Are you comfortable? We certainly hope so. Here at GAMA Air we make it our job to keep our friends and neighbors in the Beverly Hills, Culver City, Mar Vista, Miracle Mile, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Bel Air, Westwood, Downtown Los Angeles, Vernon, Huntington Park, Sherman Oaks, Encino area comfortable in their home. Have you ever stopped to think about what it takes to feel comfortable? Temperature is an obvious factor; it shouldn’t be too hot or too cold. However, have you considered the humidity? If the humidity in your home is too high or too low then it won’t feel comfortable. Low humidity can be a problem in the wintery months. Do you remember the pot of water that your grandma always kept on top of his woodburning stove? Granny was using a humidifier.
The fact is that as the weather gets colder the air holds less moisture leading to lower humidity levels. So, what about your house? Of course, having a hygrometer is the best and most authoritative way to measure the humidity level, but here are some common clues that your home needs more moisture: chapped lips; dry sinuses; dry skin; frequent sore throat; nose bleeds; dry, cracking wood furniture; static electricity.
That’s where humidifiers come into play. But what exactly do they do? How will it help with your nose bleeds and cracking wood furniture? Are they always helpful? And most importantly, Do you need one?
How does a humidifier work?
There are various types of humidifiers that can be installed on a central heating and air system, but they all have the same function: they add water vapor to the air to increase the humidity level.
Steam Humidifiers: These turn water into steam, which is then pumped into the home. This could be a single-room humidifier, or a whole-house humidifier attached to your heating system.
Fan Powered Humidifiers: These have water trickling down a screen or pad and then air blows through it absorbing some of the water as it goes through. In the case of stand-alone humidifiers, the air is blown directly into a room. If it is a whole-house humidifier then this moist air is blown into your heating system ductwork and distributed throughout the house.
Bypass Humidifiers: These also run water over a screen or pad, however they depend on the circulating fan in your heating system to blow air through this and into your home. This type of humidifier can only be installed as a whole-house system.
How does a humidifier help?
The symptoms and conditions described above are frequently a result of low moisture levels in the air in your home. So when used correctly, humidifiers can help to alleviate dry skin, chapped lips, nose bleeds. Cracking wood furniture is usually due to shrinkage which happens when wood dries out even more than when you bought it. Putting moisture in the air can also prevent that.
Are there any downsides?
Quite honestly, although humidifiers are extremely useful, even a necessity, they can actually make you sick if they aren’t maintained properly. Dirty humidifiers can breed mold and bacteria. And if humidity levels stay too high there is the further problem of mildew and mold growing in your home.
The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends that humidity levels in your home be between 25% and 40% in the winter. So be sure to monitor and control humidity levels and keep your humidifier clean. If you have allergies, asthma, or a sensitivity to mold then we recommend that you talk to your doctor before using a humidifier.
Do I need a humidifier?
If you experience several of the conditions that we described at the beginning of this post throughout the winter season, then the answer is: Yes. You need a humidifier. For the health of your family and the health of your furniture and wood trim, we recommend that you have a whole-home humidifier installed by a qualified professional. But first do some research so you can make an educated decision about the type of humidifier you want installed. We here at GAMA Air would be happy to visit you in your home and discuss your options. Give us a call at (310) 651-6936 or use our online form to request a visit. We 100% guarantee your satisfaction!
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