If you’ve lived in Ohio for any length of time, you know how irritating the effects of low humidity in your home during Winter can be. Symptoms of low humidity can include cracked, dry skin and eyes; bloody noses; dry, itchy skin and eyes; cold and flu symptoms; allergy and asthma flare-ups; chapped and cracked lips; itchy throat; wallpaper detaching; withering houseplants; dry, cracking wood and furniture; and high levels of static electricity.
What causes low humidity during the Winter in Ohio?
In the Central Ohio area, your home’s gas-fired furnace can contribute to extremely low humidity, especially when the temperatures are very low and the outside air is particularly dry (a common occurrence during the coldest Winter days). The heat generated by the furnace can dry the air as it exhausts warm, moist air to the outside. Dry indoor air during the harshest days of winter adds insult to injury, making the dark days of winter even worse!
What is the Ideal Humidity Level in Winter?
An optimal humidity level, regardless of the season, is 45-55 percent. Too high, and mold growth, damage to painted surfaces, and structural decay can happen inside your home. Too low, and you can suffer the effects we mentioned earlier.
The easiest method to measure humidity levels (and the most accurate) is to use a hygrometer. It’s a device that monitors indoor temperature and humidity. They can be very inexpensive, starting at less than $10, up to hundreds of dollars for a WiFi managed thermostat and humidifier built into your home’s HVAC systems.
Hack Your Indoor Air Quality
Fortunately, low humidity is an issue that’s solved relatively easily with a little “indoor environment hacking.” Our goal is to increase the amount of moisture in the interior air every day while using other tips and tricks to warm the air. The result is healthier indoor air quality and a happier, more comfortable family.
Station Containers of Water Strategically Around the Home
One of the most effective methods to add moisture in the air is to place bowls of water around the home. To prevent accidental spills, you’ll want to place them out of traffic areas, like on window sills. You can even position them around or atop heat registers. Use glass or metal bowls, and avoid plastic for obvious reasons. Window sills in direct sunlight are somewhat ideal, considering sunlight can warm the water and allow it to evaporate fasters.
If your home uses radiant heat (radiators that transport warm water to heat a home), you can place your water-filled bowls on top. Be careful when handling the bowls after their temperatures have been raised; it’s possible to get that water pretty hot. Be sure to check the bowls daily to replenish the water.
Cook at Home to Increase Moisture in the Air
One inexpensive way to release moisture into the air quickly is to boil water. This releases warm, moist steam into the air. But don’t leave a pot or tea kettle on the range unattended. The water can boil completely away and the dry pan can melt or catch fire.
Most cooking releases heat and moisture into the indoor air. If you prepare meals at home, you can double your savings by reducing the thermostat temperature and allow the heat from the oven or range to spread throughout the house.
Leave the Bathroom Fan Off and the Bathroom Door Open During Baths and Showers
Leaving your bathroom door open allows steam from the shower to escape and fill other rooms with much-needed moisture. If you normally use an exhaust fan during showers, leave it off during the winter. If you take baths, let the water cool naturally and evaporate into your home. You can use the leftover water for your houseplants.
Don’t Iron Clothes, Steam Wrinkles Away
Use a portable steamer to remove wrinkles from clothing, while adding moisture to the air. The most basic version of these devices cost much less than a humidifier, heat up in seconds, and need no filters.
Skip the Clothes Dryer
Hanging your freshly-washed laundry in your home, instead of using a clothes dryer, can add much needed moisture to your home and save energy dollars at the same time. This process allows moisture to evaporate slowly and improve the indoor air. Clothes drying racks can be had quite inexpensively.
Houseplants Help Improve with Indoor Humidity
It’s well-known that indoor plants can add to your humidity level in your home, but did you know they also act as air purifiers? There have been studies conducted by NASA on plants that actually remove contaminants from the air. Spider plants and aloe vera are some plants that are most effective at air purification, according to those NASA studies.
Release the Dishwasher’s Steam
Automatic dishwashers use a significant amount of water and energy to clean your dishes. Turn the tables a bit and save energy by opening the dishwasher to aid in increasing your home’s moisture level.
Open the door before the last drying cycle and allow the dishes to air dry. Hot steam will be released, adding moisture and raising the room temperature.
Measure Your Indoor Humidity Level
A hygrometer is a device that usually includes and indoor thermometer and humidity monitor, giving your accurate readings for your home’s humidity level. They are inexpensive, starting at less than $10.
Can Humidifiers Help?
One popular option to increase humidity is by using a room humidifier. There are inexpensive room humidifiers that can improve your home’s humidity quickly. Individual room humidifiers sell for less than $30 and are a great way to add moisture back into the indoors. We’ve had one for years that we use primarily when someone has a cold during the winter. Be sure to replace the water frequently, and clean the humidifier on a regular basis to prevent mold and remove contaminants.
There are also whole-house humidifiers that get installed in your home’s heating system to release moist air into your home’s environment. Using a whole-house humidifier allows you to control humidity levels fairly precisely, without a lot of daily interaction.
Whole-House Humidifiers
Humidity levels should ideally be around 45-55% year-round, but slightly lower in winter months. If you notice your home’s humidity level is much higher or lower than this range, contact Dor-Mar Heating and Air Conditioning for an estimate on a whole-house humidifier installation. These types of humidifiers get installed on your furnace and release moisture into the indoor atmosphere as part of the process of warming the air.
Dor-Mar to the Rescue!
Schedule an appointment for HVAC system troubleshooting or maintenance with us today by using our online contact form, or call one of our seven neighborhood offices listed below. We pride ourselves on our customer-focused service, and our reviews show it.
NEWARK 740.345.6639 • COLUMBUS 614.238.6689 • DUBLIN 614.545.8939 • REYNOLDSBURG 614.365.1579 • WESTERVILLE 614.381.1540 • GROVE CITY 614.595.3098 • ZANESVILLE 740.454.2420
Dor-Mar…Your Climate Hero!
*Please note: neither the Centers for Disease Control(CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), nor the manufacturer of our UV-C Devices have officially announced whether UV-C kills the current strain of Corona Virus (COVID-19). We urge you to err on the side of caution until we have a definitive answer, and take other measures to prevent the acquisition or spread of this virus.
