If the humidity levels are high or low in your home, this can cause problems with your HVAC unit. Below is some information about these problems, and how you can get the levels down or up to where they are supposed to be.

HVAC System and Low Humidity

Humidity levels are lower during the cold winter months, because there is less moisture in the air. When you turn on the heat on your HVAC system, this makes the problem even worse, because the heat takes the already low moisture out of the air inside your home.  This can cause problems with dry nasal passages, aggravated sinuses, and dry skin.

You may feel colder when the humidity is low, so you turn up the thermostat to keep warm. This can result in your furnace working extra hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Over time, working harder will start to affect the performance of your furnace, and may even reduce its lifespan.

HVAC System and High Humidity

On the other hand, if the humidity levels are high inside your home, there is more moisture in the air. Your HVAC system may have to work harder to remove enough moisture to properly cool your home. This not only adds wear to your unit, but you may notice your utility bills are higher.

Humidify and Dehumidify

The best way to deal with low humidity levels in your home is by installing a humidifier to add moisture to their air. If you have high humidity levels, install a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air. Contact an HVAC technician. They can install both types of humidifiers directly to your system so the humidity levels will be correct whether you are using your furnace or air conditioner.

If you do not want to do this, you can use stand alone humidifiers and dehumidifiers in your home that can be purchased from most home supply stores. These units generally have a moisture level indicator to help you know what the humidity levels are.

It is important that you hire an HVAC technician install the humidifier and dehumidifier for you. This is because the type you need to install depends on the HVAC system you have. You should also have your HVAC unit maintained on a regular basis to ensure it is working at its peak performance. Ask the residential furnace repair specialist how often this should be done. If your system is old, or too large or too small for your home, this can also affect its performance. In a case like this, you would need to have your unit replaced.