Should You Have a Winter Humidifier On in Your Home?

Cold winter weather can lead to dry indoor air as you run your heating system to stay warm. Should you put a winter humidifier in your Broken Arrow home to keep it from becoming too dry? Read on to learn more about whether or not investing in a winter humidifier is worth it during this time of year.

Lower the Risk of Illness

Dry air can make it easier for viruses and other germs to move around, while moist air has the opposite effect. Increasing the humidity in your home could make it harder for germs to thrive, which can help reduce your risk of getting sick. Since winter is cold-and-flu season, it’s a good idea to prevent too much dryness in your home in order to stay healthy.

Reduce Static Electricity

Dry air can cause your home to have a lot of static electricity. The shocks you get from this static can be unpleasant. In severe cases, static electricity can damage electronics in your home. Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can help decrease static electricity.

Prevent Wood Damage

When your home is too dry in winter, wood floors, doors, and other wooden structures can end up being damaged. Dry air can cause wood to crack or change size, making doors tough to open and floors creaky. Using a humidifier during winter can keep wood structures in your home in good condition.

Maintain Healthy Skin

Wintertime is associated with dry skin, especially for those who spend most of their time indoors. Heated air from furnaces or heat pumps can dry out your skin, which can lead to irritation. Having more humidity in your home in winter can help prevent dryness and keep your skin feeling healthier.

Have a More Comfortable Home

Using a winter humidifier in winter can create a more comfortable environment in your home. In fact, your home might feel warmer with higher humidity levels, so you won’t have to run your heating system as much.

If you need a winter humidifier to keep your Broken Arrow home feeling more comfortable this season, contact Air Assurance.

What You Need to Know About HVAC vs. Plumbing

On the surface, your HVAC and plumbing systems seem very different. One deals in air, the other in water. However, they also function together in your home and are connected in ways you might not realize. Here's a look at HVAC vs. plumbing in your home.

Moisture and Humidity

Both your plumbing and HVAC systems have to handle a lot of moisture, and they're designed to keep it contained. A leaking pipe in your bathroom causes not just water damage but higher humidity. Your HVAC system reduces humidity as it heats or cools the air, but if you have plumbing problems, the system might not be able to get rid of all the excess moisture. This then leads to bacteria, mold, mildew, and other problems in your home.

Meanwhile, as your plumbing is dealing with humidity issues, your HVAC system may have to deal with clogged or leaking pipes. Your AC creates a significant amount of moisture as it cools the air. That moisture must then be drained.

Most AC condensate drain lines are separate from your plumbing system, but some are connected. Without proper maintenance, the drain line can become clogged over time, causing leaks and water damage, just like a plumbing leak. For this reason, you should clean your drain line periodically.

Service and Repair

When it comes to HVAC vs. plumbing, the other major similarity is in keeping them functioning properly. They're two very different jobs, which require very different learned skills. However, in looking for a skilled plumber or HVAC technician, the criteria are similar.

They should be certified in the specific work they're performing, particularly when it comes to installing new equipment. They should also be licensed, bonded, and insured, to protect you in case of any problems or damages. Finding someone you trust to do the work you need who ticks all these boxes is a difficult job. This is why many companies have technicians who will service both.

For help with both your HVAC and plumbing needs, contact us at Air Assurance. We keep Broken Arrow homes comfortable and efficient all year long.

Does Your Local Climate Impact the Kind of HVAC Equipment You Should Buy?

Choosing the right HVAC equipment is crucial for your comfort and for keeping your energy bills in check. Not all HVAC systems are created equal, and it's important to get the right one for the climate you live in, for both comfort and efficiency. Let's have a look at the climate's impact on your HVAC system. 

Climate and HVAC

The average summer or winter temperature of a region should always be considered when choosing an air conditioner or a furnace. For instance, if you live in Miami or along the Gulf Coast, you will not need the most efficient furnace. Likewise, those in the northern climes, where summers are not as long or as hot as in the South, won't need an air conditioner with top efficiency. In fact, today's extremely efficient HVAC systems feature a number of bells and whistles that may be superfluous for your climate.

