SYSTEMS - HUMIDITY
Humidity in the air is something we can't get enough of in the winter and something we want to reduce in the summer. By controlling the level of humidity in your home or office, you can add to the level of comfort.
Humidifiers
Controlling humidity affects how comfortable you feel and can save you money on your monthly energy bills. Our bodies "feel" heat as a combination of temperature and humidity. In other words, the more humid the air, the warmer it feels.
So if you add humidity to dry, heated air in the winter with a humidifier, you can program your thermostat lower and still be comfortable -- while you save money on your utility bills. Adding moisture to dry winter air can also help prevent dry, cracked skin, make it easier to breathe, protect your woodwork and reduce static electricity. It can even make you less susceptible to sore throats and winter colds.
A humidifier is the machine that performs this function. During heating season, the relative humidity indoors will get to 13% or lower. The desirable level is 30-35%. Humidifiers come in a variety of designs, from floor and table models, to furnace mounted units. Furnace mounted units can be by-pass, steam, mist, wick, and powered. Some mount in the ductwork while others are attached to the plenums on the furnace. Most humidifiers feature an adjustable humidistat, similar to a programmable thermostat, so you can control the exact amount of moisture in the air.
