We’ll Explain the Difference

So, your lips are cracked, your skin is itchy, your nose is stuffy and your chest is congested. It happens every winter. But as the new year gets underway, you’ve made a resolution to try to eliminate these problems.

But where should you start? Well, the team at Arctic Air has a suggestion: Begin by evaluating your indoor air quality. Here’s why: When you crank up the heat in the winter, it keeps your home comfy and cozy. And that’s a good thing. But it also can dry out the air you breathe, which can be detrimental to your health.

So, is there a way to solve this problem? The answer is yes! However, we’ve learned over the years that some homeowners are confused about which type of system—humidifiers vs. dehumidifiers—are the best solution to balancing the moisture in their indoor air. In the case of dry winter air, the solution is a humidifier.

Humidifiers add moisture to your indoor air, which helps eliminate the dry skin, cracked lips and breathing problems that many people experience due to indoor air that lacks adequate moisture. Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, remove excess moisture from your indoor air. They are typically a great option in the summer when the cooled air in your home can be too humid. A dehumidifier can help control your seasonal allergies and also prevent that stale and sticky feeling your home can have due to high humidity.

Of course, your health isn’t the only thing that’s at risk when your humidity levels are out of whack. High humidity can damage your furniture, result in moisture stains on your ceiling or walls and sometimes lead to mold growth. Excess moisture also can attract carpenter ants, termites and other pests. Yuck! Too little moisture isn’t any better as it can also ruin your furniture, wood beams and plaster. 

How Do I Balance the Moisture in My Indoor Air?

Ideally, the humidity in your home should be between 30 percent and 50 percent. If it’s above 50 percent, you need a dehumidifier. If it’s below 30 percent, a humidifier will do the trick.

One way to determine the humidity level in your home is with a hygrometer, which you can buy from your local home improvement store for about $20. If you don’t feel comfortable with that approach, an IAQ expert from our team—the Bear Who Cares—will be happy to visit your home to measure your humidity level and perform additional tests to evaluate your IAQ.

To learn more about our whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers or to schedule an appointment, call us – your Lancaster indoor air quality experts – today at (661) 214-9160 or contact us through our website!