One of the most underrated household items of this generation has to be the modern humidifier… Everyone knows what it is, but not many people know what it does (other than what the name implies).
Because of that, many people don’t realize the benefits or even when to use a humidifier in their homes.
It can be the difference between a terrible winter and an enjoyable one that allows you to enjoy the snowfall without the illness that it comes with.
There are several signs to tell whether or not your house needs one. See below for the tell-tale symptoms in which a humidifier can be your answer.
1. Static
Everyone knows static and the annoying aspects that it comes with, such as the static shock. Simply walking across your floor during the winter could lead to a shock when touching your doorknob.
Or how about putting a shirt on and having it stick to your back as if the shirt is made of saran wrap.
While you may have known that static is associated with the winter, you may have never known why. Sure, it’s always around, but it increases drastically when the humidity in a confined space (such as your home) gets too low.
Typically moisture would combat the static, which is why you need a humidifier with clean filters to compensate.
Pumping clean humidity throughout your house will help keep the static at bay this winter.
2. Catching the Cold/Flu
You may be surprised to find out that your catching the flu could be connected with the dry air in your house.
If you’ve noticed lately that you and your other family members have already caught a cold and/or flu when the temperature started to change, dry air could be the main reason.
Having a humidifier in your house will be a cheap way of freshening the dry air that you’re experiencing and reduce the rate at which viruses are transmitted.
Humidity plays a vital role in your overall health, so make sure to make it a priority with the humidity levels in your house.
3. Dry Skin
Your skin may have become an exact representation of the humidity, or lack thereof, in your house.
If you’re starting to realize how dry and scaly your skin has turned so far this winter, it’s time to consider the root of the problem. The answer is almost always the humidity levels in your house.
Other things, such as your eyes, nose, and the back of your throat can become dry as well. As they become dry they also become a landing target for illnesses or other issues.
For example, your dry skin can lead to a rash and other skin irritations, while your dry throat can lead to more serious viral conditions.
Your body craves humidity, so don’t skimp out on it when there are cost-efficient options to improve it.
4. Warping in Wood Floors
Have you ever noticed that your house seems to go through trials of its own every winter? It always looks a little beaten up after the cold months have come and gone.
Wood flooring is much more susceptible to change than most people imagine. If the humidity is too high, then the flooring will expand and crack.
However, you run the same risk of that fate if your humidity level is too low. So, the best way of combatting this is by running a humidifier during the winter and keeping the humidity levels between 30 and 50-percent.
5. Nosebleeds
Have you ever experienced a nosebleed that seemed to come out of nowhere? How about experiencing that more than once?
Your nose depends on mucous to serve as a lubricant (of sorts) and protect the blood vessels in it. If exposed to dry air too long, the mucous will dry out, your skin will become dry inside the nose, and will increase your chance of nosebleeds.
Instead of sleeping with a fan, opt for sleeping with a humidifier during the winter months. You and your nose will be glad you did!
6. Pets
If your health isn’t enough to stress the urgency of a humidifier, maybe your dog or cat’s health will. Your furry friends are just as susceptible to dry air caused skin reactions as you are.
Their skin will start to dry out and become irritated, and you’ll start to notice them sneezing a lot more as well.
Keep them protected with a humidifier that will help them as they pile on their winter coat… it’s hot under there!
7. High-Powered Furnace
Here’s a common one among both houses and offices. The need to supply heat for a large group of people means supplying those spaces with a powerful furnace.
In so doing, the furnace is pumping hot, dry air into the lungs of all your employees or family members. That can be a detriment to their health for the upcoming months. Be sure to get a humidifier to compensate for that.
There’s no reason why you can’t be comfortable in both temperature and humidity levels simultaneously!
When to Use a Humidifier: All the Time
The key factor in when to use a humidifier is to be preventative of these symptoms, not as a reaction to them.
Hook yourself up with a quality humidifier to keep you and your family happy and healthy from dry air year-round.
Be sure to check out these frequently asked questions on how our products can help provide you the cleanest air for your humidifier when you need it most.
For more inquiries, please reach out via our contact us page and we’ll be happy to assist you further.
What about living in the south? We live in central Arkansas where winters can be terribly cold and hot and muggy in summer. What do you recommend?
Hey Kim! It really just depends on your preference. If you show symptoms of dry air in your home during the cold winters, then I’d suggest that it’s a good investment. My family uses one during the winter months here in Indiana but put it away during the heat of summer. Hope this helps!
I notice, I wake up with a stuffed up nose because of an overhead fan. My skin becomes dry and itches. Using a humidifier this year!