Your home can feel warm during an Omaha winter but still feel uncomfortable. You may notice dry skin, static shocks, or a dry throat when you wake up. Turning up the heat won’t add the moisture your home needs.
Learning how HVAC affects indoor air quality can help you understand what’s happening. Your heating and air system moves air through your home and filters out some particles. With the right equipment, it can also help keep indoor moisture at a comfortable level.
How HVAC Affects Indoor Air Quality
Your system’s filter catches some dust and other particles as air moves through it. Changing the filter as directed helps air flow through the system. However, a clean filter won’t fix dry air.
Moisture also affects indoor air quality. Too little can leave your home feeling dry. Too much can cause water to collect on windows and leave surfaces damp. Keeping moisture balanced helps make your home more comfortable.
The Relationship Between Heating And Humidity
Relative humidity measures how much moisture the air holds compared with how much it can hold at that temperature. When you heat air without adding moisture, its relative humidity drops.
Your heating system usually doesn’t remove moisture from the air. Instead, it warms the air without adding water. This is why your house can reach the temperature you want but still feel dry. Raising the thermostat won’t fix that.
Why Indoor Air Becomes Dry During Winter
Cold air usually has less moisture than warm air. When it gets inside through open doors and gaps around windows, your heating system warms it without adding moisture. This makes the air feel dry.
During Omaha winters, drafts can keep bringing dry air into your home. Sealing gaps around windows and doors can help, but your home still needs ventilation for fresh air.
Signs Of Excessively Dry Indoor Air
You might first notice dry air when you touch a doorknob and get a static shock. Your clothes may cling together, or your skin may feel dry even when you use lotion.
Other signs include:
- Dry or cracked lips
- A dry nose or throat
- Static in blankets and clothing
- Gaps between wood floorboards
- Loose joints in wood furniture
These signs don’t always mean your air is too dry. Use a humidity monitor to check moisture levels in bedrooms and other rooms you use often. Checking several rooms gives you a better idea of the humidity throughout your home.
How HVAC Systems Manage Humidity
Your heating and air system affects moisture differently year-round. In summer, your air conditioning system removes some moisture while cooling the air. In winter, your home may need added moisture.
If you’re wondering how HVAC helps air quality, humidity control is one way. A humidifier adds moisture, while the filter catches certain particles. Each does a different job.
Whole-Home Humidifiers
A whole-home humidifier adds moisture to the air moving through your heating and air system. Your ducts carry this air throughout your home, helping with dryness in several rooms.
During humidifier installation, a technician chooses a unit that fits your home and system, then checks the water connection and controls. Regular cleaning and service help prevent buildup and keep it working properly.
Humidity Controls And Thermostat Integration
A humidistat measures moisture and tells the humidifier when to run. Some thermostats can also control humidity when paired with compatible equipment.
You may need to adjust the setting as outdoor temperatures drop. If water starts collecting on windows, you may need to lower it. A technician can explain which settings suit your home and how to adjust them during winter.
Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality with Thermal Services in Omaha, NE
Thermal has served homeowners since 1968. Our NATE-certified technicians can check your home’s humidity and explain your options, with upfront pricing.
Contact Thermal to schedule humidifier installation or indoor air quality services in Omaha, NE.
