Over the course of the winter months, the humidity in your home is likely to fall to unhealthy and uncomfortable levels. The low humidity levels can affect you and your home. A whole-house humidifier can help you to improve comfort and relieve symptoms such as dry skin, respiratory tract irritations, static electricity, higher heating costs, and damage to furnishings. Ideally, the humidity indoors should fall between 30 and 50 percent.
When the humidity falls below 30 percent, the dry air will start to affect your body and any wooden products you have indoors. Dry air promotes the spread of viruses and bacteria, and creates static electricity that can damage your home’s electronics. When the wooden products inside your home start losing moisture to the air, they may noticeably shrink and may not return to their original condition when the humidity level rises. Dry air also feels cooler; adding humidity will allow you to turn down the thermostat without sacrificing comfort.
Unless your home is small or doesn’t have a forced-air heating system, a whole-house humidifier offers the most efficient and simple way to bring the humidity up to a safe and comfortable level. A whole-house system is a quiet and energy-efficient way to deliver and control the water vapor in the air. It connects to your home’s furnace and plumbing.
Although different types are available, they all work on the principle of evaporation. The air blowing through your furnace is pulled through a wet pad (water panel), which vaporizes the water and circulates it through your home via the ductwork. You control the level with a humidistat that works like a thermostat. The excess water drains into your home’s plumbing.
A whole-house system requires little care and manages the humidity level throughout your home. In the same way that you follow a maintenance regimen for your HVAC system, it is also important to maintain your humidifier. Proper care will keep your humidifier working efficiently, and prevent bacterial growth.
To learn more about a whole-house humidifier and its benefits, contact the pros at W.E. Brown, Inc. at (434) 295-1177. We have been providing service to the Charlottesville area since 1922.
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