Posts Tagged ‘Humidity’

Effects of Too-Dry Air

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

The evidence of air that is too-dry is easy to identify.  In addition to making one feel uncomfortable, the dry air “steals” moisture from plaster, wood, glue and fabrics.  Over a period of time this can result in cracks in ceilings and walls, loose furniture joints and flooring, shrinking mouldings and loosened wallpaper.  Excessive static electricity is still another problem.

Relative Humidity

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Relative Humidity is the percentage of water vapor the air is holding, in relation to the amount it is capable of holding at a given temperature.  The relative humidity (RH) figure you hear on radio and TV is the outdoor RH.  During the heating season the indoor RH is very low in comparison to the outdoor percentage.

Introduction to Humidification

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Humidification is the process of adding moisture to the air is one of the most important aspects of total indoor comfort, yet it is one of the least understood.  One reason is that humidity is an intangible.  It can’t be seen, touched, or smelled.  It has no color or sound.  But its presence, when properly controlled, offers many proven benefits.  Humidification during the heating season not only adds to human comfort, but it helps to protect your home and its furnishings from the harmful effects of air that is too dry.  In addition, it reduces undesirable wintertime static electricity.

Minimal Maintenance Humidifier

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

To maintain the performance of a portable unit, you must continually monitor the tank levels and clean and fill them regularly. A whole-home system is installed out of your living space as part of your heating system, providing quiet operation without the messy tank. And, Aprilaire’s Automatic Digital Control provides all of the information necessary for easy maintenance.

Mold

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Mold can thrive in any place where there’s an excess of moisture (e.g., humidity in the air, condensation on windows or water leaks) and presence of organic material (e.g., natural carpet fibers, drywall or wood).

Humidifiers

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Turning your temperature up in the wintertime will keep you warm but won’t increase your home’s humidity level. Daily activities such as showering, cooking and doing laundry don’t produce enough moisture to keep your home’s air from being too dry. According to medical experts, many viruses thrive in low humidity increasing the likelihood of catching colds, flu and upper respiratory ailments. The American Society of Otolaryngology even reports that it is important to prevent an overly dry environment because it makes people more susceptible to infection.

Unhealthy Air and Humidity

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Viruses thrive in low humidity conditions and can actually increase the likelihood of getting colds, flu and other upper respiratory ailments.  The American Society of Otolaryngology advises the importance of preventing an overly dry environment because it significantly increases susceptibility to infection.

Dry Air Costs Money

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Dry air robs the moisture from your skin, making you feel colder, which means you turn up the heat.  Dry air also shrinks the framing around doors and windows, resulting in gaps that let in the cold air from the outside, making your home less energy efficient.

Green Comfort with Humidifiers

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Whether you’re updating your home to be more healthy, energy-efficient and sustainable or you’re building a new green-certified home, Aprilaire offers a complete line of innovative products designed to improve the quality of indoor air.  Whole-house humidifiers help prevent premature aging of your home’s structure, provide optimum comfort and can protect respiratory systems against viruses and bacteria.  Humidity control helps qualify your home for the Green-Built Certification Program of the National Association of Home Builders.

Damage to Your Home

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

When heated air isn’t properly humidified, it causes walls and ceilings to crack and wood floors and trip to separate.  Expensive musical instruments can go out of tune and electronic equipment can fall victim to static electric charges, requiring expensive repair or replacement.