Dry heat can be a lot more comfortable than humid heat, but that doesn’t mean that humidity isn’t a problem in arid climates – it is. It’s just a different problem in that we sometimes don’t have enough humidity. While it seems that humidity is a problem mostly when it’s excessive, the truth is that too little humidity can cause some serious problems as well.
A great way to help balance your indoor air in arid climates like ours is to add a whole-home humidifier to your HVAC system. A whole-home humidifier integrates with your current HVAC system, so it’s important to hire an expert for installation. The indoor air quality specialists can help you with all of your IAQ needs, so call us today and schedule an appointment.
Why Install a Humidifier?
According to the EPA, comfortable humidity percentages range from 30%-60%; a humidity level lower than 30% creates a very dry environment. Problems that can develop from too little humidity are:
- Dry eyes, nose and throat
- Excessively dry skin
- Drying of mucous membranes
- Problems with health, including being more prone to sickness
- Increased agitation for those with chronic respiratory illnesses like asthma
- Drying of wood, including flooring, furniture and molding
- Splitting and splintering of wood and wood products
Lastly, dry conditions allow biological contaminants like viruses and bacteria to thrive, which can put your health at more risk.
Increase Your Comfort and Your Energy Efficiency
Humidity holds heat; this is important because when your home is heating or cooling without enough moisture, the air won’t feel like the temperature you’ve set on the thermostat. Why not? Because the air won’t hold the heat due to the lack of humidity. As such, you may wind up pushing your thermostat even higher during winter and lower during the summer, using extra energy while you do so. When your humidity is balanced, you can actually save energy because the air will feel more comfortable.
Think your home in Pasadena can benefit from a whole-home humidifier? Then call us today!