Humidification is important!

Dry air in your home during wintertime can lead to window and door shrinkage, resulting in leaks and heat loss.  Saving moneyis not the only benefit that a humidifier brings you during dry winter weather; it is also your personal comfort level that is affected.

Cool, dry air in winter not only means a rise in your energy bills, but it also means a rise in chapped lips, flaky skin and scratchy throats.

What to buy!

When buying a humidifier, here are some things to keep in mind:  Steam and “warm mist” humidifiers use more energy than the ultrasonic, impeller or evaporative models because they involve heating water.  In-duct model use the least energy of any type, but they can only be used if you have a hot-air furnace with a duct system.  In-duct models costs between $100 to $250 plus installation (usually another $200).

Before you purchase, you need to measure your square footage so you get the right sized model, and be sure to keep it clean!

What to look for!

Buy a humidifier with a hydrostat, which automatically controls the humidity.  It’s not only better for you (too much humidity can cause health problems); it will also keep you from wasting energy.