We all know static electricity gets worse in the wintertime. All over America, older brothers everywhere are scooching across carpeted rooms in stocking feet and chasing their unsuspecting siblings with a single menacing outstretched finger. While static shock may be a mere nuisance in the winter months, it may be a symptom of a larger, more serious problem in your home. Check this list from the team at Jeremy Services of other signs that signal the humidity in your home is too low:
- Static Shock
- Dry/Itchy Skin
- Nose Bleeds
- Chapped Lips
- Persistent Coughs
- Allergies
- Gaps in Wood Flooring
- Cracks in Wood Furniture or Molding
If you or other family members have been experiencing any of these symptoms, chances are the air in your home does not have enough humidity.
What Causes Low Humidity?
Humidity is simply water vapor suspended in the air. Warmer air holds more moisture than cooler air. In the winter, the cold air that seeps into your home from the outside carries very little moisture. We also shut our homes up tight and turn our furnaces up during the winter months. While this increases the temperature, it doesn’t increase the amount of moisture in the air. The little moisture that does exist in your home is quickly sucked up into the air, including the moisture that evaporates from your body, leaving your skin, nose, and throat arid. With no way to replace the moisture like opening a window to let outside air in, your home gets drier and drier. By December, most homes are exhibiting signs.
The Solution to Low Humidity
The best solution to low humidity is installing a whole-house humidifier. These mount right to your furnace and require very little maintenance. You can set the humidity level and it will automatically adjust to deliver the amount you need. You could put room-size humidifiers in individual rooms, but you’d have to have many and they require refilling and cleaning and just aren’t convenient. A whole house humidifier has its own water supply, so you simply set it and enjoy the comfort. Most homes are comfortable at 40 – 60% humidity. If you’re not sure about the humidity level in your home, you can find a hygrometer at most hardware stores. It can measure the amount of moisture in your home’s air so you’ll know where your home stands.
If your family is suffering from any of these wintertime symptoms, give us a call at Jeremy Services and we’ll be happy to install a Lennox or Aprilaire whole-house humidifier in your home. Call us at (913) 375-0070.
