Humidity Archives - Always Plumbing & Heating

What Should Be Your Home’s Ideal Humidity?

Not too dry, not too damp—have you ever considered the ideal humidity for your home? We’re here to help! We have some smart tips for increasing and decreasing home humidity levels, depending on the weather. Your sense of comfort will be in the Goldilocks zone in no time.

What is humidity?

Humidity is the amount of water vapour or moisture in the air. You can’t see humidity, but you can sure feel it when it changes.

If you’re getting frequent nosebleeds, have a family of snorers, deal with staticky clothing, or suffer from cracked skin or allergies, dry air (from a lower humidity level) might be to blame. Humidity levels might be too high when you see moisture or ice building on the inside of your windows in the winter. Even though your home is a controlled environment, the air originates from the outdoors. Weather changes can lead to disruptions in your indoor humidity levels. Luckily, there are things you can do to stay comfortable.

How do I measure humidity in my home?

We recommend installing a smart thermostat to monitor the humidity in your house, so you’re able to adjust as outdoor conditions impact what’s happening inside. It should be regularly inspected by a certified professional. We recommend you do this annually, at the same time as your furnace inspections.

Most smart thermostats have user-friendly and simple controls, so you can adjust indoor humidity levels with a touch of a button. Our technicians can make a recommendation based on what works best for you.

What is a comfortable level of humidity?

It might take some experimentation to find the exact level for you and your family, but we have some suggestions about where to start.

If you’re contemplating what to set the humidity at in your house in the winter, you’ll need to look at the weather forecast first.

If the outside temperature is lower than -20°C, your indoor humidity shouldn’t be higher than 15%.
If the temperature drops between -10°C and -20°C, the recommended humidity in your home is around 20%.
If the outside temperature is between 0°C and -10°C, you should set indoor humidity between 25% and 30%.

The ideal humidity level in the summer is 45% to 55%. Humidity levels higher than that can be pretty uncomfortable, plus that extra moisture can create a breeding ground for mould and mildew in your home.

How do I increase the humidity?

Using a humidifier boosts humidity levels by forcing moisture into the air. You can install whole home humidifiers or buy smaller machines for a single room. A whole home humidifier is installed into your air ducts, and controlled through your thermostat.

Individual machines are more cost-effective, and are great for putting in bedrooms. Our Always Plumbing & Heating team is happy to make product recommendations if you’d prefer to go that route.

How do I decrease the humidity?

Air conditioners reduce the humidity level in our homes. When air cools, humidity drops. Considering Edmonton’s humidity, you might want to use an air conditioner as the weather warms to reach your ideal indoor levels. Here on the prairies, excessive humidity is really only an issue in the summer.

How can I conserve energy while keeping an optimal humidity?

The most important step when considering home humidity levels is regular maintenance. Scheduling routine assessments of your furnace, central air, and humidifier will guarantee they’re operating the way they should, without increasing your power bill.

Our expert technicians are just a phone call away! We can evaluate the conditions in your home, and work with you to discuss the perfect options for cooling, humidifying, and heating. Contact us today for more information about how we can help.

9 Ways to Raise Humidity in Your Home

The long winters in Alberta often find us cranking up the furnaces in our home. On the face of it are a warm house, nice fires, and cozy nights. However, the furnace running 24/7 can cause very dry air inside our homes due to extremely low humidity.

In this blog, we are going to cover some of the ways in which you can raise the humidity levels of your house. Methods to combat those aforementioned issues before they start.

What Are the Risks?

Having a low humidity level is not as great as you might expect, often leading to unforeseen issues caused as a result of the humidity falling to unmanageable levels. One issue that can be caused as a result of low humidity is the simple drying of the skin. As humans, our bodies don’t react well to dry environments, whether that be in the Sahara Desert or at home on our sofa. The effects of dry skin can sometimes be irritating and painful, cracks and sore spots appearing on our bodies, particularly our faces, heads, and hands. Low humidity can also dry out our eyes and inside our nose, leading us to be more susceptible to viral illnesses.

