. We have all been there. The air in your home makes a difference in how we feel. And you can do something about it.
I don’t have a cold so why do I feel stuffed up?
Breathing dry air all winter can also irritate respiratory ailments and make us feel stuffed up. It causes the upper airways in your nose to narrow.
In some cases, dry air can lead to asthma, bronchitis, the common cold, the flu, and even nosebleeds. … because the humidity in the winter is so low.
Many illnesses are also affected by indoor pollutants. In the winter our windows are closed and the circulation of fresh air is not happening.
During the summer, the warmer air holds moisture but during the winter months, cold dry outside air infiltrates the house. And to top it off, we heat our homes causing hot air to rise and the dry colder air to settle into the lower areas of your house. This is what causes the house to feel so dry.
Dry air affects your home too
Dry air can also pull moisture from the wood in your home – your hardwood floors, your doors, and wood window frames. You might find doors hard to open or close or you many see gaps that let the cold air into your home. The wood is deprived of moisture.
Moisture makes us feel better
Air that is moist makes it easier to breathe and we feel more comfortable. Moist air is not only healthier, but it is also less expensive to heat than dry air.
A humidifier replenishes the moisture in your home – being able to adjust the humidity in your home is essential to your overall comfort.
A1 is here to help you with achieving optimum levels of filtration and moisture control in your home.
We know there is a balance
With the warmer months coming, we will slowly feel the return of high humidity.
Indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60 percent — ideally between 30 percent and 50 percent, if possible.
We know that high humidity can create faster growth of bacteria, dust mites, mould and mildew – all allergy triggers. Mould and pollen are everywhere and can make your allergies start to act up!
To combat this, a room humidifier can help or whole-house solution can help you feel more comfortable.
There are two main types of humidifiers….
A bypass humidifier is one that uses the airflow created by your furnace to deliver moisture through your home. They typically mount out of sight in the basement or attic and require very little maintenance. Best utilized for small to medium-sized homes. The furnace must be running for a bypass humidifier to work.
Even better, a fan-powered humidifier can work on its own… it uses its own electric fan to move the air. They have the power to add moisture across a larger square footage, making a fan humidifier an ideal choice for larger spaces. Water is more efficiently used compared to a bypass humidifier, with more water converting to humidity.
An excellent product in our Genius line is our 18P Fan Powered Humidifier that features a sleek, versatile design. This is a great option if you’re looking for a low maintenance humidifier that can help reduce heating bills, while still delivering humidification to the entire home.
When is too much humidity a bad thing?
If your indoor humidity levels like to hover at 60%-65% or more, then it’s time to buy a dehumidifier.
Dehumidification lowers energy costs
A dehumidifier also lowers energy costs because it helps your air conditioner run more efficiently. It does not have to work as hard. Running a dehumidifier helps reduce dust in your home, so you won’t have to clean as often. Who has ever complained about that?
Should I use a humidifier in the summer?
A cool-mist humidifier is used to treat nasal and chest congestion from the common cold, allergies, or a sinus infection, according to MayoClinic.com. Use a cool-mist humidifier during the summer months when pollen and mould counts are at their highest and counteract the effects of air conditioning
So now what?
Get started today… we want to help!
Our licensed technicians at A1 can help identify the best solutions to keeping your family happy, healthy, and comfortable!
Rest assured that as an essential business our team is well equipped with proper PPE’s and sanitization materials. They have been mandated to wear face masks, gloves, wipe all surfaces with disinfectants, and observe proper social distancing. If you have any specific requests regarding safety, let us know and we’d be more than happy to accommodate your needs. We are also offering the option to receive your no-obligation quote virtually, through Facetime, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or your own preferred platform.
A1 Air Conditioning & Heating is proud to offer several home comfort solutions for improving your indoor air quality. Contact us today to learn more!
A1 Air Conditioning & Heating started as a family business in 1967 and 53 years later, we’re still family-owned and operated!
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