Home Humidification System Benefits for Your HVAC Unit
Are you looking to improve your indoor air quality? There are small humidifier units that you can simply plug into the wall in a room that needs some extra moisture in the air, but this only addresses the problem in a very small space. The indoor air throughout your entire home might be on the dry side, resulting in a variety of issues like headaches, sinus pain, an increase in asthma attacks, and more. One option that homeowners have for improving their indoor air quality is to have a whole-home humidification system installed onto their HVAC unit. This will add moisture to the entire home, providing a healthier and more comfortable atmosphere. Let’s look at some of the other benefits of a home humidification system installation.
Improving Your Health
When you are consistently breathing in air that is very dry, this can result in your sinuses and nasal passages becoming very dry as well. This leads to irritation of the nose, eyes, mouth, and even skin. People who suffer from things like asthma or allergies can see an increase in their symptoms when they are living in an environment with dry air. In these instances, adding some moisture back into the air is important.
If someone in the home is ill, your home humidification system can help shorten the duration of their illness. Keeping breathing passages moist during an illness can prevent a secondary infection or a lingering cough. This can also help loosen up mucus in the sinuses that is causing discomfort.
Moister air can even decrease the symptom of snoring while you sleep. Snoring is usually harmless, but very loud and persistent snoring can actually increase your risk of health problems. You may experience lower blood oxygen levels while you sleep and snore, which puts you at a greater risk of heart attack or stroke.
Protecting Against Illness
When it comes to cold and flu season, it’s important to know that most viruses and bacteria are not able to survive and thrive in very dry air. Utilizing a home humidification system reduces the spread of germs in the home, so everyone stays healthier throughout the year.
There were a number of studies performed during the past couple of years that considered the relative humidity in the air and how that affects the transmission of COVID-19. There appears to be a direct connection between relative humidity and a lower transmission rate of COVID-19. Because of the fact that relative humidity affects the mucociliary system, this will result in the removal of pathogens before they are able to reach the lungs.
Keeping Your Skin Healthy
A lot of people find that they need to apply a lot of topical products to their skin during the winter in order to keep it healthy and free of irritation. This is because indoor and outdoor air tends to be very dry in the winter. People often deal with itchy, cracking, and irritated skin when their indoor air is dry. Rather than apply more and more creams and lotions, increasing the moisture level of your indoor air can make a dramatic difference. You’ll see a fast change in how your skin looks and feels. Your lips and hair may also appear more hydrated with the use of a home humidification system.
Saving Money on Your Utility Bills
We’ve talked quite a bit about how whole-home humidification can positively impact your health, but it’s important to address that having this unit installed as part of your HVAC system can also help your household budget. When the air inside of your home is moist, this can make the entire home feel warmer since moist air can capture more heat. This allows you to keep the temperature inside your home set to a lower number. This reduces the frequency that your furnace needs to run, which helps to keep your heating costs at a more reasonable amount.
Stopping Static Electricity
Have you noticed that you experience more static electricity in the winter months when it’s dry outside in Charleston? That’s because static thrives in a very dry and cool environment. By adding more moisture, you’re increasing the humidity and heat levels to a point that prevents those annoying shocks.
Protecting Your Belongings
Most homeowners don’t realize that the humidity level inside their homes can actually impact the items that they own. Air that is too dry can negatively affect the quality of items such as photos, papers, books, and even furnishings. Solid wood flooring can contract when a home is dry, resulting in warping and shifting as humidity levels fluctuate throughout the year. It’s beneficial to keep your humidity level at a consistent number throughout the year to keep everything protected.
Little to No Maintenance
If you have stand-alone humidifiers in different rooms of the house, then you know there is a need to periodically maintain these units. It’s recommended that you clean them and let them dry completely at least once per week. Many of them only have a large enough tank to hold water for a 24 to 48-hour period of time, meaning that you need to go around and fill your units every couple of days.
When you have a home humidification system, you don’t need to worry about any kind of maintenance or filling in a tank with water. Your unit will be hooked up to a source of water, and the process is automatic. There is a humidistat in the unit that will control the flow of water.
What Is the Ideal Humidity Level in a Home?
There is a very precise range that should be adhered to in regard to home humidification. The recommended amount of moisture in the air is between 40 and 50%. Anything below 40% is considered dry air and causes problems. If the humidity levels rise above 50%, this can result in mold growth in the home. Mold should be avoided at all costs as it’s extremely dangerous to a person’s health. It can also quickly spread and cause substantial damage to a home.
You can monitor the humidity levels inside the various rooms of your home by utilizing a portable hygrometer. It will give you an accurate reading in as little as five to 10 minutes. You can also utilize a thermostat that gives a humidity reading and allows you to control your whole-house unit from there.
Learn more about how a home humidification system for your HVAC unit can benefit your home and health. The professionals from Charleston Heating and Air can provide you with more information. We also offer a variety of heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services. From routine maintenance appointments to more involved repairs and installations, our team has you covered in the Charleston area. Your comfort is our top priority. Contact us today!
