November 12, 2024
Dry indoor air can cause all kinds of problems, such as dry skin, headaches, sinus discomfort, and more. It can even lead to breathing difficulties. If you want to make your house a more comfortable place to live, it helps you to know what’s causing the dry air. Many variables affect how dry the air inside your home may be, including changes in the weather and structural problems.
Cold Winter Weather
Cold winter weather is a major contributor to dry air in houses, especially in areas like St. Louis, MO. The air’s relative humidity drops as temperatures fall. This is because cold air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air. The lower the temperature, the less humidity in the air. A lot of people experience uncomfortable dryness, including skin cracking and nasal dryness, because of the reduced moisture.
Central Heating Systems
Central heating systems are great for keeping the house warm, but they can also cause the air to become dry. When these systems are operational, they dry out the air by heating it and lowering its relative humidity. Central heating can reduce interior humidity levels by 20%, according to research from the National Center for Biotechnology. One solution is to use a humidifier with your heating system. You may even want to consider installing a whole-home humidifier. This device connects to your HVAC system and disperses moisture throughout the entire home.
Space Heaters
Space heaters work great as a supplemental form of heating, but they increase the risk of dry air. Like central heating systems, space heaters raise the ambient temperature without adding moisture, therefore, reducing humidity. They especially exacerbate dry air problems in cramped, confined areas. A space heater with an integrated humidifier is a great solution to this problem.
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves
Using a fireplace or wood stove to heat a room has the effect of “burning off” moisture from the air. The combustion process releases water vapor through the chimney, lowering the room’s humidity. This becomes particularly noticeable in a poorly ventilated room and spaces where the fireplace is the primary source of heat. The United States Department of Energy reports that wood-burning fireplaces can reduce relative humidity in a room by up to 30%. To counteract this, you may want to try heating some water in a kettle over the stove or fireplace to re-humidify the air.
Lack of Proper Ventilation
Steam and moisture are byproducts of cooking. Humidity might rise because of this water condensing in an unventilated kitchen. Nevertheless, as humidity levels change, the air may seem stuffy and dry if there isn’t proper ventilation to remove the moisture. This is why it’s a good idea to install exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. This will help maintain proper humidity levels and avoid dry air.
Poor Insulation
Cold air will sneak in through cracks in your home’s insulation if you don’t insulate it well. Because of the drop in interior temperatures caused by this intrusion, your heating system may have to work harder. This will, in turn, cause the air to become dryer. An expert can perform an insulation inspection to determine which areas need more insulation. Common areas to add insulation to help with dry air include attics, basements, and exterior walls.
Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows
When chilly air seeps into your house through cracks around doors and windows, it puts extra strain on your heating system. It also speeds up the evaporation of moisture. This is especially noticeable in older houses that have worn weather stripping or single-pane windows. The United States Department of Energy reports that fixing air leaks can increase your home’s energy efficiency by 20%–30%.
Sealing leaks around doors and windows is fairly simple. You can apply weatherstripping or caulk to the cracks to keep cold air from getting inside.
Lack of Indoor Plants
Plants raise the relative humidity of the air using a process called transpiration, which involves the release of water vapor into the air. The University of Georgia discovered that relative humidity levels were 20% to 30% higher in houses with houseplants compared to those without. Some of the best indoor plants for adding humidity to your home include ferns, peace lilies, and spider plants.
Leaky Ductwork
Ductwork leaks in HVAC systems lead to the loss of heated or cool air before it reaches the living areas. Not only does this make it harder to maintain a pleasant temperature, but it also changes indoor humidity levels. According to the US Department of Energy, HVAC systems can lose up to 30% of their efficiency due to leaky ducts. Having an expert seal the ducts regularly will prevent leaks and help combat dry air.
Using Ceiling Fans the Wrong Way
In winter, many houses forget to reverse their ceiling fans, creating a drafty and dry atmosphere. Ceiling fans should spin in a clockwise direction to keep humidity levels stable. This blade direction circulates the warm air that rises naturally. Turning them counterclockwise will provide a cooling wind, which can make dry air problems worse.
Failing to Use Humidity Settings on Thermostat
Many of today’s newer thermostats and HVAC systems come with humidity control settings. Failure to use these settings can result in dry air. Most experts recommend using the humidity control setting to keep an indoor humidity level of 30% to 50%. This range ensures the air isn’t too dry while also preventing the growth of mold and mildew.
High Elevation Areas Around St. Louis
Dry air problems are more common at higher elevations around St. Louis. This is because the higher you go in elevation, the colder it gets. Also, the less moisture the air holds. Homes in high-elevation areas around St. Louis frequently use whole-home humidifiers to overcome their struggles with dry indoor air.
Overuse of Air Scrubbers
Air scrubbers are an excellent tool for purifying the air in your home. This results in numerous advantages for you and your HVAC system. For starters, it means fewer allergens in the air, which reduces allergies and asthma symptoms. This is of major benefit to those with breathing difficulties. The cleaner air also means less dust and dirt on surfaces, making it easier to keep the home clean. Less dust and grime accumulation on the HVAC system reduces wear and tear and increases heating and cooling efficiency. However, air scrubbers come with the potential to make the air dry. This is because they remove moisture from the air as they filter out contaminants. To prevent the scrubber from removing too much moisture, you’ll need to adjust the settings as needed. You may also need to use the air scrubber in conjunction with a whole-house humidifier.
Speaking with a Scott-Lee Heating Company technician can help you learn about different solutions for dry air in St. Louis. Scott-Lee Heating Company offers a wide range of services to make your home more comfortable. We provide HVAC maintenance for traditional HVAC systems, ductless models, mini-splits, heat pumps, and more. We also specialize in metalwork.
Call Scott-Lee Heating Company today to learn more about the benefits of using a whole-home humidifier or other indoor air quality solutions.