As winter intensifies, the air doesn’t just get colder: it also gets drier. This is because cold air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air. You’ve probably already noticed the signs of extra-dry air in your home: cracking wood floors and furniture, dry skin, sore throats, and aching sinuses. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to get some much-needed relief from the wintertime air in your home.
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH DRY INDOOR AIR THIS WINTER
Tackling dry indoor air this season? Here are some tricks to help!
1. Use humidity from your bathroom to help the rest of your home.
Leave the bathroom door partially open when showering or bathing. The steam that comes from the water will help humidify your indoor air. Just remember to run the bathroom’s exhaust fan when you’re done to prevent that bathroom from becoming so humid that it leads to mold problems.
2. Hang your clothes to dry indoors.
Line-drying your clothes inside your home can increase the moisture in the air. Plus, skipping time in the dryer will make clothes last longer, prevent shrinking, and save money on your energy bills.
3. Dial back your thermostat.
It’s possible that you’re running your furnace a little too much at night if you keep waking up with a sore throat. Before going to bed, set your thermostat to 67 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. This can help your furnace from running too often—plus, it will easily reduce your heating costs, according to the Department of Energy. If you get cold, wear extra layers and use blankets.
4. Drink something hot.
Whether it’s hot tea, coffee, or bone broth, sipping on something hot will ease an aching throat quickly. Grab your favorite mug and start heating up your favorite soup or beverage!
5. Use a humidifier.
You have some options when it comes to humidifiers:
- Portable. These humidifiers come in various sizes and can be carried from room to room. They need to be refilled and cleaned frequently to ensure they’re performing correctly and improving your indoor air (rather than making it worse).
- Whole-home. These humidifiers are an add-on to your HVAC system. They provide even moisture to every room of your home and require a professional installation from an HVAC contractor. A whole-home humidifier typically needs to be serviced once a year, which can be done when the rest of your HVAC system gets a tune-up.
Humidifier Installation in Atlanta
At Premier Indoor Comfort Systems, LLC, we’re proud to offer our customers a wide range of indoor air quality solutions, including high-quality whole-home humidifiers. Contact us today to learn more: (770) 268-2422!