Living in Utah, we are all too familiar with the experience of dry air. The lack of moisture in the air can cause a variety of the problems in the home, particularly during the summer when you need to run your air conditioner to keep the heat away—because your air conditioner actually helps dehumidify your home, decreasing the already low levels of moisture.
If you aren’t already taking advantage of a whole-home humidifying system, then the best time for a Layton, UT humidifier installation is right now, while our current humidity levels are relatively balanced. You’ve likely seen portable humidifiers in drug stores, used to help alleviate cold symptoms or even allergy symptoms, especially for young children. But whole-house systems tackle the root of the problem.
Why Is Low Humidity Such a Big Deal?
The humidity in your indoor air is measured in terms of relative humidity: the percentage detailing the amount of ambient moisture existing in the air. The lower this percentage, the drier the air. Human beings are most comfortable when the relative humidity level exists between 30%–50%.
Anything below 30% relative humidity means that any moisture will be leeched from your surroundings. This includes your skin, which can and will become red and itchy. It also creates static electricity and dries out sinuses to make you and your family more prone to germs and other illness. This is particularly detrimental for those who suffer from allergies and asthma.
As we referenced above, running our air conditioning system only adds to the problem. Cooling your home’s air causes the moisture in it to coalesce into liquid droplets—like the formation of dew in the early morning hours—and this condensation leaves your home through a drain line. This leaves the air particularly dry during this time of year (although dry air in the winter isn’t any better!).
Your Whole-Home Humidifying Solution
A humidifier itself is a fairly simple system. It is comprised of a wick or pad, which is fed water by a reservoir. A fan blows over across the top of that pad, sending moisture into the air through the ductwork in your heating and cooling systems.
Most of the time, the level of moisture can be adjusted to suit your specific needs, enabling you to retain comfort levels in your home no matter what the weather is outside. A whole-home humidifier offers a number of other advantages, too. These include:
- Battling Static Electricity: Sure, it can be fun—and funny—to slide in your socks across the carpet on a dry day and “shock” your little brother. But by the time you’re an adult, static cling, the painful feeling of being shocked, and frizzy hair can get old!
- Lowering the Risk of Illness: This is a considerably more important note—dry air makes you less resistant to colds and other contagious illnesses. Whole-home humidifiers help keep families happy and healthy.
- Healthier Skin: With a whole-home humidifier, your skin won’t feel as dry and chapped as it would otherwise. Humidifiers help cut down on irritating skin conditions such as eczema, and can help keep your skin feeling healthy overall.
Contact your indoor air quality experts at Rentmeister Total Home Service today!