Winter in Rockwall may not bring the heavy snows of the north, but it does come with its own challenge. Dry, cold winter air can be more than just a seasonal discomfort; it can impact your overall health and the warmth of your home.
That’s why we’ve compiled essential tips and expert advice on combating dry winter air, ensuring your home remains cozy. Whether it’s through state-of-the-art humidifiers, regular HVAC maintenance, or simple home remedies, our goal at Lyons Air & Heat is to help you and your loved ones enjoy a comfortable home all winter long.
With our expertise in heating and air conditioning, we’re here to guide you through the best practices and products that will keep your indoor air quality at its best during the winter season. To learn more about how our Rockwall indoor air quality experts can help you combat dry indoor air, call Lyons Air at (214) 432-2859.
Why Does the Air Become So Dry in the Winter?
The air becomes significantly drier in the winter due to the basic principles of temperature and humidity. Cold air naturally holds less moisture than warm air. As the temperatures outside drop during the winter months, the air’s capacity to retain moisture diminishes, leading to a drier atmosphere.
When this cold, dry air enters our homes and is heated, it becomes even drier because the relative humidity, a measure of the amount of moisture air can hold at a particular temperature, decreases further. This process results in the noticeably dry conditions we experience indoors during winter, which can cause various discomforts like dry skin, irritated sinuses, static electricity, and more.
Negative Effects of Dry Indoor Air
Dry indoor air can have several negative effects on both our health and our living environments. Physically, it can cause dry, itchy skin, a sore throat, irritated eyes, and exacerbated respiratory issues like asthma and allergies. The lack of moisture in the air can also increase susceptibility to colds and flu, as dry mucous membranes reduce the body’s ability to filter out viruses and bacteria.
In addition to health concerns, dry air can also impact the home itself. It can cause wooden furniture, flooring, and musical instruments to lose moisture and shrink, leading to cracks and damage. Static electricity is also more common in dry environments, which can be a nuisance and potentially harm sensitive electronic equipment.
Static electricity is another common annoyance, resulting in small shocks potentially damaging sensitive electronic equipment. Maintaining an ideal humidity level is essential not only for your comfort and health but also for preserving your home and belongings.
Can Dry Air Cause Congestion?
Yes, dry winter air can cause congestion, a common issue many families face during winter. Dry air pulls moisture from its surroundings, including the mucous membranes in our nasal passages. This moisture loss can dry out nasal passages, making them more irritable and inflamed.
As a response, the body may produce excess mucus as a protective mechanism, leading to nasal congestion. This condition is a nuisance and can worsen other respiratory issues and interrupt a good night’s sleep.
How To Put Moisture Into Dry Air
There are many different ways that you can combat dry air in your Rockwall home and reintroduce moisture into the air. Below, we’ll list both DIY solutions and professional indoor air quality services that help reduce wintertime humidity in your home. From using humidifiers to natural solutions like placing water bowls near heated air or indoor plants, each approach offers a unique way to create a balanced, moisture-rich environment in your home.
DIY Strategies
Humidifiers
Humidifiers are an excellent tool in the battle against dry winter air. By placing portable humidifiers in frequently used rooms, like bedrooms and living rooms, you can directly target the areas where you spend most of your time, ensuring a more comfortable and moisture-rich environment.
However, it’s crucial to clean and maintain these humidifiers regularly. Without proper care, humidifiers can become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, which can then be dispersed into the air, leading to health issues.
Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also serve as natural humidifiers, making them a fantastic addition to any home battling dry winter air. Plants increase humidity by releasing moisture into the air through transpiration. You can naturally enhance the air quality by strategically placing indoor plants throughout your house.
Water Basins
By putting basins or bowls of water near radiators, heaters, or other central heating systems, the heat will gradually cause the water to evaporate, releasing moisture into the surrounding air and increasing humidity levels in the room.
