The amount of water vapor in the home is a very important component of indoor air quality. When there is too much water vapor, mold, mildew and other micro-organisms proliferate. When air is too dry, such as during the winter, comfort and health suffer from side effects like dry and itchy eyes, sore throat, fatigue and more. Read on to learn how a home humidifier can alleviate dry indoor air and return comfort to your home.
Dry Wintertime Air
Dry indoor air is prevalent in the winter primarily because as cool outdoor air is heated by the furnace, the air expands. This expansion reduces the relative humidity, which makes the air feel very dry. Moreover, a furnace removes water vapor from ducted airflow during the heating process.
Humidity Increases Comfort
Humidifiers are available in portable units or as more effective whole-house models. Both types of humidifiers add moisture to the air, but are comparable in quality to a portable heater and a furnace. You can’t very well heat an entire home with a portable heater, and the same can be said for a portable humidifier. However, portable humidifiers can play a role in single rooms and smaller areas of the home.
Home Humidifier for Health
Maintaining optimal humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent is important for health, as well as comfort. The problem is actually two-fold. Dry indoor air creates sustainable conditions for the flu virus and other harmful micro-organisms. When viruses come into contact with a dry respiratory tract of household member, the chances for infection and sickness are increased.
Whole-Home Humidification
A whole-home humidifier attaches to the HVAC system and distributes water vapor to ducted airflow. There are a few popular types of whole-home systems, such as a steam or evaporative, but the end result is essentially the same. A portion of airflow is directed through the humidifier where moisture is added. The humidified airflow is distributed to the home as usual during the heating cycle.
To learn more about a home humidifier for your Fort Wayne home, please contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about humidifiers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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