A humidifier is essential to keep your family healthy and comfortable year-round. Dry air in the winter isn’t just uncomfortable, it can cause various problems, including lowered energy efficiency, mold and mildew growth, and increased heating costs.
Increasing indoor humidity levels with a whole-house humidifier prevents viruses and bacteria from quickly traveling through the air and infecting people. Moreover, it reduces symptoms of colds and sinus infections.
Better Sleep
A whole-house humidifier improves your home’s comfort level and plays a vital role in protecting your family. Air too dry can cause many symptoms, including stuffy noses, irritated eyes, chapped lips and more.
The best whole house humidifers can balance your home’s humidity levels to help improve sleep and productivity, reduce static electricity, and preserve items at risk of cracking due to low air moisture. They may even be the cheapest way to ensure you and your loved ones breathe clean and healthy air.
While most people are familiar with small, portable humidifiers in a single room, the best whole-house humidifiers install directly into your home’s heating and cooling system. These units can introduce an even moisture flow through your ductwork all year and offer the most control. They’re an excellent choice for Allentown area homeowners, especially if you suffer from allergies, chronic coughing or sneezing, or want to protect your family from the dangers of too much dry air.
Increased Energy Efficiency
A whole-house humidifier helps reduce your energy bills by making your home feel warmer and allowing you to keep your thermostat at lower temperatures, reducing the time your furnace or AC system is on. According to the Department of Energy, a typical homeowner can save as much as 3% on their energy costs for each degree that they lower their thermostat during the winter.
A whole-home humidifier also improves the quality of your indoor air. Dry air makes your furnace work harder, which increases your heating bills.
It can also deteriorate your furniture, flooring, paint, wallpaper, and other items.
The good news is that a whole-house humidifier works hand-in-hand with your current HVAC system to keep humidity levels consistent year-round. These devices are quiet, require minimal maintenance, and can last 8-10 years.
Reduced Asthma Symptoms
Humidifiers help people living with asthma by enhancing the moisture in the air. Increased humidity will relieve bronchial pain and discomfort, relax respiratory muscles, and make breathing easier while sleeping.
A dry, cold air environment can worsen an asthmatic’s symptoms and trigger attacks. The cool, dry air can also irritate nerves in the lungs and cause inflammation.
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes a tightening of the bronchial muscles, causing shortness of breath and wheezing.
The right amount of moisture in the air is essential for good indoor air quality (IAQ). A whole-house humidifier provides precise control over the humidity level.
Low humidity can aggravate allergies and asthma, while too much moisture can lead to mold and fungi growth in your home. Fortunately, a hygrometer or a compatible thermostat can keep your home’s humidity levels in a healthy range.
Reduced Skin Irritation
When humidity levels are low in your home, it can irritate your skin and cause rashes and allergies to flare up. A whole-house humidifier helps reduce irritation by adding moisture to your home’s air.
Keeping your indoor air regulated to a comfortable 40 to 60 percent relative humidity (RH) is essential for your and your family’s health during wintertime. In addition to reducing the risk of colds and flu, properly regulating the moisture in your home can also help fight the growth of germs such as bacteria, molds, and dust mites that can exacerbate allergy and eczema symptoms.
Many homeowners also find that a whole home humidifier can help them sleep better. Dry air makes breathing difficult through your nose, throat, and soft palate. A full-house humidifier keeps your air hydrated to help you breathe easier, and it may even reduce snoring and make your nighttime breathing more comfortable.