Talk about climate impact with your HVAC consultant. Our Broken Arrow climate isn't the coldest or the warmest, although temperatures can occasionally plunge or peak. Your consultant can advise you about the level of efficiency that's best for your home. When shopping, look at the AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency ratings) for furnaces, and the SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the AC. Because our summers are generally not that long or that hot, you may not need a top SEER. Likewise with furnaces. AFUEs of 80% to 85% are mid-efficiency ratings, while high-efficiency units rate between 90% and 97% AFUE. Obviously, the more efficient the unit, the more you will pay when you buy it.

Humidity

High humidity also affects comfort and efficiency, and Oklahoma can be very humid during the summer, when the south wind brings moisture in from Texas. Remember that high humidity is a factor in climate impact in that it makes your AC work harder to cool your home. When discussing climate impact during your next HVAC installation, ask about how to compensate for excessive moisture.

To learn more about climate's impact on HVAC equipment, contact Air Assurance.

Factors Affecting Home Comfort

Differing factors account for your home comfort in the summer and the winter. Let's take a look at some of the things you should be paying attention to now as the long, hot summer proceeds so that you can maximize your comfort without your utility bills going through the roof.

Humidity

Humidity is one of the major factors affecting comfort in the summertime. When your home's relative humidity exceeds 50-55 percent, you will experience difficulty cooling off, as moist air inhibits the evaporation of perspiration on our skin and its subsequent "wind chill" effect. Humid conditions in the home's interior may occur for a number of reasons, such as these:

• Ceiling and plumbing leaks

• Air conditioner not dehumidifying properly (dirty air filters and condenser coils may contribute to this)

• Activities such as cooking, showering, clothes washing and drying

• Poor or no exhaust ventilation

You can lower humidity by fixing leaks, changing filters and having coils cleaned, limiting moisture-producing activities and installing exhaust ventilation.

Temperature Control

If your air conditioner isn't in good working order, it may not increase your comfort to keep turning the thermostat down, down, down. Many factors can be at play when an A/C doesn't cool, among them:

• A/C is wrong size.

• Air filter is dirty.

• Ductwork is poorly designed, or may be leaking air.

• A/C refrigerant is leaking.

While you can change the filter regularly, fixing the other situations may be more challenging -- particularly getting the right size A/C. Whenever it's time to replace your A/C, make sure it's neither too large nor too small.

Air Quality

You may not be that aware of your home's indoor air quality, but a summertime accumulation of airborne pollutants, such as pollen, pet dander, chemical particulates, dust mites, dust and mold can actually make you sick. Switch to a good quality, pleated air filter (rated MERV -- minimum efficiency reporting value -- 8-12) in your HVAC system and vacuum often with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter.

For more on home comfort, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow. We've provided quality products and service in the Tulsa area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Can Indoor Humidity Affect Your Energy Bills?

The level of indoor humidity in your home makes a big difference in your comfort and it will affect your energy bills. Humidity drives the “feels like" temperature, which is how your body perceives it versus the actual temperature as measured on a thermometer. The amount of water vapor in the air makes people feel warmer or cooler, regardless of the temperature.Humans use evaporation to cool their bodies and when there’s less humidity in the air, water evaporates faster. When the humidity is higher, evaporation occurs more slowly. You’re much more likely to be comfortable on a hot day with low humidity compared to a warm day with high humidity.

Managing Humidity in the Home

Ideal indoor humidity levels range between 30 and 50 percent year-round. The most efficient way to manage humidity includes central humidifiers and dehumidifiers. They attach to the air handler and will either increase or lower water vapor levels.Both operate automatically using humidistats, similar to thermostats, to keep humidity levels comfortable and healthy throughout the home. These systems require little maintenance and use less energy than using portable humidifiers or dehumidifiers.You can also achieve lower humidity in the summer by:

• Using kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans to remove excess water vapor.