In addition to the negative health effects of low humidity, there are also ways that dry air can impact the contents of your home, and your home itself. Low humidity is especially hard on wood furniture and flooring, as it causes the boards to dry out, and possibly crack or separate. Too high of humidity can lead to issues like mold, mildew, and condensation on your windows. It’s best to find a nice balance between low and high humidity. The average household should be between 30%-50% humidity at any one time. Any less and we can run into the issues mentioned above.

9 Ways to Improve Humidity

House Plants

We will start with the ever-humble house plant. House plants are an excellent and environmentally healthy way to introduce moisture to your home. They work through a process called transpiration, essentially meaning they absorb water through their roots. As it travels up the plant it will be released back into the air, creating a slightly more humid climate, just don’t forget to water them frequently.

Showering

It may sound like the simplest solution, but it works. When you are having your shower or bath, there is always a level of moisture built up from the heat and water that condenses on the walls of your bathroom, so why limit it? When you hop in the shower, leave the bathroom door open and allow the moisture to circulate around the house.

Similar to the shower, if you are wanting to have a nice hot bath, it may be an idea to leave your bath water to cool on its own before pulling the plug. The water vapor created by the bath cooling is enough to give your home a little boost at the very least.

Drying Laundry

If you have a tumble dryer, it’s time to stop using it and invest in a drying rack. By hanging your washing next to the radiators, you are using the wet washing to essentially act as a humidifier, without the humidifier. As the washing dries the water will evaporate into the air, causing the air to become more humid, a great solution to two problems you could say.

Water-Based Oil diffusers

So, these are kind of similar to normal diffusers. They essentially work by mixing a couple of drops of essential oils in a base mix of water. There is an element inside the diffuser which, well, diffuses the water into vapor. The advantage of these is that you are releasing the vapor directly into the room, giving the room a fantastic amount of humidity whilst it also smells amazing. Most certainly an option to try.

Buckets on Heaters

Well, not literally buckets, however, you can go ahead and place bowls, cups, mugs, and glasses on radiators and other heat sources. This will cause the water in the vessels to evaporate into the air, leading to the humidity in the room rising.

Bear in mind that in order to make this effective, the more containers you put out, the more the humidity will rise.

Flowers in Windows

This is a slow burn method and should only be used in conjunction with other methods on the list. Placing water in vases on windowsills can act as a double benefit. The flowers you place in them will release water from their leaves and the water will eventually evaporate from the glass vase, helping to keep your house suitably humid.

Cook More

If you have ever boiled a pan of potatoes, you will know how much time you spend afterward wiping down the surfaces and walls, trying to get the condensation dried up. Well, in this case, the condensation may be the remedy you have been looking for.

Instead of popping the lid on the pan, it may be best to leave it off and let the evaporating and boiling water be released into the air of your kitchen.

Use Your Dishwasher

If you are using a dishwasher at home, you could be surprised at the level of humidity it kicks out. Once the wash has run its cycle, try opening up after the wash cycle and allowing your dishes to air dry.

Humidifier

This almost goes without saying as the most effective method, if you want to get extra humidity in your house, get a humidifier. You may consider small, portable humidifiers for single rooms, but you will find they use a lot of energy and you will be constantly filling the water compartment to sustain the level of humidity that your home requires. The most effective humidifier is one that is tied into your furnace itself, so the humidity circulates throughout the entire home as long as the fan is running on your furnace.

There are many available humidifiers, and our specialists can help you choose the right one for your home size and the level of humidity it requires.

Summary

We have gone over a number of different methods that you can use in order to improve the amount of humidity in your house. It’s important to consider your indoor humidity levels and the risks you take by not correcting these.
If you face air that is too dry or too damp, our professional plumbers will conduct an indoor humidity test and evaluate the current equipment you have in your home. Sometimes all that is needed is a simple repair or adjustment to the settings on your existing humidifier. Other times you may require a humidifier replacement. Give the experts at Always Plumbing & Heating a call, and we will be sure to help you find the best solution to your indoor humidity problems.

What Does “Home Comfort” Truly Mean?

You may have heard our jingle on the radio or seen our motto online, but when we say “We Want to Bring You Comfort”, what does that truly mean? By comfort, we mean home comfort, which is extremely important to your overall happiness and health. Many will agree that there is nothing worse than coming home from work in the winter only to have to pile on wool socks, sweaters, and blankets because their home is cold and drafty. Or, in the summer with days so hot that one may wrongfully assume they’re having hot flashes and their family can’t sleep with blankets on, let alone get much sleep at all. Home comfort technology fixes these nuisances by creating and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment in your home. The best equipment will adjust to extreme temperature fluctuations and keep you and your family comfortable season after season. Home comfort involves utilizing technology that delivers the best in temperature, humidity, and air quality.

