News and Helpful Tips

Balance is good, especially when it comes to indoor humidity. The right amount of moisture in the air will make your home feel warmer in the winter. Too much, and you risk mold growth. Too little, and you may be more susceptible to viruses. So what is the ideal indoor humidity level?

The Sweet Spot

Too much humidity can cause musty odors, mold growth, condensation or water stains, peeling wallpaper or blistering paint, and aggravated allergies. Low humidity can cause dry skin, nosebleeds, damage to wood furniture and floors, and susceptibility to illness. To avoid these extremes, the ideal range is between 30 and 40 percent relative humidity in the winter.

How Humidity Affects Health

Research shows that increasing humidity levels reduces the ability of airborne viruses to cause flu infections. Viruses and bacteria don’t travel well in moist air. Humid air also makes it more comfortable to sleep because it limits snoring and keeps your nasal passages and throat moist.

How to Get Rid of Dry Air

Thankfully, there are ways to increase the humidity in your home and maintain it at optimum levels:

• Install a whole house humidifier to work in tandem with your furnace.
• Add some houseplants to purify the air and replenish moisture.
• Place water basins near your heating system so the moisture evaporates into the air.
• Boil water on the stove. Bonus: add your favorite essential oils, herbs/spices, or citrus fruit for scent.
• Line dry your clothes instead of running the dryer. This will reduce static.

At Heating & Cooling Two, we understand the importance of indoor air quality and offer a variety of accessories to help you maintain a healthy atmosphere in your home. We also provide humidifier filters that trap pollutants so you can rest assured the moist air is cleaned of particles and bacteria before being dispensed.

Need help assessing what your HVAC system needs to keep you comfortable this winter? Trust our experienced technicians for a furnace tune-up. We serve homes and businesses in locations throughout 11 counties in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Request a free estimate.

Contact us to learn more.