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During the long winter in Charlotte, your furnace will be cranking to warm your home. You’ll enjoy cozy nights, nice fires, and a warm house. Nevertheless, using the furnace to heat the house consistently will result in low humidity, and your indoor air will be extremely dry.
When the humidity in your home falls below a manageable level, the outcome could become unpleasant in various ways. There are often unforeseen problems in this situation. The common issue is drying of the skin, which can be painful and irritating. You may experience sore spots and cracks on your body, especially on the hands, head, and face. You may also experience drying of the inside of your nose and eyes, resulting in increased vulnerability to viral diseases.
Other than your body, low humidity can affect the contents of your home, such as wood flooring and furniture. With these items, lack of humidity can dry out the material, leaving the wood cracking and separating. While a high level of humidity causes the development of mold and mildew, it is important to find a balance to avoid running into any of these issues during the winter. Here are several ways you can achieve this balance by increasing the humidity level in your home during the cold months.
Use a Humidifier
Using a humidifier to get that extra humidity in your home is one of the most effective methods of combating dry air. Various types of humidifiers are available on the market, which means you can select the one that suits your needs the best. For the individual rooms in your home, you can go with portable humidifiers. These are convenient in small spaces, such as bedrooms, so that you can increase humidity where there is an issue with dry air.
The downside of getting a small humidifier is that it uses a lot of energy to get a limited area of your home to the desired level of humidity. Consider getting a whole-home humidifier that is tied to your furnace. In this case, as long as your furnace is running, you will constantly enjoy humidity circulating with the warm air.
Based on your needs, the humidity level you require for your home, and the size of your house, our specialists at Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical can help you make the right decision when purchasing a humidifier.
Seal drafts and leaks allow cold air to infiltrate your home and can frustrate your efforts to attain an optimal humidity level. These leaks and drafts act as pathways through which dry air finds its way into your house and disrupts the balance of humidity in your indoor air.
We recommend that you seal door and window frames with weather-stripping. You can also apply caulk around penetration points such as vents, wiring, and pipes through exterior walls.
The ceiling, attic, and basement could also have hidden cracks. Check them out and seal them to stop air leakage and prevent further humidity loss. When you prevent cold drafts, you will reduce pressure on your HVAC system, which dries air even more. You’ll also be able to save on heating costs.
Water-Based Oil Diffusers
The diffuser has an element that works by converting water into vapor. All you have to do is mix a base of water with a few drops of essential oils. The essence is to diffuse water into vapor directly into the room. Your home will not only have an adequate level of humidity but also an amazing fresh scent.
Consider positioning stylish diffusers in frequented areas such as workspaces, bedrooms, and sitting areas. In these places, one might also function aesthetically as an attractive tabletop unit. Make sure you clean your diffuser regularly to prevent the formation of slime and the buildup of bacteria, as this is a common tendency with diffusers and fountains.
Showering
Taking a shower may sound like the most basic of solutions, but it works. Showering results in increased levels of moisture buildup from the heated water as steam condenses on your bathroom walls. Don’t underestimate it. The warm water vapor exits the bathroom into the neighboring indoor air.
Next time you hop into the shower, take a long bath, and don’t close the bathroom door. This will maximize the humidity benefits. You can also leave the hot bath water to cool on its own after the shower. This will give your room a boost of moisture, which can then circulate into the neighboring rooms.
House Plants
House plants add an aesthetic appeal to our spaces. Moreover, they are also an excellent way to add much-desired moisture to your home during the winter. Plants contribute to natural humidity through their leaves and the process of transpiration.
When plants transpire, they release excess moisture absorbed through their roots and given off through the tiny pores on the leaves. You can achieve great benefits by combining various types of home plants to enjoy a multiplied humidifying effect.
You can also use double-potting, pebble trays, and terrarium enclosures to further increase moisture levels around your home plants. Monitor window condensation carefully to avoid the development of mold and excess dripping.
Boil Water and Cook More
If you have ever boiled water for tea or boiled a pot of corn, you will notice the amount of time you spend trying to dry up the condensation from the walls and kitchen surfaces. Boiling and heating water converts the water into humid vapor. You can also generate helpful humidity when cooking normally, such as by making oatmeal, blanching vegetables, and simmering big pots of soup or stews.
When you are done cooking or boiling water, allow some moisture to permeate the air instead of venting all of it aggressively outside. You can also benefit from steamers and crockpots for that extra humidity. It is advisable, however, to pay keen attention to the buildup of condensation around the windows and wipe away any excess to discourage the growth of mold.
Use a Water Fountain or Aquarium Small aquariums and tabletop fountains are decorative features that make our spaces look attractive, but they are also important humidity boosters. These water features give off humidity through the evaporation of their surfaces. They function just like ponds and lakes. This means that if you have an exposed surface, the moisture will get passively diffused into nearby air.
Ensure you position your water fountain or aquarium near heat ducts to aid the evaporation process during the winter. You may also need to refill water features frequently to replace the evaporated water and ensure that your indoor air feels less parched.
What Are Your Options Today?
Maintaining a good balance of moisture in your Charlotte home during the winter is crucial for your health, your comfort, and the preservation of your valuables. You do not want to spend the winter worrying about your susceptibility to infections, dry skin, respiratory problems, and even damage to your household items.
Our team at Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical will walk with you through the various choices available to ensure you an optimal humidity level this winter, and our HVAC experts will give you information on how you can improve the quality of your indoor air year-round. We also offer heating, cooling, and electrical services for your Charlotte home.
Contact us at Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical today for more information.