Temperature

The average homeowner spends a lot in household energy, and some of this cost is to heat and cool their homes. Energy consumption and costs vary based on where you live, the length of the heating or cooling season, the age and structure of your home, and the type of mechanical equipment that you have. To maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, it is not only important to make sure that your home has adequate insulation and windows, but also to ensure that your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment is efficient, maintained, and replaced when needed. Some key points to remember regarding temperature and home comfort are:

Ideal indoor temperature – Keeping your indoor temperature between the range of 20-22 degrees celsius is optimal. This may need to be slightly higher if you have seniors or infants in the home. While you are away the temperature can be reduced to 18 degrees celsius.
Smart thermostats – Utilizing a smart thermostat will allow you precise temperature control during the heating and cooling season. Many smart thermostats, such as the Google Nest, will recognize your patterns, will adjust the temperature accordingly when you leave or come home, and will send you reports on your energy use and energy savings. Read more about the benefits of smart thermostats.
Equipment tune-ups – It is strongly recommended to have your furnace and air conditioner professionally inspected and serviced no less than once per year. An improperly maintained HVAC system is linked to higher energy consumption, more frequent breakdowns, emergency repairs, and premature replacement of your entire system. Many manufacturer warranties are void if you neglect this important task. Don’t wait for equipment to fail before paying attention to it: Avoid being without heat in the middle of winter, or without cooling on the hottest summer days, by having your equipment professionally maintained.
Equipment replacement – As your furnace and air conditioner age, their energy consumption increases. Newer technology is more energy-efficient. When it is recommended to replace your furnace or air conditioner, it is best to do so before waiting for it to break down completely. This will ensure continual home comfort (and energy savings) for you and your family.

Humidity

The level of humidity in your home can certainly affect your home comfort. Your home should have a humidifier attached to its furnace, and it should be set accordingly to obtain ideal humidity levels. This is an important discussion to have with your furnace technician at the time of your annual maintenance appointment. A home that is too dry or too humid can lead to many issues for your family including the following:

Health problems – nose bleeds, dry skin, and sinus problems can all be triggered by dry air. These problems tend to get worse in winter months when our furnaces are running more often.
Damage to your home – Wood furniture and flooring can become damaged by a home that is too dry. If you notice new spaces between your floorboards or splintering and cracking of your floors or wood furniture, you most certainly have a low-humidity problem. Alternatively, if your home is too humid (less common in Alberta climate), you may notice excessive condensation on your windows, damage to your wall, and mould or mildew problems.

Air Quality

Air pollutants like mould, fungi, bacteria, and dust mites can get into your home’s central ventilation and cause problems to your home comfort and ultimately to the health and wellness of your family. You can protect your indoor air quality in a number of ways:

Ventilation – Ensure the air is moving in your home by keeping your furnace fan running all the time. Your furnace filter will then trap larger contaminants and prevent them from recirculating.
Upgraded air filters – You may consider upgrading your furnace filters to a HEPA system to trap smaller particles and reduce air contamination.
UV lights – If anyone in your family has health issues, it is highly recommended to have a UV-C light installed on your central HVAC. A UV-C light system will purify your air 24 hours a day, destroying airborne viruses and bacterias.

Always Plumbing & Heating is dedicated to your comfort with true 24/7 service. We’re here to recommend ways that will not only make you more comfortable today but help you save money down the road. By offering you state-of-the-art solutions, committing our team to continuous training, and helping you take care of the equipment you already have, it adds up to fewer repairs and non-stop comfort, season after season. “We want to bring you comfort”, not only in your home but in the service we provide.

Next time you face a heating or plumbing concern, reach out to the expert plumbers and home comfort technicians at Always Plumbing & Heating.

You can call on us anytime. Yes. ANY time. That’s why our name is ALWAYS.

Call us at 780-489-8118 today to get started.

