DEALSYES! Especially in the winter. Here are just 7 important reasons why:
In the warmer seasons, it’s not always the heat that gets intolerable, it’s the humidity! In the search for a comfortable indoor temperature, though, humidity is often the component which is neglected. The fact is, the amount of moisture in the air is just as important to the temperature as it is to your health. ALL year around.
Using a humidifier when it’s cold outside is not only one of the better ways to regulate your home’s temperature, it’s a great way to promote improved health for you and your family. It can even lend benefits to your house itself, as well as the plants, animals and humans that inhabitants. Consider these seven reasons when trying to decide if adding a humidifier is important for your home.
1. Better Skin, Better Healing
Dry air is capable of wreaking havoc on your skin. Many people are familiar with the effects of biting winter cold, from chapped lips to dry, cracking knuckles, all problems which can be caused or made worse when insufficient moisture is present in the air. Before you invest in bulk quantities of lotion and lip balm to rehydrate your skin, think about rehydrating your air. Humidifiers add that crucial humidity back into the air to reduce the painful symptoms described above. While those with more sensitive skin will still need to keep the aloe handy, humid air is a great first step toward lessening dry skin issues.
2. Ease Sinus Congestion
Just as your skin can become parched if the air remains too dry, your respiratory system can suffer as well. Winter is cold and flu season for more than one reason–many people who suffer from sinus problems are victims of the dry, chilly air that circulates. When your throat and nasal passages become dried out, your body has a much tougher time fending off viruses and bacteria. If you wake up on particularly crisp mornings feeling like you’re fighting off a cold, it can very likely be from sleeping in dried-out air.
Running a humidifier not only aids in protecting your body from becoming ill, it’s also a good idea if you’re already sick. The conditions that make it easier to get sick are the same ones that make it harder for you to recover, so make it a point to get that moisture circulating again and you’ll be back on your feet in no time.
3. Spare the Static
Have you ever found your home overrun with static but you just couldn’t figure out the cause? A lack of humidity inside may be to blame. When moisture’s lacking, the air’s more conductive to static electricity. You’ll know it every time you go to get dressed, pet the cat, possibly even brush your hair–and the drier it gets, the worse your shocks are likely to be.
Humidifying the air in your home is an ideal way to put your pets at ease, tame the frizz in your hair, and avoid the annoying stick and snag your clothes and linens encounter.
4. Plants Need Two Things
Your houseplants usually only need two things to thrive: water and sunlight. Obviously there’s no replacement for timely watering of your indoor flora, but not all of their hydration comes through you directly. Just as people and animals do, plants utilize moisture from the air; when insufficient humidity exists, unfortunately many types of plants will feel the effects.
Since houseplants have been shown to offer mental and physical health benefits for people, particularly when they’re healthy, it makes plenty of sense to pay a little extra attention to their wellbeing. Of course, plants aren’t the only inanimate objects that can benefit from additional humidity.
5. This Old House
Does your home seem to make more noise when the temperature drops? If you’re hearing lots of creaks and cracks, it’s likely because dry, frigid air is tough on wooden items. Wood shrinks naturally in the cold, and without adequate moisture, it can split and suffer damage. Cold can have a similar effect on paint, necessitating more frequent home repairs and improvements.
Humidifiers don’t just help the living things within your home–they also help your home itself. They’re ideal for achieving a balance in your indoor atmosphere: Air which is not overly-dry but also not too wet and dewy.
6. Counteract the Cold
Perhaps the greatest impact humidifiers can have is in helping to regulate your indoor temperature. The website for the Old Farmer’s Almanac confirms that adding humidity to the air helps it to feel warmer without actually raising the temperature. This is the same reason that a humid summer day often feels several degrees hotter than the thermometer reports.
There are several alternative strategies for adding moisture into the air without the use of a dedicated appliance. For example, if you enjoy hot baths in the winter, consider leaving the warm water sitting after you’re done. This adds subtle moisture to the air until the water goes tepid (think of hot water giving off steam).
7. Stop Snoring
Last but not least, a healthy amount of humidity in the air is a good way to fight snoring problems. Many people suffer from chronic snoring (as do their bedmates), and for a sizeable portion of those individuals, it’s worse in the winter. Try upping the moisture in your bedroom at night to keep sinuses and nasal passages moistened to fight the effects of snoring.
Closing Thoughts
A humidifier can be one of the most effective and affordable home heating solutions when the cold weather sets in, providing your household with a host of benefits in addition to warmth. When all is said and done, the important thing is to avoid excessive exposure to dry air. You can’t always control the atmosphere in your workplace, and you’re subject to the elements while outside and often while traveling. At home and when you sleep, however, you can assure yourself of better health and comfort with the right level of indoor humidity.
Call us today for a free estimate on installing your whole house humidifier (513) 777-7979!
