Whole house humidifiers mount on a home's duct system to provide appropriate amounts of moisture to the home air. Relative humidity levels in the home should be between 35%-50%, yet during winter humidity levels are usually only at 5%-10%. When air is too dry it creates comfort problems: nose throat and skin discomfort, and static electricity. It also creates home problems: shrinking wood including floors, windows, trim, walls cracking, wood instruments warping...

Humidifiers can also help reduce your monthly heating bills because humidified air feels warmer than dry air, even at a lower temperature setting. For example, a temperature of 69 degrees at 35% relative humidity feels just as warm as 72 degrees with a relative humidity of 19%. Setting your thermostat back by 3 degrees can reduce annual heating costs up to 5%.

Static electricity is a direct result of very dry air. Houseplants can suffer from the "winter drought" caused by low humidity levels. Static shocks "zap" you and sensitive equipment. How many times have you shuffled across the carpet, only to be rudely surprised by the crackle of static as you reach for the light switch! It's no fun when it happens to you, and even less so when you reach out and "zap" a loved one.