The weather in Glenview, Illinois, is cold and snowy for more than half the year.
With the heating system blasting, the indoor air can become especially dry.
Insufficient humidity makes the air feel colder, encouraging higher thermostat settings. This adds to the demands on the furnace, accelerates wear and tear and can lead to expensive repairs. Plus, monthly energy bills are more expensive. Overly dry air can be blamed for itchy skin, persistent cough, constant sneezing, itchy eyes, sore throat and chapped lips. It dries out nasal passages, increases susceptibility to colds and flu and lengthens recovery times from illness. For anyone with eczema, psoriasis, asthma or allergies, low humidity aggravates symptoms. It also negatively impacts sleep. The recommended relative humidity level for the sleep environment is between 40 and 60%. In Glenview, our conditions fall way below the recommended level in the winter. I initially tried making an improvement with portable humidifiers. I found that these devices are a lot of work. I needed to make filling the reservoir part of my daily routine. I also was required to clean the humidifier constantly to avoid introducing bacteria and pathogens into our breathing air. Because we have hard water, I had to use distilled water in the humidifiers. I finally contacted an HVAC contractor in Glenview and invested into a whole-home humidifier. The accessory works to introduce necessary moisture into the air as it passes through the heating system. Because of it, I’ve been able to lower the thermostat settings and save money every month. It requires only annual maintenance from an HVAC contractor.