Why You Need a Humidifier All-Year Round

Many homeowners believe that their humidifiers are only helpful during winter, when the air is dry, causing all kinds of discomfort. You may not be aware of this, but you can run your humidifier throughout the year. That’s because the benefits of running a whole-home humidifier go beyond the cold months.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your leading HVAC company in Circle Pines MN. We have an array of whole-home humidifiers, so regardless of your home’s square footage, we have one that’s right for it.

Understanding Humidity

In its most basic sense, humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. You can see moisture hanging in the air after a hot shower or just by standing in an area with high humidity, especially after heavy rains. The amount of humidity plays a significant role in determining our comfort level. The rule of thumb is, the lower the relative humidity, the easier it is for water vapor to evaporate from our skin and the cooler we feel.

Not having the right humidity levels can affect you in different ways. For example, if your home has low humidity, it can dry out your skin and mucous membranes. You will notice your lips being chapped, skin drying out and becoming itchy, and having a sore throat when you wake up in the morning. It can also increase static electricity, causing you to have sparks each time you touch something metallic or conductive.

Humidifiers 101

A humidifier is responsible for adding moisture back to the air to increase the humidity levels in your home. When you have the right humidity, you are less likely to crank up your furnace when it’s cold out because the air indoors just feels more comfortable.

The most common type of humidifier involves evaporation. It has a reservoir that holds cold water and distributes it into a basin. Then, a filter absorbs the water, followed by a fan that blows air through the vaporized filter. As the air passes through the filter, it evaporates some of the water.

Why Run a Humidifier Year-Round?

It helps prevent the spread of airborne viruses.

According to a study, raising indoor humidity levels to at least 43 percent has a significant effect on about 85 percent of airborne viruses, making them nearly ineffective.

It helps prevent dry skin.

Since more than half of the body is made of water, dry environments may pull moisture out, leaving behind dry skin, chapped lips, and in some cases, dry eyes. The human body depends on having the right amount of water to feel good. Due to the fact that our skin has so much surface area, it is usually the place that we notice first when we are exposed to extremely dry conditions. Also, as mentioned above, our lips and eyes get irritated when not properly hydrated.

Regardless of the weather or your health, your body needs moisture. A humidifier moisturizes your skin and helps clean your pores as well. This will give your skin a healthier look and keep your body temperature at a safe, stable level.

It helps alleviate allergies.

By having a well-balanced level of humidity in your indoor air, you can keep your nasal passages clear of mucus. Having clear nasal passages means that your body has an easier time cleansing any allergens present in your home. Humidifiers have also proven quite effective for those who suffer from sinusitis. Dry air irritants won’t be as powerful with the added moisture in the air.

It prevents wood damage.

As mentioned earlier, low humidity can damage wooden items in your home. This is because wood needs a consistent level of moisture to keep its properties. A humidifier, when used wisely, can help ensure that the wooden items in your home will be as pristine as ever.

Humidifiers are typically connected to the home’s plumbing system, so the water used for humidification is directly supplied to the unit. They provide humidity to your home without the need for constant inspection of the equipment.

Ask the Humidification Pros

Why do you need to run your humidifier throughout the year? Because your body needs proper moisture level year-round. To find out more about humidifiers, call Four Seasons Air Specialists, your reliable Shoreview heating and air conditioning company.