As winter rolls in, many people focus on keeping their homes warm, but there's another factor that plays a big role in your comfort: indoor humidity. Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air, and during the colder months, it can drop significantly inside your residence. This change can affect everything from the health of your skin to your home’s furniture. Understanding how the humidity level impacts your indoor environment can help you create a more comfortable space.

At One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning®, we specialize in helping homeowners balance indoor humidity for optimal comfort and health. By exploring how it works, you’ll see how it can significantly impact your well-being.

What Is Humidity and Why Does It Matter?

To put it simply, humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. When humidity is high, the air feels moist, which can make the temperature feel warmer than it really is. On the flip side, when the air is dry, as it often is in winter, the temperature feels colder than it actually is, and your body starts to lose moisture more quickly. That’s why winter air can sometimes feel so harsh. It’s not only the cold but also the lack of moisture.

During the winter, humidity tends to drop because the air is colder, not allowing it to retain as much moisture. When you run your heater to keep your home warm, it tends to make the air even drier. This low humidity can lead to a number of issues, both for your health and for your home.

Impact of Low Humidity on Your Health

When the humidity level falls too low, it can leave your skin feeling dry and irritated. Your skin loses moisture more rapidly when the air is dry, leading to itching and even cracking. If you’ve ever had to deal with rough, dry skin in the winter, you know how uncomfortable it can be. But the problems don’t stop there. Low humidity can also cause your nasal passages and throat to dry out, leading to irritation, coughing, and even nosebleeds in more severe cases.

The lack of moisture in the air can also affect your respiratory system. Dry air can make it harder for your lungs to stay clear, and people with allergies might experience worse symptoms. Plus, dry air can carry dust and other allergens, worsening symptoms even further. So, while you’re trying to stay warm, you might feel less comfortable because of how the dry air affects your body.

How Low Humidity Affects Your Home

It’s not just your body that’s affected by low humidity. Your home can take a significant hit, too. Many elements in your house, especially those made of wood, are highly sensitive to dry air. Wooden furniture, floors, and even musical instruments can suffer damage when the humidity level decreases. As the air dries out, the moisture within the wood evaporates, causing it to shrink. This shrinkage can lead to cracks, warping, or even splitting over time, particularly in older or more delicate items. This is one of the reasons your hardwood floors might start creaking more in the winter.

The expansion and contraction of the wood with fluctuating humidity can also lead to gaps between floorboards. Similarly, wooden furniture may begin to show visible signs of wear and tear. This is not just a cosmetic issue. It can also affect the structural integrity of your wooden items. When wood is exposed to dry conditions for too long, it can weaken and lose its strength, potentially causing irreversible damage.

Dry air can also create problems for your home’s paint and wallpaper. Paint is prone to cracking and peeling when humidity is too low because the air can’t hold enough moisture to maintain the paint’s elasticity. Wallpaper can also suffer, with edges starting to lift or the paper becoming brittle and fragile. This is especially noticeable in areas with significant temperature fluctuations, like near windows or on exterior walls.

And don’t forget about your indoor plants. Many houseplants thrive in a certain range of humidity. When the air is too dry, your plants might start to show signs of stress. Leaves can wilt, edges might turn brown, and new growth could become stunted. Even though they don’t need full humidity like a tropical climate, most indoor plants still need a bit more moisture than what is typically available in a dry home. Without it, they can start to wither, and their health can decline.

Finding the Right Humidity Level

So, what is the right humidity level? The ideal indoor humidity for winter is generally between 30% and 50%. If you go higher than that, you might start to deal with issues like condensation on windows, which can lead to mold growth. On the other hand, if it’s too low, you’ll experience all the dryness and discomfort we’ve discussed. The goal is to find that sweet spot where the air feels comfortable without causing damage to your home or health.

You can use a hygrometer to check the humidity level in your home. This handy device is easy to use and fairly inexpensive. Once you know where your level stands, you can start to adjust it if necessary. In areas with very low humidity, a humidifier can be a game-changer.

How to Add Moisture to Your Home’s Air

If you’re noticing that your home feels too dry, there are several ways you can increase the humidity. The easiest solution is to use a humidifier. These devices add moisture to the air, helping to raise the humidity to a more comfortable range.

Humidifiers come in all sorts of types, like cool-mist and warm-mist models. Cool-mist humidifiers add moisture to the air without making the room feel warmer, which is perfect for when you want to keep the air fresh but not too hot. On the other hand, warm-mist humidifiers can make your space feel extra cozy during chilly months, adding warmth, comfort, and moisture.

A whole-house humidifier can be added to your HVAC system. As the name implies, it will adjust the moisture in your entire home, eliminating the need for portable devices. Discuss the installation of this valuable addition with your HVAC professional.

If you don’t want to buy a humidifier, there are some natural ways to add moisture to your home. One simple method is to place bowls of water near heating vents or radiators. As the water evaporates, it will increase the humidity in the room. You can also try drying your clothes indoors or using the stovetop to simmer a pot of water with herbs or citrus for a bit of added fragrance and moisture.

Check Your Humidity Level Today

Keeping the right humidity level in your residence is key to staying comfortable throughout the winter. By understanding how humidity affects your environment, you can make adjustments to improve air quality, protect your home, and keep your family feeling cozy. Remember that our company handles a complete range of heating, cooling, and indoor air quality issues for your comfort.

Are you ready to optimize your indoor humidity for a better winter experience? Contact One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Southeastern Wisconsin today to get the comfortable indoor environment you need.