When winter hits, it’s time to crank up the heater. Unfortunately, as the weather cools, the air gets drier. This is made worse by forced-air heating systems. Dry air can lead to problems for you and your home. To stay warm without becoming dehydrated, the solution may be to add a whole-home humidifier to your heating and cooling system.
Health and Comfort
Dry air can not only be uncomfortable, but it could also compromise your health. We know you care about the health and comfort of your family. A whole-home humidifier installed by Honey's Air & Solar can help protect your loved ones and your home in Modesto.
When there’s a lack of moisture in the air you breathe, it can dry out your sinus cavities and irritate nasal passages. This can lead to sinusitis and headaches. It can also exacerbate asthma or other breathing problems. At night, dry air can dry out your soft palate, making snoring worse.
Also, when living in dry air, your risk of catching viruses can increase. If someone in your home is ill, the virus in the droplets stays suspended for longer when the air is dry.
Of course, dry air can also dry out your skin. You might notice chapped lips and dry, itchy skin. If you’re constantly reaching for lip balm and lotion, you may want to think about getting a whole-home humidifier.
Dry air also leads to static electricity. This means that you, your family, and your pets can get shocked repeatedly, especially if you have carpet. When static electricity builds up, it can also lead to frizzy hair and clingy clothes.
Dry Air and Your Home
If you have a lot of wood in your home, dry air could be damaging it. Lack of moisture can lead to shrinking, cracking, and warping of wood furniture, flooring, and cabinetry.
We already mentioned problems with static electricity. This also poses a problem for home electronics. Computers, mobile devices, and other sensitive equipment can be damaged by increased static electricity.
Finally, your house plants may be dying for more moisture. Many house plants come from tropical areas where the air is very humid. When you add a whole-home humidifier, you may notice greener, happier plants.
Three Types of Whole-Home Humidifiers
When looking into getting a whole-home humidifier, the first thing to consider is what type. There are three main types: bypass, fan-powered, and steam.
Bypass humidifiers are the most efficient. These are sometimes called drum humidifiers. They work in conjunction with your heating system. Basically, the air is diverted into a bypass chamber where it picks up moisture. It is then sent throughout your home via the heating ducts. Bypass humidifiers are affordable and don’t use any additional electricity.
But bypass humidifiers may not be the best option if your heating system is only in use sporadically. When the heater is not running, then the humidifying system is not working either. It also might not be ideal if you’re in an area with extremely low humidity. Additionally, a bypass system may not be powerful enough for larger homes.
Fan-powered humidifiers are similar to bypass humidifiers. The difference is that they have their own fan system to circulate the humidified air even when the heater is not running. These systems are more expensive but do use more electricity.
Steam humidifiers heat water to generate steam, which is then dispersed through your home heating ducts. They are very effective, but they do use considerable energy to heat the water.
Better Than Portable
You might be tempted to just get a small, portable air humidifier. The problem with these units is that they can’t regulate the overall humidity of your home. Problems with mold and mildew can arise from using these portable units. Plus, the air in other areas of the home will stay dry.
Trust the Experts
If you’re suffering problems caused by dry air in your home, turn to the professionals at Honey's Air & Solar. We serve Modesto and the surrounding areas. In addition to installing, replacing, and maintaining whole-home humidifiers, our services include all of the following:
- Heating and cooling systems
- Indoor air quality solutions
- Solar
- Generators
- Water Heaters
- Maintenance Plans
Honey's Air & Solar has been around since 2009, but our roots in the industry stretch back to the 1950s. Our “No Stinger Promise” means that the price you agree to is the price you’ll pay. Give us a call today to see how we can serve you.
