Low indoor humidity levels can cause dry skin, nose, and eyes, making your family feel quite uncomfortable. Low humidity also causes furniture and other wooden items in your house to crack. Below, we will offer suggestions to increase the indoor humidity levels in your Easton, MD, home.
1. Consider Adding Some Houseplants
Houseplants make your home more visually appealing. In addition, they increase indoor humidity levels and purify the air, thus contributing to healthy indoor air quality. For your plants to improve indoor humidity levels, you need to water them regularly.
Well-watered plants release moisture into the air through the leaves. The moisture in the soil also evaporates into the air.
The best plants for this purpose are those with large leaves. The larger the leaf, the larger the surface area that releases moisture into the air. Philodendrons, Aglaonemas, Monsteras, Dracaenas, fiddle-leaf figs, and elephant ear plants are a couple of prime examples.
2. Invest in a Humidifier
A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to your indoor air. Different humidifiers use different mechanisms to increase humidity in your house. Portable humidifiers are still common but are nowhere near as effective as whole-home humidifiers.
A qualified service technician can install a whole-home humidifier within your existing HVAC system. One of the main benefits of this indoor air quality solution is that it can help reduce the severity of allergies and upper respiratory illnesses. A humidifier also comes in handy throughout winter, when the air tends to be extra dry.
3. Seal Air Ducts to Prevent Leaks
While your humidifier may be working hard to add humidity to your indoor space, the humidity could be escaping through openings that you are unaware of in your ductwork. These openings allow air to escape together with the moisture in it. They also allow dry air from the outside to enter your house.
By allowing the conditioned air to escape, your HVAC system will need to work harder than usual to compensate for the lost air. Overworking translates to an increase in your energy bill, the frequency of system breakdowns, and the possibility of a premature replacement.
Most people assume that air only escapes through gaps within their windows or doors. In addition to these areas, humid indoor air can escape through gaps in your ceilings, walls, and crawlspace.
Consider having your ductwork inspected for cracks or leaks. You should also consider the possibility of investing in Aeroseal duct sealing. This specialized technique is exactly what it sounds like, sealing every portion of your ductwork so all the clean air stays in your home. It also enhances airflow and benefits the lifetime use of your heating and cooling system.
4. Don’t Set the Thermostat Too Low
Your air conditioner naturally removes moisture from the air, which drains through a special condensate line and then outside, right around your condenser unit. This helps your home feel more comfortable when it’s hot and sticky outside. In addition to running up your electric bill, setting your thermostat too low can create dry, over-conditioned air in your home.
5. Hang Your Laundry
If you have the space, you can hang some pieces of laundry rather than using the dryer. All you would need is a portable drying rack, and position it in the room that needs some extra humidity power. Bear in mind this doesn’t mean removing your dryer completely. It’s merely a suggestion to decrease the likelihood of an overly dry household.
If your home just isn’t comfortable enough for you and your family’s liking, contact the experts at Griffith Energy Services. Delivering doggone dependable services doesn’t just apply to our superior heating and cooling services. We also offer five-star indoor air quality solutions, including whole-house humidifiers, to enhance your indoor comfort.
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