What to Set a Humidifier at in Winter

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What to Set a Humidifier at in Winter

Are you ready for your next shocking experience? You know what I’m talking about, that jolt of static electricity when you touch a doorknob. It’s a real annoyance when the air gets dry during the winter months. The answer to this problem is a humidifier from Merts Heating & Air Conditioning.

Humidity levels

What we’re really talking about is improving the indoor air quality in your home. Let’s take a few moments to talk about what is the ideal humidity level. For comfort, the experts say a relative humidity between 30% and 50% is ideal during the winter months in your Illinois or Northwestern Indiana home. There is one caveat since we live in an area with cold winters. If the humidity is at the upper end of that range, you could get damaging condensation on windowsills and walls. The colder it is outside, the drier the air needs to be inside. This simple table is a good guide to start with.

With these proper humidity levels, you will start to realize many benefits.

Health

Yes, a humidifier will make your air healthier. Studies show low humidity levels help cold and flu viruses spread. The lower the humidity, the higher the virus survival rate. Using mannequins and simulated coughs to spread the flu virus, researchers came up with some startling numbers. At a humidity level of 23%, more than three-fourths of the virus particles were still capable of causing an infection an hour later. When the humidity is raised to 43%, only 14% of the particles could cause an infection.

Save money

When you raise the humidity levels during winter the air actually feels warmer. So, with a humidifier you can turn the heat down a degree or two and still be comfortable, which will make you feel good when the heating bills arrive.

Prevent damage

The extremely dry winter air can damage hardwood floors, furniture, and antiques. The wood can warp and crack during the winter months. It’s the last thing you want for that piano that has been in your family for decades.

Go whole house

In our opinion, a whole-house humidifier is much more convenient than trying to use portable units. Once installed, the whole-house unit works together with your central heating system. All you have to do is set the desired humidity level and you’re done. A whole-house system has a built-in regulator so there’s not too much moisture in the air. Many portable units don’t have regulators and the air can become too humid, increasing mold and mildew. Merts features Aprilaire humidifiers, one of the leading brands in the business.

We are ready to help

Don’t go through the winter months afraid to pet your dog or cat because you don’t want to give it one of those shocking experiences. Call Merts Heating & Air Conditioning now to learn more about whole-house humidification. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more great information about keeping your home safe and comfortable year round.