The air inside our homes becomes dry in the cooler months. The cool air will try to absorb moisture leaving our homes dry and uncomfortable. The low humidity levels in the winter can become too dry causing damage to your paint, wood, and siding. A dry home can cause your skin to become dry and make it easier to catch a cold or infection. Your Lake of the Ozarks HVAC company knows how important it is to keep the level of humidity in your home at an optimal amount this winter. Royal Heating & Air has a few tips on how to control the humidity in your home this winter.
Humidity Levels In A Home
Your home's humidity levels should be around 30 - 50 percent for optimum comfort. When the humidity in your home begins to decrease, it starts to get uncomfortable and things can begin to happen in your home. The question is, "How do you know if the humidity in your home is at the right level?" Here are a few indications that your levels are off in your home.
Condensation or excess fogging on windows is a sign you have too much humidity in your home. This usually occurs in the summer months when our AC unit are on. At this point, you need to take humidity out of the air.
Static Electricity, dried and cracking millwork, as well as, cracking paint are signs of low humidity levels. Low humidity can also cause dry skin, dry nasal passages and increase your chance of catching an infection. These will be the signs you will see in the winter and an indication you need to add moisture into the air.
How To Add Humidity To Your Home
- Hang Dry Your Clothes Indoors. Dry your clothes indoors this winter. The added moisture on your clothes will evaporate adding more moisture into the air of your home.
- Add Steam. Taking long hot showers can produce steam that can help add moisture into the air. You can also add steam by boiling a pot of water on the stove. This will help add moisture into the air, but only in an isolated area of the home.
- Add A Whole House Humidifier. Installing a whole house humidifier can ensure the vapor is distributed evenly throughout your home. Portable systems only cover a certain range of space and a whole home will disperse vapor to the entire home. The whole home system creates the most consistency and can be controlled easily with its own device. Give us a call and we can discuss all of the details.
- Add A Portable Humidifier. A humidifier offers extra moisture to be released into the air. You can get a cool mist or warm mist, but both will work to add moisture. These systems are easy to use and can be affordable. Make sure the humidifier is large enough to cover the square footage of the room you are using it in. In the winter, you may need more than one in your home depending on the size. These systems will need to have the water tanks filled every day and possibly more frequently than that.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can feel more comfortable in your home, call the "King of Comfort" at 573-480-4313. Give us a call Royal Heating & Air can help you with everything from preventative maintenance to complete furnace and air conditioning installations. The best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks can provide you with affordable, dependable and trustworthy service.