Why Is My House So Dry This Winter?
Dry indoor air is a common complaint we hear from Cincinnati homeowners over the winter. Increased exposure to cold and dry air can cause a number of comfort issues, as well as affect your health.
Keep reading to learn how you can add more moisture to your home to improve the indoor air quality and keep you and your family members safe and healthy.
Why Is the Air So Dry During the Winter Months?
Cold air simply doesn’t hold moisture as well as warmer air. During the winter, when cool, dry outdoor air infiltrates the home through cracks and open doors, the indoor environment will become dryer. When the air in your home is heated by your furnace or another heating system, the air expands, which decreases the amount of moisture in the air.
Negative Effects of Dry Indoor Air
- Nose bleeds
- Dry skin and chapped lips
- Increased allergy and asthma symptoms
- Colds and flu infections
- Static electricity
- Shrinkage and cracks in wood flooring, cabinets, and furnishings. When the air is too dry, wood can dry out, causing it to split and crack
- Peeling wallpaper
Solving Dry Air Issues
To improve comfort and prevent health issues in the winter, indoor humidity levels should be kept between 35 and 50 percent. To make up for the moisture lost as air expands from heating, you’ll need to add moisture to your air.
Eliminate dry air indoors this winter by installing a whole home humidifier. A whole home humidifier adds moisture to your indoor air and distributes it throughout your home. They are much more effective than portable humidifiers, which only provide service for one room or small area.
Some of the different types of whole home humidifiers include:
Bypass Humidifiers
These models draw air from your heating ducts, add humidity as air flows through its water panel, and then return humidified air to the system where it is circulated into your home.
Fan-powered Humidifiers
These units have their own fan which forces air across the unit’s water panel, where moisture is added to the air.
Steam Humidifiers
Steam humidifiers heat water to create steam, which is distributed throughout the home to add moisture to the air.
Indoor Air Quality Services from Nelson Comfort
Did you know the air indoors is two to five times more polluted than the air outside? That’s why it’s important to keep your family safe and comfortable with the installation of indoor air quality equipment to improve the air quality inside your home.
The IAQ experts at Nelson Comfort care about the health of your family. We can install the best brands in the market for humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air cleaners, and ultraviolet air purifiers. When you contact us, we’ll properly evaluate your needs and create an IAQ plan that’s specific for your home and family. If the air in your house is too dry, we can help.
Contact Nelson Comfort for Humidifier Installation
Don’t suffer in a dry house this winter. Remedy winter dry air issues with a new whole house humidifier from Nelson Comfort. Our indoor air quality technicians are expertly trained to maintain, repair, and install all types of humidifiers. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule an estimate.
About The Author
Dan Detmer
Dan Detmer is the owner of Nelson Comfort. Dan was born into the heating and cooling industry, coming from a family of well respected HVAC contractors in Dayton, Ohio. After working in the family business, Dan decided to work for a local HVAC wholesale business helping local contractors grow their business. When he felt his heart moving him back into the residential and light commercial business, Dan joined the Mortimer Heating & Cooling team in Cincinnati, where he had called home and become part of the community for several years. After a short period of time Dan purchased the company and created what is today, Nelson Comfort. Today he operates a company based on integrity, honesty, and stellar customer service. If you have any questions feel free to tweet (at sign) NelsonComfort and we will get right back with you!
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