HOME HUMIDIFIER BENEFITS INCLUDE KEEPING YOU HEALTHY

Home Humidifiers Help Keep You Healthy

Probably the biggest benefit of a whole home humidifier is keeping you healthier in the cold weather. That’s usually why people think about getting one in the first place. These make a huge difference in indoor air quality. In particular, they can:

  • Protect your throat and sinuses
  • Prevent nosebleeds and nasal congestion
  • Prevent flu germs from spreading
  • Reduce snoring
    You probably know someone who gets random nosebleeds in the winter. It’s kind of gross, right? Well, imagine how they must feel. Anyway, a lot of times, those people end up treating the air in their home come wintertime.

Humidifiers make a big difference here. When the air is dry, the membranes in your nose won’t stay moisturized. They can crack, which causes the bleeding. Like we said, kind of gross.

At the same time, the water vapor in the air soothes your throat and sinuses. That also cuts down on headaches, sinus pressure and sore throats. And, yes: snoring.

When the air’s too dry, your throat swells a little. And, your nose can get congested. Those create just the right conditions for you to sound like you’re sawing logs all night.

But, there’s more! Keeping the right amount of moisture in the air can also stop you from getting sick. For this, we go to the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers found that the flu isn’t a big fan of moisture. The drier the air, the longer the virus can survive. And, it can travel easier from person to person. That could be, in part, why the flu season is the winter. That’s when the air is dry.

So, the study says, you can reduce your chances of getting the flu if you maintain the right humidity levels in your home. This way, the virus doesn’t survive as long, and it can’t travel as easily as it can in dry air.

A Humidifier is Good for Keeping Your Home Warm in the Winter

We talked about health, now let’s talk money! Ok, comfort too. But money! The long and short of it is, a humidifier is good for keeping your home warm when the temperature outside drops. That keeps you comfy. And, it keeps your energy bills down.

To start, think about the summer. It gets hot and sticky, right? And then you hear about places like Arizona. It’s hot, but it’s not that bad because it’s a dry heat. What’s that about?

Well, without going too far into the science, it’s safe to say that humid air retains heat better than dry air. That’s part of why it seems hotter when it’s muggy out.

So, what’s happening when you turn on your heater is that it’s adding heat but not moisture. That makes the air dry. It also makes it a little harder for the air to hold onto the heat.

So, you want to put more moisture in the air. That way, the air stays warmer. And, you’ll feel warmer, too. That moisture also prevents heat from escaping your body.

Of course, this won’t bring your heating bill down to zero. But, depending on how much humidity you add, you could make 65 degrees easily feel like 70. That makes a difference.

Controlling Humidity Protects Your Furniture and Floors

Want to keep your hardwood floors and favorite couch in good condition? Add some humidity in the winter! The same goes for acoustic guitars, too, actually.

The problem is that wood will crack when it gets too dry. Of course, you’re keeping water off that stuff. But, there’s still moisture inside the wood.

Think about this: Ever pull a branch off a tree and try to break it? It’s not so easy. You’ll more have to twist it until it comes apart. That’s even if it’s not wet at all on the outside.

But, if you pick up a branch that’s been sitting on the ground, it’s much easier to snap apart. It’ll even make a nice cracking sound, too. The reason? Much less moisture inside.

The same applies to your furniture and floors. And your guitar. You want a certain amount of moisture in the air. If it’s already a problem, you may want to also invest in a hygrometer.

That machine will read the amount of moisture in the air. That way, you can adjust things accordingly. But, you should be able to feel if things are about right or not.

Now, too much moisture in the air can be a problem. That’s especially so in the winter when you’re keeping the windows closed. Then, that excess water vapor can’t escape.

After a while, you can create a breeding ground for mildew and fungus. You may also notice wallpaper peeling or condensation on your windows.

But, that’s all a pretty sharp turn in the other direction. More often than not, a house doesn’t have enough humidity in the winter.

Depending on your needs, you can start with a small model that handles one small room. Or, you can go all the way up to a whole-house system that runs through your vents.

Are you getting nosebleeds or nasal congestion? Is your furniture showing signs of stress? Or, do you want to increase the heat and comfort in your home? You’ll want to consider these factors when you’re looking for what’s right for you.

Are you considering a humidification system for your home? Contact us at (630) 504-8688, and we’ll recommend a setup that fits your needs — and your budget.