By Jim Ellia on Dec 18, 2017 in Humidity |

Throughout the chilly winter months, you might notice the air inside your home seems much drier than normal as your furnace constantly works to keep everyone warm and cozy. This dry air can lead to a variety of problems, like itchy, dry skin, irritated sinuses and more instances of the flu or common cold in your household. The good news is that having a furnace is equipped with a humidifier can help keep the relative humidity levels constant, closer to the recommended 30 to 50 percent. Home Humidifier Problems – and How to Fix Them If your humidifier isn’t working properly, you’ll probably notice right away. When in doubt, it’s always better to call in the professionals to take a look, but here are five of the most common home humidifier problems and some troubleshooting tips to keep in mind: The humidifier is noisy. If your home humidifier is making more noise lately, it could be the fan motor bearings. Consult the manual for proper care and lubricate the bearings. Or, you might need to replace it altogether. It’s normal, however, to hear some water sloshing around or to hear the fan spinning as the humidifier works. A leaky home humidifier. First, check for the source of the leak. The humidifier is connected to your home’s water supply, so inspect all the connections to make sure all the tubes, valves and hoses are attached tightly. The plastic hoses can break down over time, so see if any components need replaced. Disconnect the power and check the reservoir, too, emptying it if necessary. The humidifier isn’t working effectively. If your home humidifier isn’t increasing the relative humidity levels to that recommended 30 to 50 percent, it’s possible it’s not the right size for your home. First, consult the manual for the specifications. If that’s not the problem, make sure all the doors and windows in your home are tightly closed, as well as the fireplace damper if you have one. Also, check to see if there’s anything blocking the humidifier, like drapery. You can also try disconnecting the power and cleaning the unit according to the manual. There’s a strange odor coming from the humidifier. This could be a sign...

By Jim Ellia on Dec 19, 2016 in Humidity |

There’s no way around it; the next few months we’re in for some chilly and potentially nasty weather here in Northeast Ohio. Spending time in the cold, dry air can lead to a variety of problems, too. For instance, you might find yourself getting sick more often or dealing with dry, itchy skin. This is why utilizing a humidifier can be extremely useful throughout the winter. 6 Benefits of a Home Humidifier A humidifier increases the amount of moisture in the air by releasing steam or water vapor. While most people associate humidity with hot, steamy summer days and feeling sticky or uncomfortable, in the wintertime, humidity actually provides a variety of benefits to your health, comfort and home. Some of these benefits include: Improve indoor air quality. Poor air quality is responsible for a variety of health and home comfort issues, and humidity levels play a key role in the air quality of your home. Decrease the risk for illnesses. When humidity levels are low, illnesses like the cold and flu are more common to occur. This is because dry air can reduce your resistance to the viruses and bacteria that cause them. Plus, in moist air, those viruses and bacteria can’t travel as well. Alleviate allergy and asthma symptoms. Dry air can irritate the sinuses and lungs and aggravate those with allergies and/or asthma. You might notice more sore throats, itchy eyes, and even bloody noises, too. Keep skin soft and smooth. Throughout the winter, as the moisture in the air decreases, the risk for dry, cracked skin increases. Even worse, dull or flaky skin can lead to accelerated aging, too. A home humidifier helps you maintain more supple, vibrant skin and smooth, un-chapped lips. Preserve your home’s appearance. Have you noticed your paint cracking or wallpaper peeling in corners? This could be due to dry air in your home. A humidifier also helps protect your wooden floors and furniture, keeping them from cracking or splitting. Plus, reduce the amount of electric shocks you get from static electricity when you turn on a light or reach down to pet your dog or cat! Save money. Finally, one of the best benefits of a home humidifier is the...

By Jim Ellia on Dec 7, 2015 in Humidity |

The constant running of our furnaces in the winter do a great job of keeping our homes warm and comfortable, but on the negative side all that heat can dry out the air. Most people think of humidity as something they only need to be concerned with in the summer on a hot, muggy day; however, the humidity levels inside our homes throughout the winter play a huge role in our overall comfort.  Dry air can dry out your nose and throat, causing respiratory problems and make you more susceptible to colds or the flu. Dry air also causes dry skin and lips, and even lots of static electricity! Tips for Increasing the Humidity Levels in Your Home The good news is that increasing home humidity levels isn’t really that difficult- or expensive- to do. A relative humidity level of between 30-50% is what the experts recommend keeping your home at at all times. Here are just a few ways you can make sure your home is comfortable throughout these cold months when your furnace is constantly running: Purchase a humidifier. There are several different types of humidifiers to choose from; those that humidify your entire home by being installed into the ductwork next to your furnace, or smaller humidifiers that only affect the humidity levels in one room. These smaller humidifiers help increase the humidity levels in your home by releasing a warm, clean mist in the air. As a bonus, they’ll also help keep the room warmer. These can be especially helpful in the bedroom to ease breathing overnight. Line-dry your laundry. Every little bit of added moisture in the air helps, even if it’s coming from damp clothing. Hang clothing after it’s gone through the washing machine or handwashing on racks or hangers in your home. Plus, by not using your dryer as much you’ll save on your energy bills, too! Place bowls of water around the house. This might not be too effective if you have children who might dump the water, or pets who might drink it, but if you can, place shallow bowls of water in various places throughout your home, usually near a heating vent. Moisten the air with a spray bottle....

By Jim Ellia on Nov 20, 2013 in Cleveland, Humidity, Indoor Air Quality |

Do you use a humidifier in your home? Humidifiers are typically used to make forced air homes more comfortable, especially in the winter time. Using a humidifier in your home can relieve the physical discomforts of dry nose, throat, lips, and skin.  It can also help those who suffer from asthma or eczema. But if your home is too dry from winter heating, then you might encounter static electricity, peeling wallpaper, and cracks in paint and furniture in your home. What is the ideal humidity level?   The ideal humidity level for health and comfort is between 40 and 50 percent, depending on the temperature outside.  Low levels of humidity in the winter can contribute to a sense of discomfort, while higher levels may result in a clammy, damp feeling and can cause mold formation. You can get an accurate humidity reading in your home by buying a hygrometer and following the manufacturer’s directors. A good guideline to follow is based on outside air temperature. If it is above 50°F outside, your indoor humidity should not be over 50 percent. If it is above 20°F outside, your indoor humidity should not be over 40 percent. If it is between 10 and 20°F outside, your indoor humidity should not be over 35 percent. If you add more moisture into the air than is needed, you may start to see fog form on your windows or condensation on the window sills.  Over time, the water can destroy woodwork and you run the risk of growing mold. Keeping your humidity at the proper levels will keep your home safe, comfortable, and protect it from unnecessary damage. If you have questions about your humidifier, give us a call at...