Adam’s Air Blog: The Shocking Truth About Whole House Humidifiers
There are several drawbacks to dry winter air, but some of them are more noticeable than others.
If you don't have a humidifier in your home, you could be suffering from dry air that leads to unpleasant static electricity shocks. The static electricity buildup is caused by the overly dry air in your home.
How's the humidity in your home?
Static electricity refers to the build-up of electric charge on the surface of objects—essentially when electrons move from one surface to another through contact. Static electricity can take many forms: frizzy hair, clingy clothing, and those telltale sparks when you touch a doorknob or other object. Occasionally, static can also build up to levels that can be damaging to sensitive electronics, so it's important not to let it get too out of hand.
How Humidification Helps
A person walking across a carpet can generate more than 30,000 electrostatic volts at a relative humidity in the 10– 20% range. Maintaining an optimum humidity level of around 30% to 50% can significantly reduce static electricity.
Static electricity tends to be much more of an issue in winter as the air tends to be driest then, which is the perfect environment for static charges to build. Moisture in the air prevents static electricity from building up and that's where humidifiers come in. The best way to reduce the amount of static shock in your home is with a humidifier that will raise the moisture level.
Other Benefits
Humidifiers offer additional benefits as well, such as reducing your susceptibility to colds. Bacteria and viruses thrive in both highly humid and quite dry conditions. This means by keeping your home at the suggested humidity levels, you give yourself the power to get over your cold faster.
Humidifiers also prevent itchy skin, dry nasal passages, and excessive dust in your home. Humidification also protects wooden floors, furniture, and fixtures in your home from drying, separating, and cracking. Another bonus is that when your indoor air is moist, it feels warmer, allowing you to turn down the heat a few degrees. That's instant savings on your energy bill!
Humidification Options
When considering adding moisture to your, you basically have two options. The first is one or more portable humidifiers, which can each effectively eliminate dry air in a single room. The second is an a whole-house humidifier, which works with your HVAC system to humidify the air throughout your home. Although portable models are less expensive, whole-house humidifiers are more efficient, do not require constantly having to be refilled with water, require little maintenance, and are usually installed out of sight and away from your living space.
If you need advice on which type of home humidifier would work best for your home or office, Adam’s Air techs have the knowledge and expertise to help answer any of your questions and suggest a humidification system that will work best with your heating system and your budget.
At Adam's Air Systems, we're a licensed HVAC contractor and we have been ensuring homeowner's comfort since 2006. When your system is running smoothly, you can be confident that your family is breathing safe, clean, and comfortable air. Call today for your free quote!
