Should You Get a Humidifier for Your Home This Winter?

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The fall and winter in Yuma are hard to beat weatherwise. The daily temperatures are on the warm-to-temperate side, while cool nights help us sleep without the need to turn on the HVAC system. Throw in our oh-so-low humidity, and what could be better for comfort?

While low humidity is generally desirable for most homeowners, sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. Low humidity can irritate the throat, eyes, and nasal passages when you’re in respiratory distress from fall allergies or a winter cold or flu. That’s when you might want to raise the humidity. The way to do just that is likely a winter humidifier.

The Ideal Relative Humidity Level

The ideal humidity in a home is generally considered to be between 40% and 50%. The relative humidity in our dry desert climate is likely much less than that; say around 20% or even lower. Air that dry can irritate your skin, nose, eyes, and throat. The moisture on your skin evaporates so quickly that you may feel chilled, necessitating turning up the heat just to be comfortable. Furthermore, you might find your wood floors and furnishings are drying out and warping. Another problem is static electricity, i.e., that unpleasant popping you experience when you touch something in the home under dry conditions. Static electricity can be bad for your electronics, even causing them to short out.

Fixing Low Humidity

There are several ways to raise humidity in your home:

  1. Take long showers while leaving the door open so moisture can permeate the home.
  2. Boil a large pot of water on the stove.
  3. Add a bunch of foliage plants to the house.

However, the best way is to install a winter humidifier. Portable humidifiers perform moderately well, but you have to keep adding water to them and moving them from room to room.

For the best results, install a whole-home winter humidifier in your HVAC system. There are several types, so consult your HVAC company and get advice about the type that would work best in your home.

For winter humidifier advice, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company.