Controlling Household Condensation in Winter

If your windows inside collect moisture and ice during the cold snaps, you may have a humidity problem. Managing your home humidity levels can be a difficult task during the winter months. If your humidity is too high in relation to the temperature outside, you will end up with condensation on your windows, which can damage the windows, the casing, and the drywall. This can also lead to mold and mildew problems within your home, which are harmful to your health.

Simple Tips To Control Condensation

Run the furnace fan continuously.
When you are cooking, turn on the kitchen fan a few minutes before your start, and leave it on for a few minutes afterward.
When you are boiling or simmering water, cover pots to reduce the steam.
Turn your bathroom fan on before you shower, and leave it on for a while after you are done.
Check that your dryer vent is installed correctly and routed to outside, without any holes or leaks in the venting. Ensure that you’re dryer trap is emptied after each load of laundry.
Open curtains and shutters, open them so that they do not trap moisture between them and the window.
Cover and shrink wrap your windows with plastic.
Reduce the number of indoor house plants that you have, as plants increase humidity levels.
Set your furnace humidifier at the recommended level based on current outdoor temperatures. Check out our guide for managing home humidity during extreme cold weather.

Following these steps should reduce condensation on your windows. If you try these steps and continue to have humidity buildup on your windows, consider contacting Always Plumbing & Heating to help you determine what the problem is and how to address it.

Indoor Humidity Issues During Extreme Cold Weather

If your windows inside collect moisture and ice during the cold snaps, you may have a humidity problem. Managing your home humidity levels can be a difficult task during the winter months.

How To Set The Humidity In Your Home

Indoor humidity recommendations change during temperature extremes based on how cold it is outside. If the outside temperature is between 0°C to -10°C, the indoor humidity should be between 25% – 30%; between -10°C to -20°C, the humidity should not exceed 20%, outside temperatures colder than -20°C should not exceed an indoor humidity of 15%.

Installing a Smart Thermostat in your home allows you to assess and change your humidity any time with the touch of a button. To prevent costly repairs, your humidifier should be inspected by a certified technician annually along with your furnace to ensure it is working as intended and to look for any signs of corrosion or leaking.

Here at Always Plumbing & Heating, we can help you manage your indoor humidity simply and efficiently. To schedule an inspection or request a service call to install your new Smart Thermostat, call us at 780-489-8118 or contact us.

Our technicians can service your existing humidifier, or replace it with a more efficient model, complete with user-friendly controls to allow you to easily adjust humidity levels as the outside temperatures change.

Benefits of a Room Humidifier in Your Edmonton Home

An often-overlooked problem during our harsh Edmonton winters is the effect of dry air in a home. Dry air can contribute to a number of issues that directly affect a household. Sinus problems, nose bleeds, dry skin and static electricity are just a few of the negative effects. While many might view these as common problems associated with winter, it’s the dry air that is the main culprit (a byproduct of the season). A good way to combat the dry air in your home, and minimize its negative effects, is with a room humidifier.

While some homeowners might opt for a whole house humidifier, which is installed directly into the duct work of a central air system, a room humidifier is a cost-effective way to achieve the same goal on a less invasive platform. Also referred to as portable humidifiers, these units come in a variety of different sizes and designs and offer a high level of moisture control in a specific area. For years they were thought of primarily as a vehicle for keeping newborns healthy in cold weather. But in the last couple of decades they have become an essential tool for ensuring the health of entire households.

Recent studies have concluded that higher humidity levels (by at least 43%) can help reduce the “infectivity of influenza virus particles released by coughing.”* Getting a room humidifier for specific rooms in the house will not only help with colds and asthma problems, it will help promote softer skin and keep wood furniture and accents from cracking.

The benefits of a room humidifier include:

Sinus Relief: One of the worst effects of dry air is the drying out of your sinuses. Not only does this cause irritation and nose bleeds, it can lower your resistance to viruses. Sleeping with a room humidifier can dramatically improve the dryness associated with low humidity.

Reduced Infections: The bacteria that causes viruses is greatly impeded with humidity. If you have children in your home, it is strongly recommended that you keep their rooms humidified at night. It will help them sleep and greatly cut down the risk of getting the flu this season.

