Heating

“Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, measured as the amount or degree of moisture in the air.” (Your Dictionary)

In the Plainfield area, the great Midwest, we fight all summer to remove the humidity from our homes to keep cool. But once the cold temperatures arrive the humidity plummets.

Where Did the Humidity Go?

Cold air isn’t able to hold as much moisture as warm air can, making it more likely for moisture in your home, in your nasal passages or mouth and on your skin to quickly evaporate into the air. This makes for drier skin and a dry environment.

Why Does Low Humidity Matter?

While humid air can cause a number of problems, lack of humidity causes a host of issues as well.

Dry air makes it easier for allergens and bacteria to spread through your home. Your respiratory system is coated with fluid to protect you from airborne irritants, however dry air can thin the fluid and make it easier for your airways to become irritated or infected.

Cold temperatures combined with dry indoor air can cause:

  •  Coughing/Dry/Sore Throat.
  •  Runny nose.
  •  Flaky, itchy skin.
  •  Feeling thirsty or tired.
  •  Increased respiratory (asthma) symptoms.

Worst of all, dry air can make it easier for the flu or other viruses to spread.

Do You Need a Humidifier?

A hygrometer (purchased at any home store or online) can be used to measure the level of humidity in your home. The general recommendation for humidity is between 30 to 40%. This is the ideal level to keep your home warm in the winter.

However, the best indicator of needing a humidifier is your personal comfort. If you experience dry and itchy skin, feel tired all the time, have nosebleeds, or just feel uncomfortable in your home a humidifier may worth considering.

In addition to health problems, dry air can also cause property damage. Dry air can harm wooden furniture, hardwood flooring, or other personal items that can be ruined if they get too dried out.

How is Humidity Added to a Home?

There are several options when using a humidifier in your home. There are portable units that can be placed in specific rooms and also whole-house units that will provide moisture to all rooms in your home.

Don’t over-humidify your home, it is important to find the proper moisture balance for optimal comfort and health.

At TR Miller Now we offer several options in whole-home humidification. We can help you select the right unit and install it for you. See our home humidification products and call us for a free estimate and have optimal moisture levels this winter!

Author

  • brian sloan headshot

    Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.

    TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

    Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.

    That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.

    Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.

    That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
    Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.

    Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.

    Credentials & Affiliations:
    - President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
    - Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
    - Board Member, Nexstar Network
    - Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
    - Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
    - Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller
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