When winter rolls in, most homeowners in Valencia focus on keeping their homes warm and cozy. But there’s another key ingredient to comfort that often goes overlooked—humidity. Cold air naturally holds less moisture, and as furnaces run around the clock, indoor air can become extremely dry. This doesn’t just lead to static shocks and dry skin; it can also make your home feel colder and less efficient to heat. The good news is that a humidifier can make a big difference, improving both comfort and heating efficiency.
The Science Behind Humidity and Warmth
Humidity affects how warm the air feels. When the air is dry, moisture evaporates more quickly from your skin, making you feel cooler even at higher temperatures. By adding moisture back into the air, a humidifier helps it retain heat more effectively, so your home feels warmer at a lower thermostat setting. For example, air at 68°F with proper humidity can feel as comfortable as air at 72°F that’s too dry.
That difference translates directly into savings. Lowering your thermostat by just one or two degrees can reduce your heating costs by several percent over the course of the winter, all without sacrificing comfort.
Health and Comfort Benefits
Beyond temperature, humidity plays a major role in your well-being. Dry air can irritate your throat, dry out your nasal passages, and make respiratory illnesses feel worse. It also causes cracked lips, itchy skin, and static electricity that shocks every time you touch a doorknob. Adding moisture helps relieve these issues and makes breathing easier, especially for people with allergies or asthma.
Maintaining indoor humidity between 30% and 50% creates a healthier environment overall. It can even help preserve wooden furniture, floors, and musical instruments, which tend to shrink or crack when exposed to overly dry air.
Boosting Heating Efficiency
Because humid air feels warmer, your heating system doesn’t need to work as hard to maintain comfort. This takes strain off your furnace, potentially extending its lifespan and reducing wear. Whole-home humidifiers can be integrated with your HVAC system to automatically balance humidity levels, while portable units are great for smaller spaces or specific rooms.
If your home tends to feel chilly despite high thermostat settings, a humidifier might be the missing piece. Combined with a smart thermostat, you can fine-tune your home’s comfort while minimizing wasted energy.
Choosing and Maintaining a Humidifier
There are several types of humidifiers, from small single-room models to furnace-mounted systems that treat the whole house. The right one depends on your home’s size and layout. Whatever you choose, proper maintenance is crucial. Regularly cleaning the tank and replacing filters prevents mold and bacteria buildup, ensuring you’re adding clean moisture to your air.
Adding a humidifier during winter is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve both comfort and efficiency. By keeping the air moist, you’ll feel warmer at lower settings, save on heating costs, and create a healthier indoor environment. It’s a small change that makes a big difference all season long.
Contact Kennihan Plumbing & Heating, Inc. today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. We treat your home like it’s our grandma’s home.