Healthier Skin: The dry winter air can cause a variety of skin problems. While dry, irritated skin might seem like a minor nuisance, it is a precursor to several potentially dangerous problems. Constant scratching can cause open sores and infection. The dryness can promote flaky skin, dry patches and accelerate wrinkles and other signs of aging. Adding humidity to the air will help bypass these problems and keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

Improved Sleep: Dry air can promote coughing, loud snoring and sinus agitation. These conditions can make it difficult to get a healthy night’s rest. A humidifier can alleviate these symptoms – and also provides a more comfortable environment for restful sleep. They have been essential for keeping infants healthy and comfortable for decades.

Houseplant Health: Indoor plants can be great for filtering out toxins in your home. But the low humidity can dry them out, especially the soil. Some people tend to over water them in this state, but that will only harm them further. A humidifier can ensure that your plants stay hydrated and healthy throughout the dry winter.

Reduced Static Electricity: These quick electric shocks that occur frequently in the winter are also byproducts of the dry air. Adding humidity to your home will keep the static electricity at bay.

Faster Healing: A humidifier can help you heal faster from colds during the winter. When your sinuses and throat are kept moist, they are better able to heal. A humidifier can ensure that the turn-around time for recovery is must faster.

Wood Protection: Many homeowners don’t realize that their wood furniture, doors and other structural accents can be severely damaged by the dry air. Wood can splinter, crack and break due to the loss of moisture. Introducing more humidity into the air can help reduce the effects of a dry winter.

Always Plumbing & Heating is a big proponent of healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). When the air inside your home is clean, clear and hydrated in the winter, the better it is for your home and family. If you need any help keeping your indoor air safe throughout the season, we have professionals who can recommend a variety of solutions to fit your home. Call us today at 780-489-8118 to schedule an appointment.

Boosting the Heat in Your Holiday Home

Call us at 780-489-8118 to learn more about winter plumbing and heating in Edmonton. You can also contact us online to reach our plumbers.

*Science Daily

Edited Photo Source by Bart Everson

Benefits of Whole Home Humidifiers

Making your home as comfortable as possible is the goal of most homeowners. From choosing interiors to selecting appliances, and heating and cooling our homes, comfort and an easier lifestyle are usually top-of-mind. As we reach the dead of winter in Edmonton, moving between the frigid outdoors, heated vehicles, and heated homes leaves many of us with uncomfortable, dry and itchy skin. Fortunately, whole home humidifiers can help restore the comfort in your home and provide relief from the dry air we are exposed to all winter long.

Advantages of Whole Home Humidifiers

If you are in Edmonton and want to make the air in your home more comfortable, consider installing a whole home humidifier. Here are just a few of the benefits it can offer you and your family:

Health – Viruses do well in dry environments, especially during flu season. Having dry, recycled air filter through your home all winter long can increase your risk of catching a cold, getting the flu, or exasperating other respiratory illnesses. Using a humidifier can help improve the air quality in your Edmonton home and reduce your risk of getting sick this winter.
Comfort – Rough and dry skin, brittle hair, chapped lips, sore throats, and runny noses that result from breathing in over-dry air for months can make your entire family and any company feel uncomfortable. Put down the moisturizer and stop treating the symptoms! Instead, deal with the source of the issue by installing a whole home humidifier.
Home Maintenance – Dry air not only takes a toll on our skin and respiratory systems, but also on the other furnishings and finishes in the home. Hardwood flooring, paint, furniture, artwork, instruments and electronics may be susceptible to damage if they are stored in an environment with over-dry air for an extended period of time. If your skin is responding to the air quality in your home, your possessions will be as well.
Energy Efficiency – Turning up the heat won’t necessarily increase the comfort or warmth you feel in the home. Installing a humidifier can make changes in temperature more noticeable, allowing you to lower your thermostat while increasing your comfort, energy-efficiency and savings on your monthly heating bill.

Always Plumbing & Heating can help to make your home more comfortable and efficient this winter. Our team of heating experts in Edmonton can come in and install a whole home humidifier to your new or existing HVAC system. We offer a range of services, from plumbing to heating, boiler installation and furnace repairs, and can help you improve the air quality and comfort of your home.

If you face a heating concern, contact us in Edmonton today. Reach us at 780-489-8118 or contact us online.

Category: Humidity