The Benefits of Maintaining a Healthy Humidity Level In Your Home During The Winter

Winter is a time of cozy blankets, warm fires, and hot cocoa. However, it’s also the season when the air inside your home can become dry and uncomfortable. The role of humidity in winter comfort is often underestimated, but it plays a crucial part in creating a pleasant and healthy indoor environment. 

Common Winter Humidity Problems And How To Solve Them

Humidity refers to the amount of moisture present in the air. It’s typically measured as relative humidity, expressed as a percentage. In the winter, the outdoor air is often cold and dry, and when it enters your heated home, it loses even more moisture. This can lead to a drop in indoor relative humidity levels, which can impact comfort in several ways:

  • Skin Discomfort: Low indoor humidity can lead to dry skin, causing itching, flaking, and discomfort. No one wants dry cracked hands during the winter- this can cause irritation and often pain. 
  • Respiratory Health: Dry air can exacerbate respiratory issues and lead to symptoms like coughing and throat irritation. Have you ever woken up in the winter and felt your dry nose and that tickle in the back of your throat? 
  • Temperature Perception: Adequate humidity can make your home feel warmer at lower temperatures, allowing you to lower your thermostat and save on heating costs. 
  • Wooden Furnishings: Low humidity can damage wooden furniture, floors, and even musical instruments by causing them to crack, warp, or shrink. 
  • Electrostatic Discharge: Very dry air can increase the likelihood of static electricity buildup, leading to annoying shocks and potential damage to electronic devices.

Tips For Maintaining A Comfortable Humidity Level In Your Home All Winter Long

So, how can you ensure that your home maintains the ideal humidity levels during winter? Here are some tips:

Use a Humidifier. Invest in a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home. There are various types available, including portable units and whole-house systems that can be integrated with your HVAC system. These devices can help maintain a comfortable indoor humidity level, typically around 30-50%. 

Smaller, portable humidifiers will help in a pinch, but when you’re ready for that whole-house upgrade, call your local TemperaturePro and our experts will create a seamless integration and installation to your current system. 

Monitor Humidity. Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity levels in your home. This inexpensive device can help you gauge whether you need to increase or decrease humidity to maintain ideal levels.

Ventilation & Proper Sealing. Ensure your home is well-sealed to prevent outdoor air from entering excessively. Weatherstripping and sealing gaps around windows and doors can help maintain humidity levels. Schedule your maintenance visit now to get a thorough inspection from one of our TemperaturePro Techs. 

(PS- want to stay on schedule with maintenance and avoid the hassle of remembering to schedule? Join our ProPlan or ProPlan+ Membership!) 

Limit Heater Use. Limit the use of space heaters or central heating systems with excessively dry air. Consider using a lower temperature setting and wearing warm clothing to reduce the need for high heat. Make sure your fans are set to rotate the warm air down through the room, instead of up. 

Houseplants. Houseplants release moisture through a process called transpiration. Placing some indoor plants around your home can help increase humidity naturally.

Boiling Water. Boiling water on the stove or placing containers of water near radiators can add moisture to the air. Just remember to keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t run dry.

The Ideal Humidity Level For Your Home

Humidity plays a significant role in winter comfort, affecting everything from your health to the condition of your home. By maintaining ideal humidity levels, you can create a more comfortable and pleasant indoor environment during the cold winter months. Experiment with the above tips to find the right balance for your home, and say goodbye to dry and uncomfortable winter air.

When you’re ready to upgrade to an efficient heating system that helps with humidity, call your local TemperaturePro. We’ve got you covered.