Relative humidity (RH) is the percentage of moisture in the air in relation to the saturation point at the current temperature. A humidifier is a device that adds water vapor to the air in order to increase RH. There are many benefits to adding whole-home humidification to your house.
Home-wide Dehumidification and Greater Convenience
An alternative way to humidify your home is with a room humidifier. Room humidifiers are cheaper up front, but a whole-house humidifier provides better value over the life of the equipment. It also provides an even RH throughout your entire home, which isn’t practical with portable units. Home-wide systems are also much more convenient as we plug them into the home’s plumbing system. With a portable unit, you need to refill it regularly in order to keep it running.
Greater Home Comfort
The sweet spot for most people is around 40% RH, and most will be physically uncomfortable at an RH below 30%. This can be difficult to achieve in the Northeast. Winters are cold. Humidity is low, and you often exacerbate that low humidity as a byproduct of heating your home. With a whole-home dehumidifier, you’ll find that you won’t have to keep your heating as high to feel comfortable.
Reduced Energy Consumption and Heating Costs
The average household that installs a whole-home humidifier will reduce their heating by several degrees. That means you’ll be using less fuel or electricity, which is better for the environment. It will reduce your daily heating costs. It will also reduce wear and tear on your heating system thereby extending its life and lowering your total equipment costs. Humidifiers require electricity to run but don’t use nearly as much energy as you’ll save by turning down your heat.
Enhanced Indoor Air Quality
There is a direct connection between RH and the air quality in your home. Dry air makes it more difficult to breathe. It also causes inflammation in your respiratory system. Air with low humidity can dry out the eyes, nose, mouth and throat. That irritation is particularly bad for those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions. Most people tend to think of spring and summer as allergy season. That said, allergens are abundant in fall and winter too, including ragweed and mold.
Improved Sleep
The respiratory irritation that low RH causes during the day continues into the night. Snoring is more common. Breathing is more labored, and that physical discomfort causes people to toss and turn and come out of deep sleep. By remaining in a deeper sleep longer thanks to your humidifier, you’ll feel much more refreshed in the morning. You’ll also enjoy more energy throughout the day.
Better Health Overall
The other issue with the aforementioned inflammation is that it makes you more prone to infection. This is one reason people with bad allergies can come down with sinus infections at this time of year. It also makes you much more susceptible to bacteria and viruses in the environment, including influenza.
Superior Home Maintenance
Low humidity in a home is bad for many aspects of it, including wood, furnishings, and finishes. Hardwood flooring and wood furniture will dry out faster and have a shorter lifespan. Paint on walls, wallpaper, and paints and stains on trim won’t hold up as long. It’s also bad for your artwork and pictures and the long-term health of your windows and doors.
Less Static Electricity
If a doorknob has ever zapped you or you’ve seen sparks along your carpet, you’ve dealt with static electricity. That electricity can accumulate because of a lack of moisture in the air. It’s generally not harmful to people but can be a great annoyance. It can also affect sensitive electronics, shorten their lifespans, and even cause them to fail.
Are You Ready to Install a Whole-home Humidifier in Stroudsburg?
R.J. Groner Inc. has been serving homeowners and businesses in Stroudsburg for over 90 years. We install both whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Our other indoor air quality solutions include duct cleaning, whole-home air purifiers, and in-duct UV lamps. We have an expert HVAC team that installs and services all ducted and ductless heating and cooling technologies. You can count on us for maintenance plans, smart thermostats, ductwork sealing and HVAC zoning.
We also have a team of expert plumbers. Our plumbers clean drains and specialize in leak detection and sewer plumbing. We also repair and install fixtures, water heaters, water filters, sump pumps and much more. Call today or contact us online with questions or to schedule a service appointment or on-site consultation.
