Having an adequate amount of moisture isn’t only beneficial to your home, it is also important for your throat, skin, and your overall wellness.
During the cold months of winter, humidity levels tend to drop since cold air can hold less moisture compared to warm air. Since most homes in Minnesota use forced air heating which utilizes combustion to create warm air, the humidity level will even be more critical.
When a home is less humid, the air will feel cooler which means you need to turn up your furnace to get your desired heat. Low humidity is also attributed to dry skin and a higher risk of catching airborne diseases.
A whole home humidifier is a great way to solve all of these issues. Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is a heating company in Brooklyn Park, MN that offers humidification systems designed to control the moisture throughout your home.
Humidity and Health
During the winter, furnaces and cold temperatures may lead to dry air with low humidity, leading to dry skin, irritated sinuses and throat, and itchy eyes.
When exposed to low humidity, the mucous membrane lining your respiratory tract can dry out and inflame, increasing your risk of colds, influenza, and other respiratory tract infections.
Flu viruses thrive and spread more easily when humidity levels are low.
Low humidity could be a factor if you struggle with dry, irritated eyes since it is known to increase the evaporation of tears. This may break the moisture balance necessary for a healthy, comfortable eye surface.
Reduced moisture combined with colder temperatures tends to cause damage to your skin as well. Many suffer from what is commonly referred to as “winter itch”, a condition caused by inadequate humidity that makes the skin dry, scaly, and itchy.
Other Effects of Low Humidity
If you have hardwood floors, artwork, books, or wooden furniture, insufficient humidity can cause them to lose moisture and contract, leading to cracks and other forms of damage. It should be mentioned that while low humidity is most common in the winter, it can also occur in dry environments or during the summer due to excessive air conditioning.
In addition to the effects to your health, excess moisture can also harm your electronic devices, which are sensitive to damage by condensation. Moisture can corrode internal contacts and lower insulation resistance, which may cause short circuits.
What is a Humidifier?
A humidifier is an appliance that increases moisture in an individual room or an entire building. In the home, portable humidifiers are commonly used to add moisture to a single room, while whole home or furnace humidifiers are connected to a home’s HVAC system, providing humidity to the entire house.
Benefits of Using a Humidifier
A humidifier helps you heal faster. If you have cold, allergies or asthma, a humidifier can help lubricate your nasal passages, which aids in faster healing, especially when the weather is cold.
Also, the added humidity from a humidifier keeps the throat from drying out and relieves the intensity of snoring.
Properly moisturized air prevents the development of viruses and bacteria. A humidifier can keep you and your family from catching airborne diseases.
Humidifiers are not disturbing to your daily life and run quietly and efficiently in the background without most people even noticing.
By adding the right amount of moisture into the air, it will feel warmer, which can lower your heating bills during winter.
Humidifiers are normally connected to the home’s plumbing system, so the water used for humidification is directly supplied to the unit. They provide moisture to your home without the need for constant checking on the equipment.
How Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning Can Help
A whole home humidifier offers a number of benefits not just to your health but also to your overall home environment. If you need help in identifying the right humidification system for your home, call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning.
Since 1974, we have been the Maple Grove HVAC company that provides high-quality heating and cooling solutions to homeowners in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Our employees understand that above anything else, your comfort is our top priority. Rest assured that all systems we install, whether it’s a furnace, an air conditioner, an air purifier, or a humidifier, will be set up according to federal, state, and manufacturer’s guidelines.