If you have friends from other parts of the country, you may get asked this often: “How do you stand the heat out there?” They see that the temperature is above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months, and they wonder how we do it. Our common response is, “It’s a dry heat!” It’s the unofficial slogan for people who live in a desert climate.
The truth is that our climate has a lower heat index, which allows our bodies to feel cooler than they would in climates that have a higher heat index. So, a summer’s day in Palm Springs with low humidity feels a lot more comfortable than a summer’s day in the swampy climate of Florida, for instance.
Nevertheless, around-the-clock exposure to dry heat has several negative effects on both the body and the home that you may need to address.
The Drawbacks of Dry Heat
Dry heat can lead to dry skin, cracked lips, and itchy, watery eyes. It can dry out the sinuses, too—worsening allergies and infections, and aggravating the respiratory system. These are all obvious consequences, since we feel them directly.
There are also consequences of dry heat that you may not immediately realize. Dry air inside the home steals moisture from wherever it can, including the floors, walls and furniture, which can cause cracks and permanent damage. Over time, you may notice that wooden doors aren’t fitting in their frames, chair legs are wobbly, and there are gaps in between the floorboards. Dry heat can also lead to a buildup of static electricity inside the home.
Fortunately, you can take several steps to add moisture back into the home environment.
DIY Tips for Humidifying Your Home Naturally
There are several ways to naturally add moisture to your indoor air at little to no cost, including:
- Keep live plants in your home. When a plant is watered, moisture travels from the roots to the pores of the leaves in a process called transpiration. This moisture will be released back into the room.
- Place a pot of water near your heat source. When temperatures drop at night, you may have a radiator or space heater operating in the room. Place a bowl of water near the heat source. As the water heats up, it will evaporate and add moisture into the air.
- Allow clothes and dishes to dry naturally. There’s something to be said for air-drying! It will cut down on your energy bill and add moisture back into the room.
- Decorate with water. Whether it’s an indoor fountain or vases with rocks and water left on sunny windowsills, the effects are both natural and esthetic.
Depending on the size of your home and the effect that you’re anticipating, equipment that operates hand-in-hand with your HVAC system may be a more suitable option for returning moisture to the indoor air.
Consider a Humidifier
Homeowners in cold climates may use portable humidifiers near their bedrooms or other rooms where they spend a lot of time during the winter. For those of us who experience dry indoor air year-round, a whole-home humidifier may be the best option for maintaining moisture levels, especially during the driest season of the year.
When properly installed, whole-home humidifiers distribute moisture evenly throughout each room, bringing relief to families and home furnishings. Proper humidification also allows HVAC systems to operate at peak performance.
Call the Humidifier Specialists at Timo’s
A whole-home humidifier must be installed directly into your cooling and heating system, and it operates with a hygrometer to measure the humidity level as the furnace warms it. It’s essential that this equipment is properly installed and calibrated, and that your system’s ductwork is ready.
Timo’s NATE-certified technicians will properly assess your home’s humidity, and then recommend the proper humidifier to restore your home’s optimal moisture level and eliminate the worry of dry air—for good!
To learn how you can maintain a proper balance of moisture in your Palm Springs home this season, call us today at 760-475-9542 or fill out our online form.
