Why do I Need a Humidifier?

A humidifier is a device that emits water vapor to increase the humidity in your home and battles the symptoms associated with cold weather. Cold weather can wreak havoc on your respiratory system, but it can also damage your wooden furniture or musical instruments.

A humidifier combats all of these things by reintroducing the needed moisture into the air in your home.  It can provide relief for chest congestion or sinusitis, heal chapped skin, help heal colds and allergies faster, and it can even prevent nosebleeds and snoring. 

What are the benefits of a humidifier?

• Humidity allows the tiny hairs that are in your nose to move and do their job correctly, which is to filter out bacteria and viruses so that they don’t enter your respiratory system.  A humidifier adds humidity to the air in your home, providing welcome moisture during the cold winter months.  

Outside Temperature	Humidity
20°F to 40°F	40%
10°F to 20°F	35%
0°F to 10°F	30%
-10°F to 0°F	25%
-20°F to -10°F	20%
-20°F and below	15%

• A humidifier can soothe your cold and flu symptoms by irrigating your nasal passages and throat and bronchial tubes.

• It helps to moisturize your skin.

• It can reduce snoring.

• Low humidity can cause cracking in wood.  A humidifier can protect your furniture and wooden instruments.  

On the flip side, too much humidity can cause mold growth and promote dust mites.  A hydrometer is a device use to measure relative humidity levels in a room.  The recommended humidity as studied by the University of Minnesota, is 35-40%.  There are guidelines for houses in lower temperatures in the attached table.

Do not hesitate to contact us for all your humidifier needs.  Call Ben’s Heating & Air Conditioning today at 503-233-1779 or request service online.