HOW TO INCREASE HUMIDITY IN A DRY HOUSE IN WINTER

We all know the issues with dry air. Sore throat, bloody noses, and dry skin.

Dry air can be a byproduct of central heat. As you work to heat up the home, the moisture can be sucked out leaving dry air as a result. A primary reason why so many of these symptoms, especially dry skin, pop up in the fall and winter.

Dry air can lower your body’s immune response as it dries out nasal cavities making airborne viruses and airborne bacteria transmission more likely. Dry air in the house can hurt your home’s structure too. It can result in cracked structures and harm your home’s wood furnishings including musical instruments, wood tables, and wood floors. Most homeowners are not aware that inappropriate humidity levels often void a wood floor manufacturers warranty.

A good indication of too much humidity is moisture accumulation on the inside of windows. Getting your home’s humidity as close to 45 percent is advised to help make your home more comfortable and your air healthier. We have helped many customers install whole home humidifiers, the best option to control humidity levels in your home, year round.

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Optimal Indoor Humidity Levels - The EPA recommends keeping indoor relative humidity between 30–50% to reduce health risks and prevent moisture damage.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Health Impacts of Low Humidity - When indoor humidity falls below 30%, people are more likely to experience dry skin, irritated sinuses, and respiratory issues.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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Creative and practical ways to increase winter home humidity

Lower the heat. Central heating dries the air out quickly. To slow this process, turn your thermostat down to 68 degrees (recommended by the US Department of Energy) – save money too. It’s also important to note that the more humidity in the air, the warmer the room will feel, warmer than the set temperature on your thermostat.
Add houseplants. Beautify your home, help purify the air and add to the humidity level. Properly watered plants release vapor from leaves, soil and stems into the air. Palms, philodendrons and Chinese evergreens work best.
Hang dry laundry. The moisture will evaporate into your home’s air.
Leave bathroom door open – while showering! This lets steam escape and fill the house with moisture. Turn off the exhaust fan in winter.’
Install a humidifier. The easiest solution for controlling home humidity is to use a humidifier. Portable units work in small areas. We have helped many customers install whole-home systems. Whole-home humidifiers are more efficient and ensure exact humidity levels.

Is your home too dry? Too humid?

Give us a call today, 937-823-4218

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Energy Savings Raising indoor humidity to proper levels can make a home feel warmer at lower thermostat settings, potentially lowering heating bills by 3–5% for each degree the thermostat is turned down.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Impact on Illness Transmission - Studies show that influenza virus survival is lowest when indoor humidity is kept between 40–60%, helping reduce airborne transmission.

Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH), Yale School of Medicine

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About the Author – Gaelan Smith

Gaelan Smith, U.S. Army Veteran and owner of Solar Flare Heating and Air, has years of experience keeping Dayton-area homes and businesses comfortable. He combines military discipline with HVAC expertise to deliver honest, reliable service year-round.

Need help?

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See What Your Neighbors are Saying

L. Kelly
Jul 2026
 I will definitely be using Solar Flare for all my future HVAC needs. Not only were they quick, friendly and efficient, but they were upfront with what needed to be done and the cost was very reasonable. I would highly recommend them and I’ll be telling all my friends and family to use them going forward.
 
 My service tech was Shawn and he was very friendly and great to work with!
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N. Bolesky
Jun 2026
 Solar Flare did a fantastic job and I couldn’t be happier. From the first call, they were responsive and professional, and they showed up on time and ready to work. The technician took the time to explain what was going on with my system and walked me through my options without any pressure or upselling.
 
 The work itself was clean, efficient, and done right the first time. My system is running better than it has in years, and the pricing was fair and transparent — no surprise charges at the end. He was courteous and respectful of my home.
 
 If you need HVAC work done, these are the people to call. I’ll definitely be using them again.
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L. Marsh
Mar 2026
 We finally found a great H.V.A.C company. Helped us out tremendously on a very cold day . Fast ,friendly and efficient.  Thank You . From Dan Banks at Brownies Transmission Kettering.
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A. Lytle
Feb 2026
 I’ve had the pleasure of working with Solar Flare in both a professional capacity and for my personal residence, and I can’t recommend them enough. They are consistently professional, responsive, and truly go above and beyond for their customers.
 
 Most recently, they installed a system in my home, and both the service and installation technicians were outstanding—knowledgeable, courteous, and considerate throughout the entire process. They took the time to explain everything clearly and ensured we were without heat for the shortest time possible.
 
 Highly recommend!
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J. Glackin
Feb 2026
 Beware! SF came out to trouble shoot a HVAC unit that was not heating. Their tech came back with a $9k quote because the unit required replacement: "FURNACE 3O YEARS OLD AND GAS VALVE IS BAD ) COST TO INSTALL 40K BTUH TEMPSTAR. GAS FURNACE MODEL # N92ESN0401412A WITH 1.5 TON A/C MODEL # R4A5S18AKANA WITH CASED EVAPORATOR COIL."
 
 I sent another company to gut check this, and $119 later, this is what they found: "Upon diagnostics of the system, it appears the gas valve does not need replaced nor does the hvac system. The flame sensor was checked, the drain was cleared, pressure switch terminals were oxidized; cleaned them. The actual issue found, was that the gas cock that supplied gas to the furnace, was almost in the "OFF" position. This can cause failure to
 ignite due to not enough gas flow. We turned the cock all the way open and the furnace fired on every time."
 
 Edit: The owner contacted me and expressed his regrets and stressed that this was a misunderstanding. I'll take him at his word. YMMV.
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R. Bawtenheimer
Feb 2026
 I have used Solar Flare for years to service my investment properties. Gaelan and his team are always responsive, practical, and honest about what work needs to be done on my systems. I've been in the industry over 30 years and know when I have a great partnership with one of my vendors. I can always count on them to get out to my properties quickly and my tenants have never complained our their technicians. If you want a reliable, professional, integral team, call Solar Flare!
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B. Strong
Nov 2025
 These guys are legit. No salesmen attitude, they want to fix what's wrong to actually help the customer. It's rare to find these days. We had the AC unit fixed quick and cheap in the summer then the furnace fixed fast this fall. I was quoted over $3K by Basset/CJS to replace the gas valve. Called Solar Flare and they did it no problem for $640. If you're looking for reliable service that actually takes care of the customer, these are the guys to go with! THANK YOU FOR BEING GENUINE HUMAN BEINGS! I will recommend you to anyone and everyone I know who needs HVAC help.
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T. Pitstick
Nov 2025
 We just had our first service with solar flare. Brandon came out to our house and did an excellent job. We certainly will use them in the spring as well.
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A. k
Sep 2025
 I had my AC repaired by Shawn in August, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, Shawn was professional, honest, and incredibly knowledgeable. He quickly diagnosed the issue and explained everything, which gave me confidence in his work.
 
 The pricing was very fair with no surprises or hidden fees, and the quality of his work was outstanding. Shawn combines expertise, fairness, and excellent service to make sure everything gets done right. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of reliable HVAC services!
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At Solar Flare Heating and Air, we’re committed to keeping your home and family comfortable year-round here in Ohio. Based in Centerville and proudly serving the greater Dayton area, we make it our mission to ensure your heating and air conditioning systems are operating at peak efficiency—so you can rely on comfort no matter the season.

As a trusted Centerville A/C and furnace repair company, we take pride in delivering honest, affordable service with a local touch. Our team is dedicated to diagnosing and fixing the root cause of your HVAC issues, not just the symptoms—because you deserve solutions that last. We’re neighbors serving neighbors, and we look forward to treating your home with the same care and respect we give our own.

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