The moisture is spread throughout the home, significantly improving comfort
The winters in South Bend, Indiana, are especially long and cold. We expect temperatures in the teens, and even down into the negatives, and the wind chill makes conditions feel even colder. The area averages snow accumulation of more than five feet over the course of the year. We rely heavily on the furnace for anywhere from six to eight months. Because cold air doesn’t retain as much moisture, we commonly have problems with insufficient humidity. For homes in South Bend, a humidifier is just about a necessity. I started out by trying to improve indoor air quality with portable humidifiers, but I was constantly refilling the reservoirs and they barely made a difference. The overly dry air aggravated my daughter’s allergies and worsened my problems with psoriasis. My husband complained of headaches, and we all found it difficult to sleep soundly at night. I was worried about hardwood furnishings, doors and moldings cracking. I was concerned that our hardwood floors would start to squeak. Plus, dry air feels colder than properly moisturized air, which encourages higher thermostat settings. This puts added strain on the furnace and leads to more costly energy bills. I finally made the investment into a whole-home humidifier that installed right into the plenum of the furnace. It is a steam-style humidifier that uses electrodes to convert water to steam and introduce it into the heated air. The moisture is spread throughout the home, significantly improving comfort. I’ve noticed a difference in the cleanliness of the home as well as the health and energy levels of my family. The savings on my utility bills has quickly recovered the cost of the humidifier.