• Running ceiling fans to increase comfort by evaporating skin moisture faster, although they won’t change the air temperature.

• Verifying the clothes dryer vents outdoors.

• Using dehumidifiers in unconditioned basements.

Increase humidity in the winter by avoiding the use of the kitchen and bathroom fans and supplementing it with indoor plants, simmering water on the stove, or using portable humidifiers or vaporizers.

The Benefits

The primary benefits of managing humidity levels are greater health and comfort along with lower cooling and heating bills. In the summer, lowering the level reduces cooling costs and in the winter, increasing it trims heating bills. Your health and that of your home also improve when the humidity stays between the recommended ranges.To learn more about indoor humidity and maintaining a healthy level, contact the pros at Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for the Broken Arrow region.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about humidity and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

A Guide to Managing Humidity Levels by the Season

Along with warming weather there comes an increased concern about higher humidity levels in the home. When the humidity rises much above 50 percent, we feel more uncomfortable. Higher humidity prevents perspiration from evaporating on our skin and cooling us off, so we tend to lower the thermostat in order to feel cooler. That means you're paying higher utility bills than you need to.Your air conditioner will help dehumidify your home, as long as it's in good running order and you keep the air filter changed. Read on for additional information on managing humidity levels in your home.

Tracking Your Home's Humidity Levels

Your home should have a relative humidity level within the range of 40-50 percent. It should be at the lower range in the summer, and at the higher range in the winter when the cold air holds less moisture. Cold, dry air tends to dry out our respiratory tracks, which can lead to respiratory infections, while triggering allergies and asthma attacks. Cold, dry air also accounts for more annoying static in the air, which at worst can damage sensitive electronics.To keep track of your home's humidity levels, buy an inexpensive hygrometer at the home convenience store.

Adjusting Humidity Seasonally

If your home tends to be too damp in the summer or too dry in the winter, there are things you can do. Here are some of them.Winter: Boil pots of water on the stove; take longer showers and leave the bathroom door open; add plants to your home.Summer: Fix leaking plumbing; take shorter showers; sequester plants in one room or leaks in the ceiling. Also, change the air filter often so the air conditioner has good air flow; this will help the A/C remove moisture from the air better.Depending on the season, you may want to use a humidifier or dehumidifier. These come in portable models, but the whole-house models do the best job.For more on managing humidity levels, contact Air Assurance. We have served Broken Arrow and the surrounding area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about humidity and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

How to Control Static Electricity in Your Home

This time of year, static electricity in your home can cause painful shocks when you touch a light switch, a metal doorknob or another person, and make it difficult to separate laundry that's fresh from the dryer or even comb your hair. Even worse, these random electrical discharges can also permanently damage electronics and appliances, like your computer, TV, cell phone or microwave.

Why Static Electricity Occurs

Static electrical charges are created by the transfer of electrons when two materials come in contact. One ends up with a positive charge, and the other with a negative charge. Opposite charges attract, and when materials or objects with excess charges come close together, the extra electrons leap across the gap, and the charge is released with a jolt or shock.

Dry Vs. Humid Air and Its Effect on Static Electricity

Static electrical shocks tend to occur in the winter because the air is dry. Cold air doesn't retain moisture very well, and your heating system dries out your indoor air even more. When the air in your home is moist or humid enough though, water molecules collect on the surface of everything. Since water is a superb conductor, excess electrical charges can easily move between different materials without a jolt or shock.

Tips for Controlling Static Electricity

There are various ways to control static discharges to prevent discomfort and damage in your home:

• Wear clothing and socks made of natural fibers like cotton, and leather-soled shoes, because they pick up less static charge than synthetic materials.

• Spray diluted fabric softener or an anti-static product on your clothing, furniture and carpets to make the materials less conductive.

• Add some potted plants, and/or place containers of water in various spots around your home so water can evaporate into the air.

