Adding a humidifier to your offers a host of benefits, especially in the colder months, when the air is drier. In winter, indoor air can have around 10 percent humidity, but did you know the ideal humidity level for your home is between 30 and 40 percent? During the winter, you and your home can suffer when the air becomes too dry.

Here are the top six benefits of humidified air.

1. Keeps You Healthy

More moisture in the air allows the tiny hairs inside your nose to do a more efficient job of filtering out bacteria and viruses to prevent colds and flu. Moistening air with a humidifier can help soothe some symptoms of common winter colds, helping you breathe and sleep easier.

2. Preserves Wood

Wooden furniture, flooring and musical instruments all need adequate amounts of moisture to maintain their integrity. If the air is too dry, it can cause wood to crack and split. Adding a humidifier can help protect your wood and keep it looking newer for longer.

3. Moisturizes Your Skin

You need to run your heater day and night to stay comfortable in the depths of winter, but constant exposure to warm air can leave your exposed skin tight, dry and itchy. Prevent skin from cracking and chapping by running a humidifier.

4. Creates More Warmth

A humidifier will not only help you fend off dry winter skin, but it will also make your home feel warmer, saving you money on your energy bills. Air at a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 10 percent humidity will feel like 67 degrees, but at 50 percent humidity, it will feel like it is 69 degrees!

5. Controls Static Electricity

One sure sign of winter is the first time you touch a metal doorknob and get a nasty shock, or finding your laundry crackles and sticks to itself when you try to fold it. A humidifier can lessen the potential for static electricity during the winter months.

6. Keeps Houseplants Healthy

Many of the most popular species of indoor plants originated in high-humidity tropical climates. Winter indoor air does not provide enough moisture to keep these houseplants healthy, and you will notice their leaves becoming brown. Adding a humidifier to a room will make all the difference in helping your plants survive and thrive all winter.

Do You Need a Humidifier This Fall?

As you can see, there are many positive reasons to add more moisture to the air in your home before winter arrives. It requires balance, though. Excessive humidity in the air can encourage the growth of dangerous organisms like dust mites, mold and mildew. Monitoring moisture levels and regular use and maintenance of your humidifier can ensure you get all the benefits of moistened air without risking your family’s health.

If you’re ready to learn more about getting a humidifier in your Philadelphia-area home before the cold of an East Coast winter arrives, contact your locally owned experts at Nu-Temp Heating and Cooling. We provide reliable humidifier installation and maintenance for both residential and commercial properties throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties.