Why Kentucky Winters Dry Out Your Home and How HVAC Can Help
Kentucky homeowners usually endure frigid winters where there’s little moisture in the air. This cold, dry air, combined with heated indoor air, can make your home feel incredibly dry and uncomfortable. This can take a toll on your well-being, leading to issues ranging from dry skin to nosebleeds. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends indoor relative humidity levels between 30% and 50%. Air that is too dry can result in significant problems. There are several steps you can take to use your HVAC system to create a more comfortable environment.
Install a Whole-Home Humidifier
Whole-home humidifiers are an effective option for adding moisture to your indoor environment during the winter. Unlike portable options that you use in individual rooms, these systems increase moisture evenly throughout all rooms simultaneously. Proper humidity can help reduce dry skin, eyes, and lips, and ease symptoms of respiratory conditions. By adding moisture to your throat and nasal passages, these devices may also reduce snoring and encourage a more restful night’s sleep.
Beyond health benefits, whole-home humidifiers help protect the wood in your home. Excessively dry winter air could cause flooring and furniture to crack, affecting their structural integrity and appearance.
Ensure Proper Airflow
If heated air can’t circulate properly, it could cause some rooms to feel overly dry and warm while others are cold. Walk throughout your home to confirm that furniture, rugs, and other items aren’t blocking the vents. When this happens, the heated air won’t flow evenly. Additionally, blocked vents may cause your system to overheat, leading to repairs or a breakdown.
Maintain Your Air Filters
Low humidity could cause allergens, such as pet dander and dust, to remain airborne. This is particularly problematic for allergy sufferers. Keeping windows closed can contribute to the issue, as this doesn’t allow for proper ventilation. Using high-quality HEPA filters can make a significant difference in reducing the number of airborne allergens.
Change your air filter every few months. If you live with kids, pets, seniors, smokers, or health-compromised individuals, it’s ideal to change it more frequently. To replace the filter, start by turning the system off at the electrical panel. Pull the filter out carefully, and then put the new one in. Turn the system back on, paying attention to any abnormal sounds or odors.
Installing an air purification system can also reduce allergens, which improves indoor air quality. We can recommend options that are ideal for your needs and budget.
Have a Professional Seal and Insulate Ductwork
Ducts exist to efficiently transport heated air into certain rooms of your home. When they have cracks, holes, or other damage, heated air escapes. This changes the air pressure in your home. It causes cold, dry air to enter through gaps in your home’s exterior, which makes your home feel drier.
Sealing and insulating your ductwork prevents this problem. However, it’s best left to the professionals. An HVAC technician can do it properly and safely to improve energy efficiency and comfort throughout winter.
Upgrade to Variable-Speed HVAC Equipment
Unlike a traditional system, a variable-speed HVAC system adjusts its fan speed and heating output to match your winter heating needs. This encourages proper humidity levels while preventing dryness.
Upgrading to a variable-speed system offers numerous benefits, including better humidity control and more even, consistent temperatures. Additionally, its operation generally makes it more energy efficient than a traditional system.
Install Humidity Sensors
Humidity sensors detect the amount of moisture in the air to determine the current humidity level. While some modern HVAC systems have built-in sensors, not all of them do. Stand-alone sensors measure the humidity in a specific area. For example, the reading of one in a kitchen may differ from one in the living room. You can then take action, such as using a portable humidifier or adjusting your HVAC system settings.
If your HVAC system has both a humidity sensor and a whole-home humidifier, the sensor can signal the system to automatically adjust the humidity level. A standalone sensor is a simple monitoring device for manual control, while a sensor paired with a whole-home humidifier provides automatic control. Both help you maintain a more comfortable environment. Whichever option you choose, ask an HVAC technician to install it to ensure the setup works properly for your home.
Get Reliable, Trustworthy Service
Don’t let dry winter air negatively impact your home and health. Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing in Somerset, KY offers HVAC and indoor air quality services to help make your environment more comfortable.
Call our team at Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing today to schedule an appointment.
