Humidity is important for our health. A normal humidity level is needed for feeling comfortable. However, low humidity during winter has all kinds of undesirable effects. Your skin can feel dry, your lips can start to chap and your eyes can start to itch. Sore eyes, difficulty in breathing, and painful sinuses are also common problems caused by air that lacks humidity.
Cold weather makes the air dry which can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation. Many people suffer from a sore throat, dry nasal passages as well as itchiness and dryness of the skin because of exposure to dry air.
In addition, dry air makes the air temperature feel cooler than humidified air, so in order to reach your desired comfort level, you need to set the thermostat higher, which results in higher utility bills.
In winter, especially when cold outside air is heated indoors, the humidity may drop to as low as 10–20 percent. This low humidity can cause negative health effects, by drying out mucous membranes such as the lining of the nose and throat, and can cause respiratory irritation. Insufficient moisture also can affect wooden furniture, causing shrinkage and loose joints or cracking of pieces. Books, papers, and artworks may dwindle or bend and become brittle in very low humidity.
In addition to damage to your health, too much moisture can also damage your electronic devices, which are sensitive to damage by condensation. Moisture can corrode internal contacts and lower insulation resistance, which may cause short circuits.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is a top HVAC company in Columbia Heights, MN that carries whole home humidifiers that can help set the right amount of humidity into your home.
This article features the Aprilaire Model 600 Humidifier.
What is Humidity?
Humidity is the amount of water vapor present in the air. Water vapor is the gaseous state of water and is invisible to the human eye.
How Does a Humidifier Work?
A humidifier uses a humidity-sensing control that turns the device on and off and a water panel that adds water vapor to the circulated air when needed. In dry air conditions, the sensor identifies the humidity level and adjusts the amount of added water vapor, giving your skin the moisture it needs and helping to keep your home from drying out.
A humidifier adds moisture to an individual room or an entire building. In the home, point-of-use humidifiers are commonly used to humidify a single room, while whole-house or furnace humidifiers, which connect to a home’s HVAC system, provide humidity to the entire house.
A humidifier offers benefits that include:
- Improved sleep
- Lower risk of infections
- Faster healing process
- Lower heating bills
- Low maintenance
The Aprilaire Model 600 Humidifier
The Aprilaire Model 600 Humidifier is a large-capacity unit, which is one of the best-performing bypass humidifiers on the market.
This is a whole-home solution that helps you achieve total comfort through humidity control. The Model 600 is installed on your central heating and cooling system ductwork by a qualified HVAC professional.
Model 600 Features
- Features a built-in bypass damper, which means fewer parts to install
- Delivers up to 50% more moisture than competitive units
- Has an evaporation capacity of 0.70 gallons per hour
- Humidifies tightly constructed homes up to 4,000 square feet in size
- Delivers optimum levels of humidity control with the Automatic Digital Humidifier Control. You never have to monitor your settings or wait until you feel uncomfortable.
- Provides vital service, temperature and relative humidity indicators in manual mode as well.
- Performs quietly with simple annual maintenance.
- Incorporates easy right or left discharge change-over.
Here are added benefits the Model 6000 offers.
Reduces Airborne Viruses
Just the right amount of humidity can keep colds and flu at bay and reduces aggravating asthma symptoms.
Improves Energy Efficiency
Feel more comfortable at lower temperatures.
Protects Your Home
Aprilaire humidifiers deliver the perfect amount of humidity to protect your wood floors and furniture from dry-air damage.
Ask the Experts in Home Comfort
If you need more information about this product, call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. We can provide you with helpful information needed for you to make an informed decision.
We are a leading New Hope heating and air conditioning contractor that is trusted by homeowners because we consistently deliver outstanding solutions.