Many people notice dry lips, a tickly nose, or static electricity in the home during winter. This is no coincidence: indoor air is often noticeably drier in winter than in other seasons.
Why does the air dry out in winter?
Cold outdoor air can naturally hold much less water vapour than warm air. As soon as that cold, relatively dry outdoor air enters the home and is warmed by the heating, the relative humidity drops even further. The result: indoor humidity can easily fall below 30 per cent in winter, while 40 to 60 per cent is considered comfortable.
What are the effects of dry air?
- Dry skin, lips, or a tickly throat
- More static electricity, for example when touching door handles
- Wooden furniture or floors that may develop slight shrinkage gaps
- Houseplants that develop brown leaf tips more quickly
Many people notice that their eyes or airways become irritated more easily in winter, which can contribute to these symptoms, although heating is far from always the only factor.
What can you do about dry winter air?
- Do not set the heating higher than necessary: the warmer the air, the lower the relative humidity
- Dry laundry indoors on a drying rack; this adds moisture to the air (but ensure adequate ventilation to prevent mould)
- Place a few houseplants around; they release a small amount of moisture through their leaves
- Ventilate deliberately: use short, targeted bursts of ventilation instead of leaving windows slightly ajar all day, so you do not unnecessarily let out too much moisture and heat
Dynter does not sell humidifiers, so our own equipment is not the solution to this particular problem (air that is too dry): our dehumidifier does the opposite and is designed for rooms with too much moisture, not too little. For dry winter air, the simple adjustments listed above are often enough. If your symptoms persist, a standalone humidifier is a sensible next step to consider.