Have you been noticing that your skin feels dry lately? Or static in your clothes and hair? If so, you may have low humidity in your home. In Onslow County and the rest of eastern North Carolina, we usually think about the high humidity we have during the summers but the cold air that comes during winter sucks out all of the moisture. Low humidity can lead to increased respiratory infections and allergic reactions among other things.
The chart above shows some of the more common contaminates found in homes and what types of environment they thrive in. The relative humidity in your home should be between 40 and 60 percent. Here are some things that you can do to increase humidity levels in your home.
- Use a humidifier. The most efficient way to control humidity in your home is to have a whole home humidifier installed. They deliver the right amount of moisture all throughout your home. If that option doesn’t work so well for you, you can purchase smaller room humidifiers and place them in the rooms your family uses most often like the living room.
- Boil water on the stove. A quick way to add moisture to the air is to boil a pot of water on the stove. Don’t turn on the exhaust fan that sucks the moisture out.
- Leave the door open when you shower. When you take a shower, keep bath fans turned off and open the door to allow the humid air permeate your home. Another idea is to leave the water you use inside the tub. As the water slowly evaporates, moisture is released into your home.
- Hang up clothes to dry. Instead of using the dryer, hang up wet clothes to dry. By following this tip you can not only create more moisture inside your home but also save a little money on your utility bill.
- Buy some houseplants. Houseplants are a great way to increase humidity in your home and also help clean the air. One of the natural processes of plants is transpiration, which releases moisture into the air.
- Leave out bowls of water. Probably the most simple thing you can do is to leave out bowls of water around your home. It works best to use a clear glass or vase and place it in direct sunlight. The slow evaporation increases the humidity. If you have floor vents, place the water bowls on top. This might not work so well for you if you have small children (or clumsy adults).
As always, the comfort specialists at Davis Heating & AC are here for you. If you would like information on having a whole home humidifier installed, please give us a call. We service Jacksonville, Richlands, Hubert, Sneads Ferry and surrounding areas.