Modern research suggests avoiding a relative humidity below 30% in winter. Many sleep-related studies indicate that 40% RH may be even better. Achieving an optimal RH in winter can be difficult. Air is naturally drier in winter, and if you have a furnace, it can exacerbate that dryness. The solution is often a whole-home humidifier. These systems add water vapor to the air to provide an ideal RH throughout a home. Let’s explore the many benefits of avoiding air that’s too dry.
Better Home Comfort
Moisture in your body is essential to retaining heat. During winter, the air in a home tends to be drier and absorbs moisture from the environment. That environment includes your skin, and the moisture loss in your skin contributes to heat leaving your body. This ongoing change causes you to perceive the temperature as colder and makes you less comfortable. The process is less noticeable when the RH is in the optimal range and you feel warmer and more comfortable.
Greater Energy Efficiency
Better comfort has the potential for greater energy efficiency as well. Many households that add a whole-home humidifier can lower their normal heat setting by one to three degrees. That may not seem like a lot, but it can make a dramatic difference over a winter. The Department of Energy estimates that a 1-3-degree change translates to a 1-3% savings on your heating bill. You’ll not only save money but reduce your household’s carbon footprint. It will decrease how often your heating system cycles, avoid wear and tear and potentially extend system life.
Avoid Respiratory Irritation and Inflammation
Skin is just one aspect of your body where drier air absorbs moisture. It also absorbs moisture from your eyes, nostrils, mouth, throat, and lungs. Prolonged exposure to RH below 40% dries out the mucous membrane and damages cilia. Cilia are delicate hair-like structures that help to trap particulate matter. The dryness and less effective cilia lead to respiratory irritation and less efficient oxygen acquisition. That can make you more tired, and irritation may lead to inflammation, which is your body’s immune response.
Curb Allergic Reactions and Symptoms
Respiratory irritation and inflammation make you more sensitive. They can even lead to temporary allergic reactions with symptoms like headaches, runny nose, and sore throat. In people with persistent allergies, dry air can trigger allergic reactions and may also cause allergy symptoms to become more severe.
Some people use portable humidifiers for allergy relief, and they can be effective in your immediate space. One potential downside is that they get dirty quickly and worsen allergies. That’s why you must clean portable humidifiers at least every several days. It’s much less of a concern with whole-home humidifiers, as they don’t store water. You generally only need to clean a whole-home humidification system once a year.
Alleviate Asthma Symptoms
Low RH is also problematic for people with asthma and other serious respiratory conditions. Drier air makes breathing more difficult, which is tough on people who already have difficulty breathing. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology warns that an RH below 30 can trigger episodes and worsen symptoms, including:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
Prevent the Flu, Colds, and Other Illnesses
Respiratory irritation and inflammation make you more prone to infection, which means that exposure to bacteria and viruses is more likely to make you sick. A whole-home humidifier can help avoid the flu, the common cold, a sore throat, etc. For even better protection, you may also want to consider an in-duct ultraviolet lamp. UV lamps emit light that can neutralize most pathogens in a home.
Promote a Healthier Cough
An occasional cough is normal and healthy, especially during winter when the colder, drier air irritates your respiratory system. Your body traps dust, germs, and other matter in phlegm. A cough is a natural reflex that clears your lungs and airways of phlegm. Moisture makes that process more efficient and effective. When the air is dry, you may cough more often, and phlegm will be stickier and more easily trapped.
Reduce Snoring and Sleep More Restfully Overall
Any respiratory irritation you experience from dry air persists while you’re sleeping. Low RH can cause snoring in people who otherwise don’t snore. It can also worsen snoring in those prone to it. There are three stages of non-REM sleep. The third stage, deep sleep, is crucial to the restorative process. Snoring is more prevalent in the second stage and can interfere with your transition into the third.
Relieve Dry Skin and Avoid Other Skin Problems
Dry air absorbs moisture from your skin, making dry skin more prevalent in winter. Increasing the humidity in your environment can help avoid itchiness and cracking. This is particularly important for people with eczema and other skin conditions. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a humidifier to alleviate symptoms of many skin disorders.
Improve Hair Health
Moisturization is essential to hair health. Dry hair is harder to control and more prone to split ends, breakage, and other issues. Using a humidifier improves moisture retention not only in the hair but also in the scalp. Moisture enhances hair elasticity, improves the effectiveness of hair treatments, and helps protect against environmental damage.
Lessen Static Electricity
Static electricity refers to the buildup of an electrical charge on an object, such as a doorknob. Those charges can dissipate naturally through the moisture in the air. When RH is below 40%, the charges don’t dissipate as quickly and can accumulate and eventually arc to another object. Static electricity is generally just an annoyance, but there are scenarios where it can cause damage. That includes damage to circuit boards in computers and other devices.
Protect Your Home and Possessions
Dry air absorbs moisture from its environment, including your home. That is why dry air is bad for hardwood floors and wood furniture. It also shortens the life of paint and wallpaper. Dry air can also affect many possessions, including documents, artwork, and electronics.
Achieve Healthier Houseplants
Humidity affects how much water your houseplants need and how effectively they move nutrients from their roots to their leaves. With an optimal RH, you won’t have to water your plants as often. Your plants will be more robust, colorful, and less prone to shrinkage and brittleness.
Whole-Home Humidifier Installation in Denver
Horizon Services has served Denver, CO, and the surrounding areas since 1998. We’re an EPA-certified company and a Trane Comfort Specialist that employs NATE-certified technicians. We serve both residential and commercial customers. Our technicians install, maintain, and replace all ducted and ductless heating and cooling systems, including furnaces and boilers. Our indoor air quality team specializes in ventilation, cleaning, and humidity control. We install and service conventional water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and tankless systems. Our team also repairs garage doors and openers. Contact us today or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment or ask questions about our products and services.
