What Are Common Causes of Dry Air in Homes & How to Fix It?
Winter is often synonymous with dry hands and dry air in your home. Constant exposure to dry air may lead to dry skin, sinus irritation, and wood furniture drying out to the point that it cracks. If you're experiencing any of these issues, it's time to examine the underlying causes.
To help, our experienced team at Advantage Air HVAC has created a list of common reasons for dry air in Lexington, KY, homes and how to fix them to make your space comfortable again.
What Causes Dry Air in Homes?
Humidity decreases in winter because cold air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air. This dry air can become an issue in homes during the colder months, although other factors can contribute to lower household humidity.
Here are the three leading causes of dry air in houses:
1. Extended Furnace Use
Lexington's cold winters can mean your heating system runs for extended periods throughout the day. Even though furnaces can keep your home warm, they’re the leading cause of stripping moisture from the indoor air.
However, the heat created by the furnace isn't drying out the air. Most furnaces draw on indoor air for combustion, creating an air deficit in the house. This deficit is balanced by air moving from outside to inside. Since this outdoor air is colder, it’s drier and will decrease the home's humidity.
2. Poor Ventilation
Even though modern building standards have created more tightly sealed and better-insulated homes for energy efficiency, inadequate ventilation can trap dry air inside. If moist air can’t balance the dry air inside, your home's dryness will worsen.
3. Weather and Climate
As air temperature decreases and humidity levels drop, drier air will enter your home through leaks around doors and windows. Combined with the drier air being pulled in from the heating system, you have the perfect scenario for uncomfortably dry air in your home.
How to Reduce Dry Air in Houses
As Central Kentucky's top heating and cooling repair experts, the team at Advantage Air HVAC recommends these top three proven solutions to fix dry air issues in your home:
1. Install a Whole-Home Humidifier
Even though portable humidifiers are easy to use and can improve air quality and humidity in bedrooms and smaller spaces that can be closed off with a door, we recommend installing a whole-home humidifier.
These humidifiers are connected to your HVAC system to monitor and maintain optimal moisture levels throughout your home.
2. Seal Air Leaks and Upgrade Insulation
Leaks around windows and doors are common as homes age. These leaks allow dry outdoor air to enter your home, decreasing humidity levels. Most homeowners update their caulking and weatherstripping to seal air leaks in their houses.
Additionally, upgrading or adding better insulation to your walls or attic can help keep the dry air out.
3. Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
A well-maintained HVAC system reduces energy costs, prevents major repairs, extends the system's life, and improves indoor air quality. Professional annual maintenance visits ensure your system runs optimally and humidity levels stay balanced.
The Advantage Air HVAC team provides full maintenance services to keep your HVAC system in top condition year-round.
Schedule Your HVAC Maintenance Near Lexington, KY
Are you tired of struggling with dry air in your home? Let our experts at Advantage Air HVAC help. Whether it's repairing components from your HVAC system, conducting annual maintenance, or installing the latest whole-home humidifier, we have the experience and technology to ensure your home is comfortable year-round.
Contact us online or call (859) 559-6409 to schedule your service today. Advantage Air HVAC is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and proudly serves surrounding communities like Georgetown, Paris, Winchester, and Frankfort.
