When people think of humidity and feeling uncomfortable, they usually think about high humidity. High humidity levels above 60% will make warm temperatures feel far less comfortable because the moisture in the air restricts the body’s ability to release heat through sweating. High humidity will also create problems from mold growth and water damage.
But low humidity is as serious problem a problem as high humidity: it also causes discomfort, damage, and health issues. During a winter in Northern Colorado, the air can get very dry indeed, and there are times when a home will benefit from a whole-house humidifier to balance the humidity. Although you can purchase small portable room humidifiers, these are poor solutions for solving general comfort and building damage dilemmas.
How you and your home can benefit from a whole-house humidifier
- Comfort: High humidity makes hot temperatures feel hotter; the reverse occurs with low humidity. With low moisture in the air, the heat leaves your body much faster, and cold temperatures feel sharper and less pleasant. A dry winter cold can be quite miserable, but a humidifier will give you a pleasant indoor moisture level that will make everyone in the house feel cozier. (And you’ll save money because you won’t need to run your heater as often.)
- Health: Dry air causes cracked skin and itchy, irritated eyes. But it can do even worse than this. Low humidity will dry up sinuses and mucus membranes, which are an important defense against the transmission of airborne illnesses like flus and the common cold. A number of dangerous viruses also thrive in dry environments. You’ll experience a reduction in common winter-time ailments thanks to a whole-house humidifier. (And you’ll have fewer pains from static electrical shocks too!)
- Building damage: Dry air sucks the moisture from surfaces as well—and that’s bad news when it comes to wood, which will begin to crack. Low humidity will cause surfaces to peel, and you don’t want valuable possessions like musical instruments and antiques to suffer damage. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help keep all parts of your home safe from the ravages of dry air.
You must have professionals do the work for installing whole-house humidifiers in Fort Collins, CO. A humidifier that’s too powerful or installed improperly will end up giving you high humidity—a whole other problem you don’t want! Look to the many decades of experience at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning when you want the right balance of humidity for your home.
Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn more about humidifiers in Fort Collins, CO and how they can help your indoor comfort levels.