Comfortable Room Temperature

Argh! The cold of winter means more than the hassle of coats, boots, hats and gloves - and big heating bills and shorter days. We also have to deal with humidity issues.

Here in Indiana, it seems we only have about five weeks every year where the temperature and humidity is perfect - we go from the heat of summer into the cold of winter and then back to the hot summer with little relief.

I have been calculating the winter days and it looks like, even with the longest fall and spring, we get about 134 days of winter cold. And with cold comes the lack of humidity - for a third of the year!!

We all understand the effects low humidity has on humans - and animals:

• dry skin
• scratchy throats
• static electricity zaps

Then, I discovered the effects of dry air on furniture. It dries it out and makes it crack!

But now, I have discovered something else - the dry air is a problem for plants and creates another wintertime hassle for homeowners.

You see, if the air is dry, it tries to absorb moisture from any place it can. That's why you hear about people having bowls of water around their homes in winter or having pots of water on their stoves or woodburning stoves.

That means the routine you have for 2/3 of the year for watering your houseplants has to change. Not only do the plants take in the water, so does the air, which means you have to water more often.

I couldn't figure out why my plants seemed to be so droopy all the time. I actually was afraid I was over-watering - that is, until I felt the soil and it was dry as a bone.

The culprit - lack of humidity.

The solution - a humidifier and an Airflow Breeze booster fan.

Here at AirFlow Technology, we offer Crane humidifiers. They come in designs that delight children (for their bedrooms and playrooms) and others that fit in with decor throughout the house.

Not only does the AirFlow Breeze register vent booster fan draw all the warm air out of the ducts and into your home, it also circulates it - inlcuding the moisture added from a humidifier - making the rooms in your home more comfortable all winter long!

When you install both a humidifier and an AirFlow Breeze register vent booster fan,

• your family will thank you;
• your pets will love you;
• your furniture will remain intact, and
• your plants will thrive.

Sounds like a great wintertime plan!!

-Elaine of the AirFlow Technology Blog Team