In our climate, home humidification can be necessary in the cold winter months, when the air is dry and the furnace is on. In these situations, the benefits of a whole-house humidifier are hard to deny.
First, Understanding Relative Humidity
Relative humidity is generally expressed as how much humidity is in the air as compared to how much it can hold before condensation takes place. For humans, the most comfortable relative humidity is in the 30 to 50 percent range. When humidity is higher, moisture from our skin doesn’t evaporate as well, leaving us feeling clammy. Any lower, and the air may be too dry, causing skin to dry out and irritating nasal passages, eyes and throats.
Adding Moisture
One of the best ways to add moisture to the air is with a whole-house humidifier. Many regular activities, such as showering, boiling water and cooking can add moisture, but usually not enough. With a whole-house humidifier, homeowners can control how much moisture is released into the air, keeping the humidity comfortable for the home’s occupants.
Benefits of a Whole-House Humidifier
- A whole-house humidifier allows the homeowner to set the humidity exactly as he or she wants it to be, so that the desired range of 30 to 50 percent can be achieved.
- Whole-house humidity in a range of 30 to 50 percent will relieve such symptoms of a too-dry environment as flaking, itching skin, and irritated noses and throats. What’s more, higher humidity can help help prevent illness. Often, when noses and throats dry out, the tissue cracks and allows bacteria and viruses to enter our bodies and make us sick.
- A whole-house humidifier doesn’t require as much maintenance as a portable model, and it provides more uniform humidity. It also doesn’t require moving the appliance from room to room since it’s installed in the HVAC system.
For more information on the benefits of a whole-house humidifier, contact Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning and Heating. We proudly serve homeowners in and around the McKinney area.
