After a weekend of unseasonably warm Labor Day temperatures it is difficult to think about preparing for colder weather. The fact of the matter is, however, the cold days and nights of fall and winter will be here before you know it. And while hot temperatures in the midwest come with high percentages of humidity, cold weather brings the exact opposite. Cold, dry weather that is complicated by the dry heat of furnaces in homes can lead to static electricity and drying conditions for wood trim and leather furniture. For many, winter is a much about turning on the humidifiers (used during heating season) as it is about firing up the furnace.
What many people think of as humidifiers used in the summer are actually dehumidifiers. when the air conditioning is running and the outside humidity is high dehumidifiers help pull the moisture out of the air. Some work so well, in fact, that the water reservoir tanks actually have to be emptied several times during the day. Humidifiers (used during heating season) serve the exact opposite purpose. Working in conjunction with a furnace they add moisture to already dry air. So essential in some parts of the country, humidifiers (used during heating season) are often built into the newer heating and cooling systems.
Temperature control is a major part of the electricity that is used in America. Both commercial and residential air conditioning and heating units, in fact, combine for as much as 43% of monthly utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. And while as many as two of every three homes in America have air conditioning, many of these cooling units are old and inefficient. As a result, upgrading your home or business to a high-efficiency systems may make you eligible for rebates from local utility companies. In some locations, making this upgrade can qualify you for as much as a $400 rebate.
Consulting the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions, as well as asking the advice of a certified HVAC technician, can give you specific guidelines as to when a humidifier or a dehumidifier should be activated. Understanding the conditions for when the best times are for adding moisture or removing moisture from your home is essential to providing your family with the most comfort. Although some home owners think that they can tell the humidity levels in their home according to the amount of moisture on the inside of windows in the coldest months, a more detailed guide is included with the unit itself.