Did you know that dry air in your home can be just as bad as air that’s too humid? You’re probably much more familiar with the problems presented by too much moisture in the air–it makes you feel uncomfortable in the summertime, plus it can encourage the growth of mold and mildew in your property. Nobody wants that!

But dry air isn’t great either. The ideal relative humidity level in any given home is less than 50% but more than 30%. Anything under that 30% is considered “too dry.” But, why? And what can be done about it? Read on as we answer these questions in detail!

Since we don’t normally get bitterly cold temperatures where we live, you probably don’t associate dry air with discomfort. However, when the air is too dry, it can actually make you feel cooler than the actual temperature of the room you’re in.

Moisture works as an insulator… which is why you feel so much warmer when it’s too humid out in the summer. So when there is too little moisture in the air–less than 30% humidity–you lose that insulation. The moisture level in the air is no longer able to regulate how easily the human body can release heat. Humidity slows down heat release, though.

So a mildly cool day–let’s say 65°F (alright, tell your friends in the midwest and northeast to stop making fun of us)–can feel as much as 10° cooler when the air is dry enough! And when you feel cooler, you adjust the thermostat on your furnace or heating system to let it run longer or turn on earlier in the day.

This means that you’re using your heater more than you should have to. Since a home’s HVAC systems take up about half of all the energy use in the household, this can get pretty expensive over time! So not only is your comfort suffering but so too will your budget.

The other problem with dry air is that it does things like cause dry and itchy skin and eyes. it also dries out the mucus membranes in your nose, which is your natural defense from cold and virus germs. This means your immunity is lowered and it’s easier to get sick from others in the household.

Lastly, dry air pulls moisture from your property, leading to things like cracked wood and peeled paint, plus causing static shock between surfaces.

This wouldn’t be a very good blog post if we shared a problem with no solution, right? Well, you’re in luck! The best way to resolve dry air is with the professional installation of a humidifier.

We aren’t talking about one of those portable humidifiers–these are great for a single room for someone who suffers from allergies or is ill at the moment! Rather, we’re talking about a whole-house humidifier that can be installed directly into your HVAC system to evenly distribute the appropriate level of humidity you need to stay comfortable and use efficient heating.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to learn more!

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling is your trusted resource to start improving your indoor air quality in Whittier, CA. Contact us today!