The winter months can be damaging on your skin, health, and home. A solution as simple as a humidifier can help mitigate the harmful effects of dry air health risks. At Harker Heating and Cooling, we’re dedicated to finding solutions that allow you to live comfortably. Read more to learn about how installing a home humidifier in Madison, WI to your home can help you live more comfortably.Â
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During the cold months in Wisconsin, you’re likely spending much of your time indoors. However, the air in your home could be even harsher than the cold temperatures outside. The humidity level in your home can directly impact your well-being and comfort. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the optimal indoor relative humidity falls between 30% and 50%, and it should never exceed 60%. Humidity is vital to protect you and your home.
What is a Home Humidifier?
A whole-house humidifier is a common add-on to an HVAC system. It helps your home maintain an optimal level of moisture in the air, especially during the colder, drier months. All humidifiers supply an optimal level of moisture to the air and provide benefits for your health and home. However, different humidifier models access warm air differently and may use a different process to add moisture to your space.
Benefits for Your Health
Humidifiers have multiple uses to preserve your health. By maintaining moisture in the air, humidifiers prevent dry skin, cracking, and rashes. Additionally, humidifier users notice improvement in sleep with reduced snoring thanks to the moistening of the soft palate, throat, and nasal passage.Â
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Most importantly, humidifiers may prevent illnesses and improve upper respiratory health. Exposure to dry air increases irritation of the upper respiratory airways allowing germs to enter and cause respiratory infections. While the hairs in the nose exist to prevent illness, they can’t prevent them all, and adding a central humidifier can restore moisture and replenish your respiratory system, decreasing your risk of illness. Furthermore, keeping the air moist can allow for a productive cough helping to release phlegm and other unwanted particles.
Benefits for Your Home
Not only does a humidifier help improve your personal health, it can also improve the health of your home! Restoring moisture in the air will maintain the moisture level in wood floors, furniture, and cabinets preventing cracking, warping, and structural damage. Additionally, the restored moisture can return life and vibrancy to your beloved house plants that miss the sun and warm air just as much as you!Â
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Sick of static? Using a home humidifier can even reduce the amount of static electricity in your home by keeping the air at a neutral static charge.
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Finally, a home humidifier can help save money on electricity bills. Humid air can feel warmer than dry air, which will cause you to stay away from the thermostat dial and save money on electricity bills.
Humidifier Installation and Maintenance
 Installing a humidifier in Wisconsin can be done at any time as it is a common addition to an HVAC system. Allow the experts at Harker Heating and Cooling to determine which system is right for you.Â
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Annual maintenance on your humidifier is critical. Without maintenance, a humidifier can attract bacteria and mold, which can then be spread into the air you breathe. Specifically, the water panel in each humidifier is most susceptible to mold and can be easily maintained by replacing the cartridge attached every 30–90 days.
Here at Harker Heating and Cooling, we want to keep you safe and healthy during the cold winter months. Contact our team to learn more about how you can replenish moisture and your health this winter season.
