Alberta winters are known for their cold, but it’s the dry indoor air that often causes the most discomfort. Once your furnace is running daily, humidity levels inside your home can drop quickly, leading to dry skin, irritated sinuses, and uncomfortable living conditions.
For homeowners in St. Albert and surrounding areas, a whole home humidifier can make a noticeable difference. It quietly adds moisture to the air, helping your home feel warmer, healthier, and more comfortable throughout the winter.
Cold air naturally holds very little moisture. When that air is brought inside and heated, humidity levels drop even further. It’s common for indoor humidity to fall well below comfortable levels during winter, especially when temperatures drop sharply.
Without added moisture, the air can feel harsh and uncomfortable for both people and your home.
A properly installed humidifier helps take the edge off dry winter air. Homeowners often notice benefits such as:
• Easier breathing during cold months
• Fewer static electricity shocks
• Reduced dryness in skin and sinuses
• Less cracking or separation in hardwood floors and wood trim
Many people don’t realize how much dry air affects them until humidity levels are restored. Balanced moisture simply makes the home more pleasant to be in.
For most Alberta homes, an indoor humidity level between 35 and 45 percent is considered ideal during winter. Staying within this range helps improve comfort while reducing the risk of window condensation or frost when outdoor temperatures are extremely low.
As temperatures outside drop, humidity settings may need to be adjusted to prevent moisture buildup on windows. This balance is difficult to maintain without a whole home humidifier.
The two most common options for local homes are flow-through humidifiers and steam humidifiers.
Flow-through humidifiers are reliable, efficient, and low maintenance, making them a popular choice for many households. Steam humidifiers offer greater control and are often better suited for larger homes or those with higher comfort demands.
Both systems connect directly to your furnace and operate automatically as your heating system runs.
A humidifier does not directly increase furnace efficiency, but it can improve how warm your home feels. Proper humidity allows heat to feel more comfortable at slightly lower thermostat settings, which may reduce how often your furnace needs to run during winter.
Whole home humidifiers are easy to maintain. Most systems require replacing a pad or canister once a year. This can be done during a regular furnace tune-up to keep everything working properly.
Humidifiers are often out of sight and out of mind, but their impact is felt every day during winter. They help create a more comfortable indoor environment without requiring constant attention or adjustments.
If your home feels dry each winter or you notice static shocks and breathing discomfort, adding a humidifier may be one of the simplest upgrades you can make.
A1 Heating and Cooling has been helping St. Albert homeowners stay comfortable since 1979. Our team can assess your home and recommend the right humidifier for your heating system and lifestyle.
Call us today or book online to learn more about whole home humidifiers and winter comfort solutions.
