Humidity and Your Home: What You Need To Know

Most homeowners will either complain about it being too humid in the summer and too dry in the winter. Humidity, or lack thereof, can cause major issues to your air quality, which affects your home and your health.

With that being said, do you ever wonder why people actually pay to have humidifiers in their home? They may even have dehumidifiers. So which one is right? Unfortunately, this is not a simple answer as there are many factors involved.

Below, we are going to go over the health risks associated with air that is too humid and air that is too dry. We will also give you some information on the pros and cons of both systems so you can figure out which system is right for you!

Health Issues Related to Humid and Dry Air

There are some serious health risks for having air that is too humid and air that is too dry. First, let’s start with symptoms related to air that is too humid;

• Increased allergies.
• Stuffy nose.
• Itchy eyes.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Skin rashes.
• Asthma from mold and mildew build-up.

Next, let’s look at symptoms associated with air that is too dry:

• Dry and itchy skin.
• Irritated eyes.
• Dry throat and cough.
• Trouble breathing.
• Allergies.
• Bloody nose.
• Sinus issues.
• Dry and cracked lips.

You may have noticed that some of the symptoms of both humid and dry air are the same. This points to the fact that air that is optimal will only increase the health benefits.

The benefits of a Humidifier

When the weather gets cold, you can notice a drop in the humidity level in your home. This can be uncomfortable, and increase the likelihood of developing the health concerns above.

A humidifier can help with all of these issues by simply adding steam to the air; thus adding moisture. Let’s look at some of the benefits of having a home humidifier system.

• Better Skin, Hair, and Nails- In the cold winter months, your hair skin and nails can become dry and brittle. Adding moisture in the air will help to alleviate this issue.
• Reduced Allergies- Dry air can cause your nose and throat to become dry as well. This can make any allergies, asthma, and sinus issues worse.
• Reduced Illness- recent research has shown that when there is humidity in the air above 40%, cold germs have a hard time surviving. Therefore, colds are easier to catch when the air is dry.
• Snoring- Snoring can be a real issue for some couples. The dryer the air, the worse the snoring usually is. A humidifier can reduce snoring by more than half.
• Your Home- there are other things in your home that will benefit from humidity such as house plants, wood floors, wallpaper and wall art.

With all of these concerns in play, it is a good idea to make sure you have a humidifier in place for the drier months of the year.

The Benefits of a Dehumidifier

Like the humidifier, a dehumidifier is also essential, but in the warm summer months. Dehumidifiers work to reduce the amount of moisture in the air that can cause its own set of problems.

The benefits of reducing the air can help your health, home, etc:

• Reduced Allergies- Allergies, mold, dust mites, and mildew love a warm and humid area to thrive in. A dehumidifier makes your home an inhospitable place for these issues to live.
• Reduce Odors- Dehumidifiers can also help alleviate foul odors that are hard to get rid of in the humid air.
• Quiet- Dehumidifiers run quietly, so there is very little disruption to your life.
• Increased Breathing- Humid air can make it difficult for people to breathe; especially those with respiratory illnesses.
• Dry Cloths- A dehumidifier can help dry clothes and furniture and other items they may get wet.
• Lower Energy Costs- Yes, they can help cut the cost of your energy bill as they will make your AC have less work to do.

Humidity levels can be difficult to deal with, especially when the weather is very warm. Though your AC does reduce the amount of humidity in the air, they are in no way as effective as a dehumidifier.

We Are Here To Help

With many benefits associated with both a humidifier and a dehumidifier, you may want to consider having both installed in your home. The health risks alone are enough to warrant consideration for both possible options.

At Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. we understand you need to be comfortable. We have certified technicians standing by ready to answer all of your questions. Reach out to us today at (509) 662-6262. We are happy to answer all of your questions!