6 Benefits of Using a Humidifier During Winter

Rough, dry skin. Scratchy throat and irritated nasal passages. The spread of viral infections through family members. These are all the symptoms of dry air in a heated home.

But using a humidifier during the winter can help relieve some of these issues and even keep your home from feeling moisture depletion, too.

Here are some benefits of using a humidifier during the winter:

1. Lessens the spread of airborne viruses

Recent studies have shown that raising indoor humidity levels to at least 43% renders about 85% of known viruses virtually ineffective because moisture prevents germs from moving. The higher moisture content causes them to drop rather than float through the air.

2. Reduces dry, cracked skin

Because the human body is about 60% water, dry air pulls the moisture out of our bodies which leaves our skin rough and dry. Running a humidifier also reduces chapped lips and helps your body feel healthier, overall.

3. Can relieve allergy symptoms

In the past, humidifiers put out too much moisture, which allowed dust mites to breed. This created more problems for some allergy sufferers. However, newer models can be adjusted to create a more moderate amount of moisture which has been shown to reduce allergic reactions.

4. Helps you get a better night’s sleep

Humidifiers can help reduce snoring because they keep the mouth and nasal passages from drying out. So, whether you are the person snoring or the person having to listen to the snoring, you’re both able to get a better night’s rest if the snoring has been cut to a minimum.

5. Keeps your wood surfaces moisturized

If you have noticed that your wooden doors shrink in the winter and no longer close properly, this is probably due to a decrease in humidity. A humidifier can help solve this issue by adding moisture to the wood.

6. Helps save money on utility bills

Humid air is warmer because it holds more heat. This can help your HVAC system perform better because it doesn’t have to work as hard to heat your home. This makes your home warmer and saves you money on your energy bills.

The Brooklyn heating experts at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning hope you stay warm and comfortable this winter and using a humidifier can help you achieve this goal. If you have other issues with your furnace or boiler and need a heating repair or a maintenance check-up, please call us to schedule an appointment with one of our trained heating technicians!