3 Revealing Signs That You Need a Humidifier Today

Dry and itchy skin is as much a part of winter as snowstorms and warm blankets. At Gross Heating & Air Conditioning, we understand that—which is why our experts are here to help you stay as comfortable as possible. Below, we share some telltale signs that you need a humidifier. If you spot any of these clues in your Brookfield-area home, call us today to help solve them: 262-783-6000.

What Does a Humidifier Do?

Humidifiers take water and release it as a mist, adding moisture back into dry air. Cold weather naturally saps this moisture from the environment, causing problems like dry skin, frequent colds, and even cracking wooden furniture. Humidified air—which, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, should fall between 30 and 50 percent humidity—eliminates these dry air symptoms, helps your home feel warmer, and enhances your overall comfort.

These systems can even help battle certain airborne viruses—including the coronavirus. According to experts like Dr. Stephanie Taylor, Harvard Medical School’s infection control consultant, our susceptibility to respiratory infections like COVID-19 increases when humidity levels fall to 20 percent. Home humidifiers are a great way to fix that. “Humidification has been shown to reduce viral infectivity in a number of settings, including hospitals, daycare centers, long-term care facilities, transportation vehicles, and in homes,” Dr. Taylor explains.

How to Know If You Need a Humidifier

Here are three signs that will tell you it’s time to think about a whole-home humidifier:

Dry and Itchy Skin

Your skin is one of the best indicators that your home humidity levels are off. If it’s itchy and cracking, dry air could be to blame. A humidifier can help alleviate these issues better than lotion or lip balm.

Congestion and Nose Bleeds

Listen to your nose, too. Low humidity can cause your nasal passages to dry out, causing you to become congested—particularly in the morning or at night—and out-of-the-blue nose bleeds. Dry air can also aggravate asthma or other respiratory conditions, making a humidifier a nice option to help ease some of those issues.

Too Much Static Electricity

Humidity goes a long way in blocking static electricity and buildup. So, if moisture levels get too low, the likelihood of static shocks increases. Though this sign is more annoying than problematic, in extreme cases too much static can actually disrupt or destroy your electronics.

Having Humidity Problems? Gross Knows the Answer

As a Carrier® Factory Authorized Dealer, Gross Heating knows exactly how to help keep you comfortable. If your home air is too dry—or you need help keeping it clean and healthy—know that we are just one call or click away: 262-783-6000.