For the majority of the year, the weather in my local area is especially cold. We are not surprised by temperatures down to negative-twenty five degrees. The winter conditions require the heating system to operate for six to eight months straight. A whole-home humidifier is almost a necessity. Cold air doesn’t retain as much moisture as warmer air. The chilly weather results in concerns with insufficient humidity. Chapped lips, frizzy hair and static shock are signs of overly dry air. When the air is dry, it pulls moisture out of everything it touches, including hair, skin and home furnishings. There is the potential for hardwood floors, doors, moldings and furnishing to crack or split. Dried out nasal passages make family members more susceptible to cold and flu. It takes longer to recover from illness when there isn’t enough moisture in the air. Coughing, sneezing, headaches, difficulty sleeping and sore throat are consequences of improper humidity levels. Plus, the dry conditions aggravate symptoms of allergies, asthma, psoriasis and eczema. It can be tempting to crank the thermostat, but this just puts greater strain on the furnace and makes matters worse. A whole-home humidifier introduces necessary moisture into the air as it passes through the heating system. The device operates quietly, requires only annual upkeep and greatly improves the comfort and air quality of the living space. It allows for lower thermostat settings, reducing demands on the heating system and resulting in lower monthly energy bills. I recovered the investment into the humidifier through energy savings in under three years.