During the winter season in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the surrounding areas, dry air becomes a common problem. Cold air holds less moisture, so as outdoor temperatures drop, indoor air often becomes dry due to heating systems running continuously. The lack of humidity can cause discomfort in your home and even impact your health.
In this blog from Novak Heating and Cooling, we’ll discuss how to tell if your home’s air is dry, the effects of low humidity, and why a whole-house humidifier installation is the best solution for restoring comfort and health to your indoor space.
Signs That the Air in Your House Is Too Dry
When your home’s air is too dry, you’ll likely notice a range of issues that affect your comfort, health, and even your home itself. Here are some common signs of dry indoor air and what they might mean for you.
Dry Skin and Chapped Lips
If your skin feels dry, itchy, or flaky, and your lips are constantly chapped, it’s a strong indication of low indoor humidity. Dry air pulls moisture from your skin, leaving it dehydrated and uncomfortable.
Increased Static Electricity
Do you notice a lot of static shocks when you touch doorknobs or pet your dog? Dry air makes it easier for static electricity to build up, leading to more frequent and annoying shocks.
Cracking or Warping Wood
Wood furniture, floors, and musical instruments can crack, warp, or shrink when exposed to dry air. This happens because wood needs a certain amount of moisture to maintain its integrity.
Frequent Sore Throats or Coughing
Dry air can irritate your throat and nasal passages, making you more prone to sore throats, coughing, and even nosebleeds. This discomfort is often worse in the morning after a night of breathing dry air.
More Dust and Allergens in the Air
Low humidity causes dust, mold spores, and bacteria to become more airborne, potentially aggravating allergies or respiratory issues. Balanced humidity levels help reduce these irritants.
Furnace Running Constantly
When the air is dry, it often feels colder, prompting you to turn up the thermostat. This makes your furnace run more frequently, which can drive up your heating costs and put extra strain on your HVAC system.
Dry air can cause real discomfort and even damage to your home. Addressing these issues is important to maintain a comfortable, healthy living environment.
Solving Dry Air at Home
To combat dry air, adding moisture with a humidifier is the best solution. However, it’s essential to understand the differences between portable humidifiers and whole-house humidifiers so you can choose the right option for your needs.
Portable humidifiers, such as ultrasonic humidifiers or evaporative humidifiers, are designed to add mist to a single room. These units typically include a small tank that needs to be refilled frequently. While they work well for localized relief, portable humidifiers require more cleaning and maintenance to prevent mold and bacteria growth. They also don’t address the air quality throughout your entire home, making them less effective for long-term or whole-home use.
In contrast, a whole-house humidifier connects directly to your home’s HVAC system. This allows it to add moisture to the entire air volume as it circulates through your heating system during winter. Whole-house humidifiers eliminate the need for multiple portable units and provide consistent humidity throughout your entire living space. There are several types of whole-house humidifiers to choose from:
- Bypass Humidifiers: These models use airflow from your HVAC system to move air through a water panel, where it picks up moisture before re-entering your ducts.
- Fan-Powered Humidifiers: Similar to bypass models but with their own built-in fan to draw air through the water panel, increasing efficiency.
- Steam Humidifiers: These units boil water to produce steam, which is directly released into the ducts to humidify the air.
With a whole-house humidifier, you can maintain balanced humidity levels throughout your entire home. Experts recommend keeping relative humidity between 30% and 50%, though it may be slightly lower during extremely cold weather.
Benefits of a Whole Home Humidifier
A whole-house humidifier offers several advantages over portable models:
Improved Comfort
Balanced humidity levels make your home feel warmer and more comfortable without needing to raise the thermostat.
Healthier Air
Maintaining proper humidity helps prevent dry skin, irritated nasal passages, and respiratory issues while reducing the spread of bacteria and viruses.
Protects Your Home
A good humidifier prevents cracking or warping of wood floors, furniture, and instruments, preserving your home’s beauty and value.
Low Maintenance
Unlike portable units, a whole-house humidifier requires less frequent cleaning and operates automatically, saving you time and effort.
A whole-house humidifier is a simple, effective way to keep your home comfortable, healthy, and protected all winter long.
Whole-Home Humidifier Installation From Novak Heating and Cooling
At Novak Heating and Cooling, we make installing a whole-house humidifier a seamless and hassle-free process. Our experienced technicians are trained to ensure every step is completed perfectly so your new system operates efficiently from day one. Here’s what you can expect during the installation process:
- Connecting the Unit to Your Home’s HVAC System: We securely integrate the humidifier with your existing heating system to ensure it treats all the air circulating through your home.
- Installing the Water Line, Solenoid Valve, or Saddle Valve: Proper installation of the water flow components ensures consistent moisture delivery without leaks or interruptions.
- Setting Up the Humidistat: We install and calibrate the humidistat to give you precise control over your home’s humidity levels, helping maintain a comfortable and healthy environment.
- Testing the System for Optimal Performance: Before we finish, we thoroughly test the unit to confirm everything is working correctly and efficiently.
Our team works quickly and efficiently, minimizing disruptions to your day. Once installed, your whole-house humidifier will be ready to add moisture to your home’s air, improving comfort, protecting your belongings, and supporting your family’s health. You’ll be enjoying the benefits of balanced humidity in no time!
Schedule a Consultation Today
It’s normally pretty easy to tell when your Cedar Rapids area home has dry air because the symptoms are hard to ignore. Adding a whole-house humidifier is the perfect solution to keep your home comfortable, healthy, and protected this winter.
Call Novak Heating and Cooling today at 319-364-4626 or schedule online to arrange a consultation. We proudly serve Cedar Rapids, Center Point, Marion, Ely, North Liberty, Hiawatha, and the surrounding areas. Don’t wait—enjoy the comfort and health benefits of balanced humidity all season long!