The constant running of our furnaces in the winter do a great job of keeping our homes warm and comfortable, but on the negative side all that heat can dry out the air. Most people think of humidity as something they only need to be concerned with in the summer on a hot, muggy day; however, the humidity levels inside our homes throughout the winter play a huge role in our overall comfort.  Dry air can dry out your nose and throat, causing respiratory problems and make you more susceptible to colds or the flu. Dry air also causes dry skin and lips, and even lots of static electricity!

Tips for Increasing the Humidity Levels in Your Home

The good news is that increasing home humidity levels isn’t really that difficult- or expensive- to do. A relative humidity level of between 30-50% is what the experts recommend keeping your home at at all times. Here are just a few ways you can make sure your home is comfortable throughout these cold months when your furnace is constantly running:

• Purchase a humidifier. There are several different types of humidifiers to choose from; those that humidify your entire home by being installed into the ductwork next to your furnace, or smaller humidifiers that only affect the humidity levels in one room. These smaller humidifiers help increase the humidity levels in your home by releasing a warm, clean mist in the air. As a bonus, they’ll also help keep the room warmer. These can be especially helpful in the bedroom to ease breathing overnight.
• Line-dry your laundry. Every little bit of added moisture in the air helps, even if it’s coming from damp clothing. Hang clothing after it’s gone through the washing machine or handwashing on racks or hangers in your home. Plus, by not using your dryer as much you’ll save on your energy bills, too!
• Place bowls of water around the house. This might not be too effective if you have children who might dump the water, or pets who might drink it, but if you can, place shallow bowls of water in various places throughout your home, usually near a heating vent.
• Moisten the air with a spray bottle. Fill a spray bottle and walk around your home, misting water into the air. You can also lightly spray bedding and furniture that won’t get damaged by water. The water sprayed into the air will evaporate quickly, thus increasing your home humidity levels.
• Leave the bathroom door open after a hot shower. You know all that steam that builds up in the bathroom while you’re enjoying a hot shower? Let it out into the rest of your home when you’re done so that moist air can spread out! Likewise, consider opening your dishwasher after its run a cleaning cycle to allow out all that steam.

Do you have questions about your current HVAC system? If you’re in the Cleveland area and need some expert advice, contact us or give us a call at 216-663-6462.