The EPA recommends that you keep the humidity in your home between 30 and 50%. In the winter months, if you don’t do anything to raise your home’s humidity, this level typically drops below 30%.
At this point in our Buffalo, NY winter season, most people have dry and cracked skin due to the dry air, both outside and inside of our homes. This not only impacts your skin, dry air affects your overall health as well. If you are looking for ways to bring moisture back inside your home, there are ways to raise your home’s humidity.
How Can Dry Air Affect Your Health?
We have reviewed how dry air affects your health before, but in case you need a refresher for why you may want to raise your home’s humidity, we have got you covered.
The average American is indoors 90% of the time, especially during the colder months of the year, making keeping indoor air at optimal moisture levels very important for a number of health reasons. Some health problems associated with dry air include: respiratory issues, sore throat, dry and irritated skin, higher stress levels, and increased risk of illness.
How Can You Raise Your Home’s Humidity?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you keep the humidity in your home between 30 and 50%. In the winter months, if you don’t do anything to raise your home’s humidity, this level typically drops below 30%.
Below are some ways to raise your home’s humidity to keep your family healthy and comfortable, even when it’s cold outside.
– Add Houseplants: Houseplants are a wonderful way not only to increase humidity levels, but to purify your indoor air as well. Plants are effective natural humidifiers since they absorb moisture through the roots and circulate it through the stems to the leaves. As a result, moisture is released into the air through the leaves. The soil for the houseplants also holds water that slowly evaporates. Be sure to add plants that are known to do well in dry conditions.
– Boil Water: You don’t just have to boil water for the heck of it, if cooking, keep the lids off your pots and pans. Cooking creates a considerable amount of moisture, especially boiling water which creates steam. By not covering your pots and pans, you allow the steam to escape and enter the air of your home. To make this method of adding moisture into the air effective, keep your kitchen vents and fans on a low setting to encourage good air circulation without removing the moisture.
– Place Containers and Bowls of Water Around: One of the easiest ways to add moisture to your home’s air is to place bowls or other containers of water on various surfaces around the house. Try to locate the water away from foot traffic and near some source of heat to help the water evaporate faster. Think about placing them on window sills, on top of radiators, or near heating vents.
– Hang Dry your Laundry Indoors: You can save money and raise your home’s humidity level by hang drying your laundry indoors. As the laundry dries, the moisture will evaporate into the air.
– Embrace Shower Steam: When you shower, there is usually hot steam that is produced. Although it may be warmer and cozier to keep the bathroom door shut, open it to allow the steam and moisture to escape to other areas of the home. During the winter, don’t use your bathroom fan, as this is designed to suck the excess moisture from the air. If you want privacy as you shower, open the door as soon you are done.
– Add a Humidifier: One of the most effective ways to raise the humidity in your home is with the help of a humidifier. Humidifiers add moisture to the air to prevent dryness that can cause irritation in many parts of the body. Humidifiers are your best option to raise your home’s humidity level and for humidity control. Humidifiers are efficient and can ensure an exact humidity level to keep you comfortable and healthy while protecting wooden furniture and other household items.
There are ways to raise your home’s humidity so you don’t suffer from dry and cracking skin, and other health issues.
Need a Humidifier Installed? Call Reimer Home Services!
At Reimer Home Services we are here to help you ensure that your Western New York home is at the ideal humidity level. Our team of local HVAC and plumbing experts are all a “Wizard of Comfort” and are here to get the job done for you.
Throughout the Buffalo area, we’re known for our friendly, courteous service. We won’t let you down. Contact us today.
