Does you house really need a humidifier?
Humidity gets a bad rap thanks to what we remember about summertime humidity. Because of the bad rap, most people forget about humidity in the winter.
Here’s why you shouldn’t forget about humidity in the winter:
The frigid cold air of winter dries up humidity (moisture) in the air — causing plant life to wither, an uncomfortable side effect for your home. Don’t let this happen to you or your plants! Add a humidifier — re-introduce moisture into the air to reduce the effects of dry air. Create a more comfortable environment by promoting better air quality and health throughout your home.
If there’s a time to invest in a humidifier, it’s now. Here’s what you can expect from adding one:
Better Personal Health
If you have to ask yourself if you need a humidifier, the likely answer is no. If you truly need a humidifier, you’ll feel it. Most everyone is familiar with the usual telltale signs of winter air: parched and itchy skin, cracked knuckles, dry eyes, chapped lips, irritated nasal passages, snoring, or any combination of the above. All are worsened when the air is moisture-deficient. In addition to aloe, moisturizing lotions, and lip balm, a humidifier works to abate these symptoms.
Lessen Congestion and Sinus Pressure
They don’t call it “cold and flu season” for nothing! Your respiratory system also suffers from the dryness of winter. Every time you breathe in icy air through your nose and throat, moisture is drained from your sinus passages. Those plagued with sinus congestion or seasonal coughs and colds will appreciate the reinvigorating hydration a humidifier can provide to hasten the healing process. Even if you’re not sick, a humidifier can help prevent illness and keep those vexing symptoms at bay.
Cost-Effectively Combat the Cold
Humidifiers work as hard to combat the cold as any other appliance. They help regulate indoor temperatures by raising humidity levels to add heat without having to physically turn up the heat. It’s the same principle in the summer when high humidity makes the outdoor temperature feel much hotter than it technically is. Humidifiers stabilize your thermostat use, to keep your costs in check.
Old House with Good Bones
Do you notice that your older home’s classic wood floors start creaking and cracking more than usual in the winter? Wood organically shrinks and splits in the cold without adequate moisture, making it less pliable. The effects aren’t limited to older homes nor wood floors. The caulk used in new homes along the baseboard trim and the countertops will shrink and crack due to lack of humidity. Humidifiers can offer a balanced indoor atmosphere by helping deliver tolerable air that is neither scorching nor overly wet and dank.
