Outside air infiltrates your home to replace the thousands of cubic feet of air consumed by your furnace, water heater and fireplace. When this air is heated, it dries out your home. You need to replace this moisture with a humidifier. As an example, if outside air at 20° with 60% relative humidity infiltrates your home and is heated to 72° the relative humidity drops to only 8%. You need 25-45% for comfort and well being, but outside air infiltrates your home and robs you of the necessary humidity. Proper humidity makes you feel more comfortable, protects your home and furnishings from drying and cracking, and reduces annoying static electricity that shocks you when you touch anything metal. Because you are comfortable with a lower thermostat setting, you can save from 10% to 20% on your fuel bill, too.
How do they work
Humid-Aire humidifiers are the answer to all the dry air problems in your home. When the relative humidity drops below the set point, the humidifier will automatically begin to supply water to the water pad or media. As the dry air passes through the water media or pad, air is humidified and carried throughout your home as water vapor. As a result, lower heating costs are achieved. In addition, this stops wood shrinkage, static electricity and other problems which normally occur without humidity. All Humid-Aire humidifiers produce humidity in a safe and pure water vapor form. No mist or droplets are present which can carry impurities. All minerals and impurities left from the evaporation process are flushed down the drain with ease.
What is relative humidity?
Relative humidity is the percentage of moisture in the air compared to its maximum capability to hold moisture under the same conditions.
The average recommended indoor relative humidity should be around 35% and up to 45% in warmer climates. The Sahara Desert has an average of 25% relative humidity. However, the average heated home has between 13 and 16%.
In winter turning up the thermostat to increase the warm air flow does not work. It is this dry warm air acting like a sponge that soaks up all the moisture from everything it touches. This lack of moisture will not only leave people feeling cold, but can cause the following additional problems if the humidity level has not been achieved:
What effects does dry air cause?
1) Upper respiratory conditions in which you can have itchy skin, dry throat coughs and cracked nasal membranes, and other physical annoyances.
2) Wooden doors, windows frames and furniture joints can shrink, warp or even come apart. Hard wood floor seams can separate. Dry air can even damage wooden musical instruments.
3) Static electricity caused by dry air is a problem. As you move around on carpeting, there is a voltage build-up in your body which can shock another person, and even interfere with your electronic devices.
4) Wall paper may start peeling at the edges.
