If you don’t have a humidifier in your allergy avoidance arsenal, here are five compelling reasons to have one and use one during the winter months:

• • Ease cold and flu symptoms: By adding moisture back into the air, a humidifier relieves congestion and nighttime stuffiness so sick family members can breathe better, sleep easier, and get well faster.

• • Prevent sinus infections: Dry sinuses are irritated sinuses. This can lead to sinus infections in susceptible individuals. Keep sinuses hydrated by using a humidifier when heating makes the air in your house dry.

• • Keep skin happy: Cold air outside and dry air inside combine to make skin dry, leading to painful cracking and even eczema. Don’t wait until skin gets to this point. Use a humidifier to prevent your skin from drying out in the first place.

• • Cut heating costs: Air that’s properly humid feels warmer than dry air at the same temperature. This spells lower heating costs while you enjoy the other benefits of proper humidity levels. To further improve the energy efficiency of your heating system, you should consider having it serviced by a local hvac contractor.

• • Take care of your home: Dry air and the flux between summer’s humidity and winter’s dryness can damage your home’s wood floors, furniture, and paint. Keep your home’s environment from drastic shifts in humidity levels by using a humidifier during winter months when forced air heating dries out the air.

For more information on the importance of humidification, see Benefits of Home Humidification and Using Humidifiers for Allergy Relief and More. For help choosing a humidifier that’s right for you, see our Humidifier Buying Guide or call us at 1-800-339-7123.