Spokane Valley experiences cold, damp winters, which means higher indoor humidity can become a problem. Excess moisture in your home may lead to mold growth, condensation, and added strain on your HVAC system. Understanding how winter humidity affects your home can help you maintain a healthier, more efficient indoor environment.
How High Humidity Affects Your Home
Our humidity generally peaks in December, with high moisture that can lead to several problems for your home and health, including:
- Warped Wood: Hardwood floors, furniture, and even structural elements can expand and warp due to damp air.
paint and wallpaper may start peeling. - Mold and Mildew Growth: Damp conditions create the perfect environment for mold, which can cause respiratory issues and damage your home’s structure.
- Dust Mites and Allergens: High humidity encourages dust mites, which can worsen allergies and asthma symptoms.
Humidity also captures pollutants that build up inside your house, negatively affecting your indoor air quality in ways that can contribute to issues like asthma and respiratory illnesses even more than in a home without as much moisture in the air.
The Connection Between Humidity and Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system plays a major role in controlling indoor humidity levels. When humidity is too high, it can lead to:
- An overworked heating system: Warm, humid air can feel clammy, making it harder to maintain comfort.
- Poor indoor air quality: Excess moisture traps airborne allergens and makes the air feel heavy and clogs your HVAC filters more quickly.
- Reduced efficiency: Your HVAC system will struggle more to regulate temperature and humidity levels properly.
How to Maintain Healthy Indoor Humidity
To combat the effects of winter dampness in Spokane Valley, it’s important to maintain proper humidity levels in your home. Using a whole-home humidifier can add the right amount of moisture to your indoor air, reducing strain on your HVAC system while improving comfort. Regular heating and AC maintenance, including filter changes and professional inspections, also helps your system run efficiently.
If you’re experiencing damp air in your home, we can help. At The Barton Boys, we provide expert HVAC services in Spokane Valley, including humidifier installation and indoor air quality solutions. Contact us today to improve your home’s comfort this winter!
