Balance Out Your Home Humidity With Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers

The right temperature is important to feeling comfortable in your home. But did you know that humidity is another major contributing factor? Humidifiers and dehumidifiers from Martens Plumbing & Heating can help you keep your moisture levels balanced and feel comfortable. Below, we explain the difference between humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Have questions? Call us today for answers.

Why Is Proper Humidity Important?

Unbalanced moisture levels in your home can lead to several comfort and even health problems. If your humidity is too high, your home can feel hot and sticky—and can suffer from mold and mildew problems. On the flipside, if humidity is too low, you’ll experience dry skin, static electricity, and more frequent colds and illnesses.

To avoid these problems and more, try to keep your humidity in the ideal range.

Humidifiers vs. Dehumidifiers

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers both work to adjust the humidity levels in your home, but each has a different function.

A humidifier adds moisture to your home. This is necessary during winter when the cold temperatures suck the humidity out of the air. Some common signs of low humidity include:

• Dry/cracked skin
• Static electricity
• Dry cough
• Increased chance of illness
• In extreme cases, cracked furniture or flooring

Conversely, a dehumidifier functions the other way—it removes excess moisture from your home air. This is most necessary during summer when temperatures run warmer. You’ll notice these signs if your home humidity levels are starting to run high:

• Warmer, muggier air indoors
• Condensation
• Odd smell and odors
• In extreme cases, mold or bacteria growth

What Are the Benefits of Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers?

If your home moisture levels run high or low, you’ll want to install a humidifier or dehumidifier so you can take advantage of some of these benefits:

Better Health

When home air gets too dry, it becomes easier for bacteria and viruses to flow more freely. This means a higher chance of sickness during the winter months. Likewise, high humidity levels can result in mold growth, which can also lead to sickness or an increase in symptoms for allergy and asthma sufferers. A home humidifier or dehumidifier can reduce the prevalence of illness in your home.

Save Energy and Money

When your home humidity levels are balanced, the temperature will feel more comfortable. You won’t need to run your air conditioner at as low of a temperature in summer if your humidity isn’t too high. The opposite is true for winter. Maintaining more reasonable numbers on your thermostat will add up to savings on your energy bill over time.

A More Efficient HVAC System

When you reduce the amount of dust and dirt circulating through your HVAC, the air can move more freely within your ductwork. This means less stress on your system—it won’t have to work as hard to push past those contaminants. That smooth operation can also result in an improved energy efficiency and comfort in your home.

Martens Plumbing Is the Top Choice for Your Home Comfort

Ready to take the next step to more comfortable air in your home? Martens has the right combination of residential indoor air quality solutions and products to address your concerns of odors, humidity, pollution, and more. Give us a call today at 262-363-7146 or contact us online to get started.