Humidity and a Southern Winter

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Humidity levels in Alabama peak during the autumn and spring. This leaves our summers and winters much dryer. It makes it quite difficult to find a comfortable balance. Our state’s climate is considered sub-tropical. This is in part because of our abundance of humidity most of the year. Having a few months off from the wet weather sounds great in theory. The problem is that our bodies have acclimated to this weather over time. This leaves those few months of dryness actually causing more harm to your health than you think.

See Also: How Does Humidity Affect Your Indoor Comfort?

Humidity Changes the Comfort Level

Excessive humidity can cause its own discomfort. In the Summer we are able to find comfort from the heat on our dry days with a visit to the gulf, lakes, rivers, pool, or your backyard sprinkler. The winter does not leave us that option. Add in the fact that we are spending more time indoor, with the heat on or fire place roaring and the air becomes much dryer than we are used to. Buildings with cigarette smoke, high cleaning product use or mold and mildew can greatly change the air quality as well. This is when a humidifier is most beneficial.

See Also: What is the Ideal Indoor Humidity

Dry Air and Your Health

Having air that is too dry can actually cause health problems to increase. Colds, Flus, Asthma, Nose bleeds, Sinusitis, Allergies, dry skin, obstructive pulmonary disease and xerostomia are some of the health problems that are affected by dry air. If you are prone to dry skin in the winter and summer a good lotion can fix that.  The skin inside your nose, mouth and even your eyes can be fixed so easily.  Do you have a cough or congestion you have spent months trying to get over and haven’t? Perhaps your eyes continue to water and you don’t know why.  This could be a result of dry air. You will want to consider upgrading you HVAC.  A whole house steam humidifier or a portable humidifier could help.

See Also: Air Cleaners, Filtration, Humidity Control

What Type of Humidifier is Best for Your Lifestyle?

A whole house steam humidifier controls the humidity in your home with less maintenance as a portable humidifier. The whole house humidifier is attached to your homes water system which prevents you from having to refill, empty or continue to clean it. A portable one will need to be cleaned often to prevent mold build up and the water will need to be adjusted.
There are three types of portable humidifiers, hot steam humidifiers (also called “vaporizers”), cool mist humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers. Not sure which one is best for you? Consult with your doctor or pharmacist.  They would be able to make a suggestion for your family’s needs. Your local HVAC company can tell you the latest technology and upgrades for all different price levels and needs as well.

See Also: Daikin Humidity Control

Humidity levels in the air and humidifiers

Humidification does in fact improves air quality. There is a device called a hygrometer which is used to measure the humidity level in your home. Ideal levels for humidity is around 50% in the summer and 30% in the winter. Up grading your HVAC with humidity control is a great idea no matter what time of year it is.

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