• Talk to your HVAC pro about installing a whole-house humidifier on your HVAC system so you can add a precise amount of humidity to the air circulating through your home in the wintertime.

To learn more about controlling static electricity in your Broken Arrow home with a whole-house humidifier, contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about home comfort and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.Credit/Copyright Attribution: “ErikaWittlieb/Pixabay”

How Low Humidity in Your Home Affects Your Health

When winter arrives and you need to run the heating system to stay warm and comfortable, the humidity in your indoor air can drop too low. This occurs because cold winter air doesn't hold moisture very well, and heating it makes the problem even worse. Excessively low humidity in your home can cause various health-related problems, such as:

• Dry eyes. The eyes produce tears to lubricate and flush out contaminants and irritants. In dry-air conditions, this vital liquid dries up too, which makes it easier for the eyes to become irritated or worse, infected.

• Respiratory issues. When you breathe air containing too little moisture, mucus membranes lining the respiratory and nasal passages dry out. This can cause sore throats, nose bleeds, chest congestion and coughing, and worsen conditions like allergies, asthma, COPD and chronic bronchitis.

• Dry skin. A lack of humidity also draws moisture out of the skin, leaving it uncomfortably itchy and scaly. Dry skin can also start to crack, which makes it more vulnerable to bacterial infections.

• Increased risk of illness. Certain bacteria and viruses thrive when the air is dry, which increases the likelihood of contracting the flu, colds and respiratory infections.

Solutions to Improve Low Humidity

Indoor humidity in the 30 to 50 percent range is ideal to prevent health problems related to dry air. Here are two reliable methods for boosting your indoor humidity levels:

• Room-size humidifiers. These plug-in units can hold one to several gallons of water. They're best used in a child's room or other bedroom to improve dry conditions and make sleeping more comfortable.

• Whole-home humidifiers. These house-size units are installed on the HVAC air handler and plumbed into the water supply so they fill automatically. They also have a humidistat control that can be placed in a spot where it's easy and convenient to adjust the setting. This ensures that an optimal amount of moisture gets added to the warm air coming from the furnace, so it's humidified before being distributed through the ducts.

For expert help solving low humidity problems in your Broken Arrow home, contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor humidity and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Natural Ways to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

If your home's air feels thick and you can smell a musty odor, you may have excess humidity in your home. If left unchecked, the excess moisture can cause mold growth, wood rot, and blistering or peeling of paint. So how can you reduce your home's humidity levels? Here are some natural solutions you can use:

Ventilate

Ventilation increases airflow and helps lower humidity levels. Install fans that duct to the outside in your bathroom and kitchen. If you already have vent fans, ensure you switch them on and leave them running longer.

Reduce Shower Time

Long showers can result in a buildup of moisture in your bathroom as well as the surrounding rooms. Taking shorter showers can help lower the moisture buildup in your home. You should also consider installing a low-flow showerhead.

Use Calcium Chloride or Kitty Litter

Placing bowls of calcium chloride or kitty litter around your home can help reduce humidity by absorbing some moisture from the air. Make sure you replace them every few weeks.

Reduce Houseplants

While a few houseplants can make your home healthier, too many of them can increase the moisture levels. Reduce the moisture these plants add to your indoor air by moving some of them outside. You can also cover the soil around the plants to prevent its moisture from escaping into your home's air.

Make Repairs

Inspect the exterior of your house for defects. Water leaks may contribute to high humidity levels. Fix any loose roof shingles and flashings and keep the gutters clear. Waterproof concrete basement walls. Seal around the areas where your walls meet the ceiling and flooring.

By taking these steps to lower humidity levels, you'll feel more comfortable at home and save money too due to reduced energy bills. To learn more about eliminating excess moisture and any other home comfort issues, please contact us at Air Assurance. We've been helping homeowners in the Broken Arrow area with their HVAC and plumbing needs since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about reducing humidity and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “coyot/Pixabay”