When winter rolls around, we all look forward to cozy evenings with the furnace running, keeping our homes warm and comfortable. But have you ever noticed the irritating static shocks, dry skin, chapped lips, or even sore throats that seem to come with the season? These annoying symptoms are a sign that your home’s air is too dry, a common problem in Shawnee Mission and many other areas, especially with modern homes that are sealed up tightly for energy efficiency.
Fortunately, there’s a solution: whole-home humidifiers. If you’re tired of dealing with dry air and the discomfort that comes with it, a whole-home humidifier could be the answer. Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing specializes in installing these systems, ensuring your home stays comfortable all winter long.
Why Does Winter Air Get So Dry?
When the cold weather sets in, most of us rely heavily on our furnaces to maintain a warm indoor temperature. However, while your furnace is working around the clock to heat your home, it’s also removing moisture from the air, leading to a significant drop in indoor humidity levels.
In the past, homes weren’t as tightly sealed, allowing for natural air exchange that would help balance humidity levels. But modern construction techniques prioritize energy efficiency, which means homes today are built with better insulation and sealed windows and doors. While this helps keep your home warmer, it also prevents moisture from entering and makes the air inside dry.
Symptoms of a Dry Home
If you’ve ever experienced the discomfort of static electricity, you’ve felt the effects of low humidity firsthand. Other common symptoms of dry air include:
- Dry skin: Skin that feels tight, flaky, or irritated.
- Chapped lips: Constantly needing lip balm just to get through the day.
- Dry mouth at night: Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth.
- Sore throats and coughs: Dry air can irritate the throat and make it harder to stay hydrated, especially while you sleep.
These symptoms are more than just annoyances. They can negatively affect your comfort and health during the winter months. Luckily, whole-home humidifiers can help address these issues and create a more pleasant indoor environment.
How Do Whole-Home Humidifiers Work?
A whole-home humidifier works by adding moisture to the air through your existing HVAC system. Unlike portable humidifiers that are confined to a single room, a whole-home system is designed to work with your furnace, distributing humidity throughout your entire home.
When the humidifier is installed, it draws water from your home’s plumbing system and uses evaporation or steam to release moisture into the air. The process is controlled by a humidistat, which keeps the humidity levels within a comfortable range, typically between 30% and 50%. This ensures that the air in your home remains comfortable and free from the dryness that leads to static shock, dry skin, and other issues.
By pairing a whole-home humidifier with your furnace, you can ensure that your home stays comfortable 24/7 – not just in terms of temperature, but in terms of air quality and moisture levels as well.
Creating a Comfortable Home in Winter
At Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we believe that winter comfort is about more than just keeping the temperature up. A well-balanced indoor environment includes proper humidity, which not only helps prevent dry skin and static electricity but supports better overall health as well.
6 Benefits of a Whole-Home Humidifier
- No static shock: No more painful shocks when you touch a doorknob, refrigerator, or another person.
- Promote better health: By preventing dry air, you reduce the chances of irritated nasal passages, sore throats, and dry eyes. The right humidity level can also make breathing easier, especially for those with allergies or asthma.
- Improve sleep quality: Dry air can contribute to snoring and other sleep disturbances. Humidified air helps keep the respiratory system hydrated, improving sleep for everyone in the house.
- Protect your skin: The extra moisture helps prevent dry, cracked skin that often results from harsh winter air.
- Save energy: One of the most surprising benefits of a whole-home humidifier is energy savings. Humidity makes the air in your home feel warmer, allowing you to lower the thermostat a few degrees and still maintain comfort. This can result in lower heating bills.
- Protect wooden furniture and floors: Low humidity can cause wood to crack or warp over time. Have you ever noticed the gaps in your wood floor are larger in the winter? It’s due to low humidity levels. By maintaining balanced moisture levels, you protect your home’s furnishings.
Top Notch HVAC Services
Our furnace experts are trained to assess your home’s unique needs, recommending the best humidification system for your situation. When you choose Top Notch, you’re choosing a team with decades of experience and a commitment to quality. Our licensed and certified technicians are known for their professionalism and respect for your home. We don’t just fix the problem; we take the time to ensure everything is done right, so you can enjoy a comfortable home all season long. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction, which means we won’t stop until you’re completely happy with our work.
Don’t Let Dry Air Ruin Your Winter Comfort
If you’re tired of dealing with dry air, static shocks, and discomfort this winter, it’s time to install a whole-home humidifier. The furnace experts at Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing are ready to help you improve your Shawnee Mission home’s air quality and keep your family comfortable all season long.
