Banish Dry Indoor Air With a Whole-House Humidifier

Winter brings cold temperatures, snow, and dry air to southeast Wisconsin.

At Midwest Heating & Cooling, we cannot fix the snow and cold, but we can increase your comfort by improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) in your New Berlin home. We recommend a whole-house humidifier to add moisture to dry indoor air.

We are a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) company with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. In addition to repairing, replacing, installing, and maintaining heating, cooling, and indoor air quality equipment, we also specialize in radiant floors, water heaters, and zone control systems.

How Humid Should My Air Be?

Humidity, the amount of water vapor in the air, should be somewhat balanced in your home. Too much moisture in the air makes an ideal environment for mold, bacteria, viruses, and dust mites. Too little humidity can trigger respiratory issues, aggravate skin conditions such as eczema, and irritate nasal passages.

The Mayo Clinic points out that humidity levels are higher in the summer and lower in the winter and that ideally, humidity in your home should be between 30 and 50 percent. A relatively inexpensive tool called a hygrometer can measure the humidity level inside your home.

Dry and Shocking Air

If the humidity level in your New Berlin home drops too low, you may experience the sting of static electricity every time you touch a metal surface. Dry air has a greater risk of static electricity buildup.

Extremely low humidity also can damage wood furniture, floors, and trim. Just as dry air extracts moisture from your skin and lips, it does the same to wood.

You may find yourself dialing up the thermostat to stay warm when humidity is too low. That leads to increased energy use and higher utility bills.

A whole-house humidifier will reduce dryness in your environment and allow you to lower your thermostat because humidified air feels warmer. It will enhance your comfort and will help you to save money on energy bills.

Kinds of Whole-House Humidifiers

Whole-house humidifiers work in conjunction with your HVAC system by blowing moisture via ductwork throughout your home. They have built-in humidistats that allow you to set the humidity level for your New Berlin home.

At Midwest Heating & Cooling, we recommend Carrier products, which are known for quality and efficiency.

We offer a variety of whole-house humidifiers, including a steam-producing model. It uses electrodes to boil water and then distributes the resulting steam through your ductwork. Carrier’s bypass humidifiers use less electricity by relying on the furnace blower to move moisture-laden air through ductwork. Its fan-powered humidifiers also send vapor directly into air ducts.

Whole-house humidifiers are the best choice if you want to add humidity evenly throughout your New Berlin home.

What About Portable Humidifiers?

Portable units typically are noisier than whole-house humidifiers and are designed to humidify a small portion of your home.

Your whole-house humidifier requires annual maintenance, just like heating and cooling systems do.

A portable humidifier requires more frequent attention. If you use it daily, you should clean it every few days, so it does not become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. You must disassemble and then reassemble the unit after you have finished cleaning it.

A thorough cleaning includes disinfecting the water tank and tray or base, wiping the fan blades, and rinsing the filter.

Add Moisture to Your Home Today

Breathe easier this winter in your New Berlin, WI, home. Let Midwest Heating & Cooling recommend a whole-house humidifier to add moisture to your indoor air. Call us at 414-439-0827 or request service online.