The air we breathe is vital for our health and well-being, but the quality of the air we inhale can vary greatly depending on our location and the time of year. In the Edmonton region, residents face long, harsh winters ...
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Wondering how to check the humidity level in your Edmonton home? Good news - it’s simple to do! You’ll just need one of two things:
If you want to check the humidity level in your home by hand, you’ll need a tool called a hygrometer. This tool can be purchased at your local hardware store for about $10 to $20.
To use a hygrometer to check the humidity in your home, simply place it in the room you want to check. It’s important to note that humidity levels won’t be consistent throughout your home - some rooms may have more or less humidity than others. Therefore, placing the hygrometer in a room you are concerned about or where your family spends most of their time is best. Also, ensure you don’t put your hygrometer near a heat source. For example, a radiator, heat register, chimney, etc.
Once the hygrometer is placed, wait up to two hours (it can take a couple of hours for the tool to get an accurate and stable reading).
If you have a humidifier in your home, it will have a built-in hygrometer. Therefore, you won’t need to buy a handheld tool. Instead, this internal hygrometer will automatically monitor and adjust the humidity level in your home, keeping your Edmonton home comfortable all year round.
When it comes to choosing a humidifier, Edmonton homeowners have two options:
Portable units are the cheapest option - they are easy to find and use and require no installation. However, most portable humidifiers can only maintain proper humidity levels in one or two rooms. As well, portable units require a lot of maintenance. This includes regularly filling the water reservoir and consistently cleaning the unit to maintain optimal air quality and minimize bacteria and viruses.
A whole-home system, although more expensive up front, requires much less maintenance and can maintain optimal humidity levels throughout your home.
For Edmonton homeowners, whole-home humidifiers (also known as furnace humidifiers or in-duct humidifiers) are the best option.
Whole home systems can be installed in residential homes with forced-air heating systems. These humidifiers use the air ducts and plumbing system to deliver consistent humidity levels. Best of all, once installed, a whole home humidifier will provide reliable home comfort without needing to lift a finger!
Some of the best whole-home humidifier brands in Edmonton include:
There are numerous benefits of professional installation of a whole home humidifier system.
First and foremost, a professional humidifier installation company, like ProSolutions Inc., will help you choose the correct size humidifier for your Edmonton home. Choosing the right size humidifier is essential. That’s because a humidifier that is too small will provide no real benefit. On the other hand, if a humidifier is too big, it will waste energy for no reason!
In addition to helping you pick the proper size humidifier for your home, a professional humidifier installation company will guarantee that your system is installed and calibrated properly for the local conditions. This will ensure maximum home comfort and optimal performance. As a result, your humidifier will run efficiently and effectively for years to come.
Furnace filters should be changed every three months. Regularly changing your filter will ensure the air quality inside your home, as well as the safety and comfort of you and your family. In addition, regularly changing the filter will ensure your furnace doesn’t overheat, resulting in damage or an unexpected breakdown.
Preventative maintenance like this extends the longevity of your furnace and helps reduce maintenance and repair fees.
Not sure how long ago your filter was changed or if it needs to be replaced? A heating services provider can take a look at your filter and let you know if it should be replaced with a new one.
Air circulation issues in your home? If you are experiencing this, check the vents in those warmer rooms. Vents bringing hot or cool air into the house winter/summer accumulate dust, pet dander, whatever, and should be vacuumed on a regular basis to ensure good air flow. At the same time make sure that your return air vents are not blocked by furniture or other items pushed up against them.
If humidity is too low in your house, this can lead to many different issues. Some of the most common problems created by low humidity in Edmonton homes include:
In addition to these physical effects, low humidity can damage hardwood flooring, wood furniture, paint, and wallpaper (causing it to crack/peel). Low humidity also makes it more challenging to maintain proper air temperature. Dry air is more difficult to heat. Therefore, your furnace will be forced to work harder to keep your home warm. As a result, you’ll have higher heating bills, and your furnace may experience more frequent repairs and a shorter lifespan
You'll need to increase the humidity level if you have low relative humidity in your Edmonton home. The best way to fix low relative humidity is to install a whole-home humidifier. This specialized home comfort appliance will significantly improve your indoor air quality and allow you to live more comfortably.
There are many benefits to maintaining good humidity levels in your Edmonton home with a whole home humidifier system. These benefits include:
In Edmonton, winter home humidity should be between 35% and 45%. In general, indoor humidity levels below 30% are too dry, and anything above 50% is too damp.
If the indoor humidity level in your home is too high in the winter, you may see condensation accumulating on the inside of your windows - or even your walls. If your home has single-pane windows or insufficient insulation, this will make matters worse.
As a result of high humidity, mould, mildew, and rotting can occur. Therefore, it is vital to maintain appropriate humidity levels in your home, as improper humidity can lead to an uncomfortable, unhealthy, and damaged home.
The air we breathe is vital for our health and well-being, but the quality of the air we inhale can vary greatly depending on our location and the time of year. In the Edmonton region, residents face long, harsh winters ...
Read MoreLooking for a reliable and efficient furnace in Edmonton? Here's what you need to know about Trane products. Our heating experts examine Trane furnaces and air quality solutions. ...
Read MoreIndoor air quality matters for your health a lot more than you might think! In fact, indoor air quality is strongly related to both your health and wellbeing.
In addition to discomfort, indoor air pollutants can cause numerous negative health effects, including:
When you improve your home’s air quality, you can eliminate these symptoms and even enhance your health in many ways. By installing a furnace humidifier, ventilation system, air cleaner and/or sterilization system in your Spruce Grove home, you can remove harmful pollutants - many of which you may not even know are there! As a result, you will benefit from:
With so many accessible indoor air quality products on the market, who wouldn’t opt for cleaner, healthier indoor air!
There are many indoor and outdoor air pollutants that can negatively affect your health. The 5 most common (and harmful) indoor air pollutants in Spruce Grove that you should reduce inside your home include:
Many people don’t realize how harmful excessive moisture can be. In fact, high indoor humidity is one of the most often overlooked indoor air pollutants in Spruce Grove. Excess moisture inside your home can result in the growth of mould, mildew, and other toxic pollutants. Not only will this affect the health of you and your family, but it can also negatively affect your home and its structure.
Biological pollutants like mould, bacteria, viruses, pet dander and saliva, dust, mites, and pollen are extremely common in Spruce Grove homes. Removing these pollutants from your indoor air is essential for health and wellness.
While some indoor pollutants are visible - like dust, dirt and smoke - most are not. Unfortunately, many of the most harmful particles in your home are those you can’t see. Therefore, indoor air quality systems help reduce life-altering pollutants that you aren’t even aware are there.
Volatile Organic Compounds are pollutants that are emitted from everyday materials and activities inside your home. For example, VOCs are often emitted from:
Reducing these pollutants with the help of an indoor air quality system will create a healthier, fresher and more comfortable home.
If you have any gas-powered appliances in your home (e.g. furnace, air conditioner, water heater, etc.), combustion pollutants are a possible concern. These appliances produce dangerous gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, etc. which can have negative health implications for you and your family. With the help of improved ventilation and air filtration, you can ensure that these pollutants do not pose a threat in your Spruce Grove home.
ProSolutions Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning doesn't just work in Edmonton. We also serve the surrounding communities, including:
