Why Is Low Humidity a Problem for My Home?

Usually when people talk about humidity and problems with comfort, they are referring to high humidity levels. Muggy, soggy weather means temperatures that feel hotter than they actually are, which translates into an air conditioner that runs constantly and drains money. High humidity will also create water damage in a home and lead to mold and mildew growth.

But the opposite condition, low humidity, can create as many troubles for your home and your comfort. It’s a frequent problem during the winter, when the temperature becomes cold enough to freeze a large amount of moisture from the air. If your home suffers from dry conditions, you should consider installation of a whole-house humidifier. (Portable humidifiers work well for a baby’s room, but they will not do the job for the rest of a home.) To find out more about installing humidifiers in Cary, NC, contact the indoor air quality specialists at Raleigh Heating & Air.

Troubles From Low Humidity

• Discomfort: High humidity restricts your body’s ability to release heat through sweat, making temperatures feel hotter. The reverse occurs during low humidity: heat escapes from your body quicker, making you feel colder. This can make winter temperatures inside your home quite miserable and result in a heating system that work overtime to keep people feeling comfortable—and that means higher bills. A humidifier takes the edge off the cold and will help you gain control of your heating bills.
• Damage to your home: Low humidity also draws moisture out of surfaces in your home, and this is especially detrimental for wood. Wood will start to crack in dry temperatures, and if you have precision musical instruments or valuable antiques in your home, dry air can wreck them. (If you’ve ever wondered why museums have moisture detectors on the walls—this is the reason. Few things are worse for antiques than dry air.) Low humidity will also cause peeling paint and wallpaper.
• Unhealthy conditions: When the air becomes excessively dry, it leads to dry, flaky skin and eye irritation. Most damaging, it dries up sinuses and mucus membranes, removing an important bodily defense against the common cold and flu. Illness tends to spread more rapidly through a home with low moisture levels. In addition, a large number of viruses thrive in arid environments. A whole-house humidifier will help protect the health of everyone in your household.

Call Us For Balanced Humidity in Your Home

Our experts at Raleigh Heating & Air install humidifiers in Cary, NC and throughout Wake County and the surrounding areas. If you have experienced trouble from dry air in your home, give us a call and we will find the right humidifier to suit your needs and install it.