Air Dry Laundry
Air drying your laundry is another way to increase humidity in your home. As your clothes dry, they release moisture into the air, which is especially beneficial in enclosed spaces where dry air is a constant issue. It’s a simple, cost-effective solution that helps the discomfort of dry air while being gentle on your clothes.
Cooking and Boiling Water
When you boil water, whether for cooking pasta, vegetables, or making a pot of soup, the hot water naturally releases steam into the surrounding environment. This steam acts as a natural humidifier, gently increasing the humidity levels in your kitchen and nearby areas. This is particularly effective in open-plan homes where the kitchen is a central feature, allowing the benefits of the steam to spread throughout a larger area.
Ventilation Adjustments
Making simple ventilation adjustments in your home can significantly impact maintaining indoor moisture levels. One method is to minimize the use of exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. While useful for removing odors and steam, these fans can also pull moist air out of your home. For example, running exhaust fans during hot showers removes the humid air instead of letting it circulate. So, instead of running the fan, leave the bathroom door open the next time you take a hot shower.
Weatherproofing
By sealing gaps around windows and doors, you effectively keep warm, moist air inside and prevent cold, dry air from entering. This not only helps in retaining heat but also plays a role in preserving the humidity levels in your home.
Professional HVAC Services
Humidity Level Assessment & HVAC Inspection
At Lyons Air & Heat, we offer comprehensive humidity level assessments and HVAC inspections to ensure your home remains comfortable throughout winter. Our HVAC professionals will evaluate the humidity levels in your Rockwall home and recommend ways to improve.
During our thorough inspections, we pay special attention to your heating system, ensuring it operates efficiently without over-drying the air. Our goal is to ensure that your HVAC system not only heats your home effectively but also contributes to maintaining a balanced and pleasant indoor atmosphere.
Whole-House Humidifier Installation
Installing a whole-house humidifier directly into your HVAC system is an effective solution that Lyons Air offers to ensure consistent and optimal humidity levels throughout your home. A whole-house humidifier is a game-changer for combating dry, cold air, as it seamlessly integrates with your existing heating and cooling system to distribute moisture evenly across every room. Unlike portable humidifiers, a whole-house system requires minimal maintenance and operates quietly in the background, providing a constant source of moisture without the need for regular refilling.
Ductwork Sealing and Cleaning
Over time, ducts can develop leaks, leading to a loss of heated air and reduced indoor humidity. At Lyons Air, our indoor air quality experts can seal any leaks, preventing the escape of humid air during the winter.
It’s also important to clean your air ducts to remove dust and debris, which can block airflow and reduce the system’s efficiency. Clean ducts ensure your system operates at its peak, evenly distributing warm, humidified air throughout your home.
Regular Maintenance Checks
Regular HVAC maintenance is essential for identifying and addressing any issues that may contribute to dry air in your home. At Lyons Air, your HVAC technician will thoroughly examine your heating and cooling system, looking for signs of wear and tear or potential problems that could affect its performance. By catching and resolving these issues early, they help maintain the system’s ability to humidify and heat the air in your home properly.
Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) Installation
Installing an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) is an innovative solution to maintain balanced humidity levels while enhancing ventilation. An ERV works by exchanging the air inside your home with fresh air from outside, simultaneously recovering heat and moisture from the exchanged air. This process helps retain the desired humidity level inside, even during the dry winter months, without sacrificing the warmth.
Tired of Dry Indoor Air During the Winter Months? Call Lyons Air & Heat Today
Are you tired of the issues that come with dry indoor air during the winter months? Don’t let it affect your home and health any longer. Contact Lyons Air & Heat today and let our experienced Rockwall HVAC professionals provide the perfect solution. Whether it’s installing a whole-house humidifier, conducting regular maintenance checks, or offering advice to improve your indoor air quality, we are here to ensure your home stays comfortable, healthy, and humidified all winter long. Call Lyons Air & Heat at (214) 432-2859 or contact us online and take the first step towards a more comfortable living space this winter.
