Is your home suffering from the effects of a semi-arid climate? Are you afraid of turning on a light switch after walking across the carpeting? Is the piano needing more than once a year tuning? And how about that chronic dry skin of yours?
Like our bodies, your Colorado home needs adequate hydration. The dry climate, especially in the winter, puts stress on a home’s interior and, in turn, can affect the occupants health.
It’s not uncommon to see the relative humidity in Colorado drop into the teens; recommended indoor humidity levels are between 30-40 percent in the winter. Once your furnace starts running, it provides much needed heat in your home but also ends up drying out the air. Conversely, during the summer, your air conditioning unit can also dry out the air while cooling it.
If you don’t have any humidifiers in your home, make sure you understand why dry air can impact your health as well as your home.
Check the Humidity Levels in Your Home
If you don’t have a relative humidity gauge (hygrometer) in your home, now is the time to buy one. They are inexpensive and provide a valuable insight into the air in your home. Amazon and Home Depot have a variety of low-cost options on hygrometers.
If you are experiencing a lot of static electricity, nasal congestion and even frequent bloody noses, it’s likely the air in your home is too dry. Remember, relative humidity levels should be at least in the low 30s. If not, it’s time to purchase a humidifier.
What are the Main Benefits of Humidifiers?
Most importantly, humidifiers boost the level of humidity in your home, which is important for all those living in a semi-arid climate. Proper humidity levels help protect your home furnishings, and reduce the likelihood of furniture cracking and showing signs of distress.
With the proper amount of humidity inside your home, you’ll likely experience improved breathing conditions and a reduction in respiratory illnesses during the winter months. In addition, humidifiers help prevent dry skin, chapped lips and do wonders for people experiencing problems with allergies and asthma.
With the proper amount of humidity inside your home, you’ll likely experience improved breathing conditions and a reduction in respiratory illnesses during the winter months. In addition, humidifiers help prevent dry skin, chapped lips and do wonders for people experiencing problems with allergies and asthma.
According to Airbetter.org, both Honeywall and Vicks humidifiers are at the top of the list of best performing products and are relatively inexpensive. Before committing to one product, consider the size of the room, filter requirements and overall care, whether you prefer cool or warm mist and the noise level of the unit. Furthermore, many models recommend using filtered or distilled water so keep that in mind before purchasing. There are many products on the market so it’s in your best interest to do some research before deciding on a particular model.
Where to Position Your Humidifier
An appropriate location is a flat, level, and firm surface at least five inches away from walls or any heat sources. Ideally, the humidifier should be a couple of feet off the ground and rest in a plastic tray to prevent spills. In addition, be sure not to place objects close to or on top of the humidifier as this could block air openings. Check the area around the humidifier regularly to make sure absorbent materials such as carpeting, curtains, or tablecloths do not become wet as this can promote mold growth.
In the bedroom, the humidifier should be several feet away from your bed.
Keep in mind you’ll probably need several humidifiers to provide adequate coverage for your home. Smaller humidifiers will suffice in bedrooms whereas living rooms may need more coverage and hence, a larger unit. And most units will require at least daily refilling, if not more.
Humidifiers Attached to Your Furnace
If you are able to spend a little extra money, the best remedy is to attach a humidifier to your furnace. This home improvement enhancement is sure to add value to your home and make your surroundings more livable and enjoyable.
The beauty of this setup is that the humidifier will circulate moist air, through the fan, even when the furnace isn’t running. As a result, humidity levels will remain constant throughout your home, even when the heat isn’t on. Furthermore, the units have a separate control so you can adjust the humidity levels in your home to reach the optimal level. Finally, and best of all, you don’t have to manually refill the device on a daily basis!
Make sure you get a couple of quotes from reputable HVAC companies and be sure you ask what product you’ll be receiving. Some of the best known providers of all-home humidifiers are Aprilaire and Honeywell. Prices on these types of humidifiers plus installation fees can range from several hundred dollars up to nearly $1,000, depending upon the size of your home and the configuration of your furnace.
(Editor’s note: This blog was previously published in February of 2020. It has been edited and update to provide up-to-date information. It was co-written by Pat O’Connor and Kevin Jefferson. Jefferson writes a home improvement blog, Plainhelp.com, and he has gone through an extensive home renovation with his son. He is now the proud owner of his dream house. You can read more about his work on PlainHelp.
