In the wintertime, it's essential to use a whole-home humidifier. Many people don’t realize the air inside their homes is often much drier than outside. The humidity can drop as we spend more time indoors with the windows closed and the heat on. This low humidity can negatively affect our skin, health, and property.
What are the benefits of keeping homes at the correct humidity level?
- Improved humidity levels in a home can help protect occupants from irritated nasal passages and sore throats, or dry skin caused by a lack of moisture in the air.
- Research shows that coronavirus on surfaces stays viable for a week in heated, dry indoor air with humidity below (~20%) or above (~80%) our Healthy Humidity Zone.
- Studies suggest that maintaining a relative humidity in the 40% to 60% range in indoor spaces can reduce viable viruses to less than 1% in two days and significantly reduce your risk of infection.
- Increasing the humidity can also save money during the wintertime. The air inside your home can become very dry. Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better, so a humidifier can help you feel comfortable when your thermostat is set at a lower temperature.
- Increased humidity can prevent damage to furniture and belongings. For example, dry wood may cause gaps in flooring or furniture or cause window panes to become loose or misaligned.
Using an AprilAire whole-home humidifier in the winter can help to counteract these effects by raising the humidity level in homes.