The benefits of a winter home humidifier

Winter is the season for humidifiers in most areas of the country. Whether you use gas or electric heat, the air from your furnace will not only keep you warm, it will dry out the air in your home. Humidifiers, by sending small molecules of moisture into the air, can help keep you healthier but also extend the life of your furniture.

There are two kinds of humidifiers on the market today: console and whole-house. Of the two, a whole-house humidifier is the best if you are able to install one to your existing heating system. Console, or single room, humidifiers are available for those that cannot apply the device to their heating systems.

Whole-house humidifiers are the most recommended for many reasons. The first being lower maintenance. Because of lower water requirements, a whole house humidifier can run for five or six weeks before needing a thorough cleaning. Consoles, on the other hand, may need to be cleaned out weekly during the season to remove any mold and bacteria build up. No matter which type of humidifier you own, you should clean the water pan and make sure if it has any type of filter or pad to clean that also.

While many consoles are sold stating they are full house, few live up to that expectation. The general rule of thumb is to look at the manufacturer's statement of square footage served and cut that by half. This is another reason that whole-house humidifiers are a better bargain. Since they are attached to the existing heating system, they do indeed circulate moisture through the entire house using the existing furnace ductwork. Consoles use a small fan to disperse the water into the air.

The benefits of humidifiers during the heating season are many. The most common are listed below.

1. Can help relieve cold symptoms by making the air you breath moist, which helps keep your lungs more elastic.

2. Reduce susceptibility to infection by keeping the mucus membranes of your throat and nasal passages moist allowing the tiny hairs (cilia) in both to work at expelling foreign objects such as mold, pet dander and bacteria.

3. Relieve and prevent dry, scratchy skin and lips.

4. Keep valuable wood furniture from drying out and cracking.

5. Reduce static electricity, thus reducing the tiny shocks received from touching certain objects and other people.

6. Can help prevent wood floors from buckling and separating.

7. Reduce nosebleeds, as the air you breathe is moist.

Humidifiers are not miracle workers, but they do help you save money in doctor expenses and furniture repairs. Be wary of anyone saying that running a humidifier saves on heating bills though; what is saved by turning down the thermostat is used by running the humidifier.

The optimum humidity level in a house is generally 35 - 40 percent, anything above that can induce mold and may make your home feel more like a swamp. An easy way to tell if you have too much humidity in your home is to look at your windows. If there is moisture on the glass, cut back on your humidifier use.

If your only option is a console humidifier, the best place to put it is in the hallway outside the bedroom doors where everyone in the house will reap its benefits.