How Humidity Affects Your Heating System (And What to Do About It)

When winter hits Dallas-Fort Worth, most homeowners focus on keeping their homes warm. Paying attention only to the temperature reading can cause some people to overlook another important factor affecting home comfort—humidity levels.

How Humidity Impacts Your Heating System

Your home’s humidity level is simply the amount of moisture in the air. In winter, cold air holds less moisture, which means humidity levels naturally drop. However, if humidity is too low or too high, it can negatively impact your home’s comfort and efficiency.

Low Humidity Makes Your Home Feel Colder

When humidity levels are too low, the air feels drier and can make temperatures seem colder than they actually are. This happens because moisture in the air helps retain heat. When the air is dry, your body loses heat faster.

You might find yourself cranking up the heat to stay warm, which increases energy bills and strains your furnace. Installing a humidifier can restore proper moisture levels, making your home feel warmer without dialing up the thermostat.

Low Humidity Can Reduce Heating Efficiency

In addition to making your home feel colder, leading to higher thermostat settings, dry indoor air can also affect how efficiently your heating system operates.

• More Frequent Cycling – Without enough moisture in the air, heat dissipates more quickly, causing the system to cycle on and off more often to maintain the set temperature. This added strain can lead to higher energy bills and unnecessary wear on components over time.
  
  
• Faster Dust Circulation and Filter Clogging – Dry air keeps dust and airborne particles suspended longer, leading to more debris passing through the HVAC system. This can cause air filters to clog faster, reducing airflow and forcing the system to work harder.

Regular HVAC maintenance and using a humidifier to maintain optimal indoor humidity (ideally 30 percent to 50 percent) can improve comfort and reduce strain on your heating system.

High Humidity Can Make Your Heating System Work Harder

While winter air is usually dry, some homes struggle with excess humidity, especially if there’s poor ventilation or an oversized heating system.

• Warm, humid air feels stuffy – Instead of feeling cozy, your home may feel damp or muggy, making it harder to maintain comfortable indoor climate.
  
  
• Higher humidity encourages mold growth – Excess moisture can lead to mold and mildew, which affects indoor air quality.
  
  
• Condensation can form on windows and walls – If humidity levels are too high, moisture can accumulate on cooler surfaces, potentially causing damage to wood, drywall, or window frames over time.

Balancing humidity with proper ventilation and a dehumidifier, if necessary, can improve indoor air quality and prevent moisture-related problems.

How to Maintain the Right Humidity Levels in Winter

Keeping humidity levels between 30 percent and 50 percent is ideal for comfort and efficiency.

Most smart thermostats and modern programmable thermostats allow you to monitor humidity, but some older thermostats don’t have humidity sensors.

If your thermostat doesn’t track humidity, you can use a hygrometer, an inexpensive device that measures indoor moisture levels. Readings below 30 percent indicate air that may be too dry, while levels above 50 percent suggest excess humidity, which could lead to moisture-related issues.

Whole-Home Humidifiers

A whole-home humidifier connects to your HVAC system and adds moisture to the air as needed. This helps maintain consistent comfort and reduces furnace strain.

Benefits of a Whole-Home Humidifier:

• Prevents dry skin, sore throats and allergies
• Reduces static electricity
• Helps your heater work more efficiently
• Protects wood floors and furniture from cracking, as well as expensive personal items like artwork, instruments and books

Improve Ventilation to Reduce Excess Humidity

If you have too much humidity, improving ventilation can help:

• Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms
• Open windows occasionally to allow fresh air circulation
• Ensure your attic and crawl spaces are properly ventilated

Change HVAC Filters Regularly

A clogged filter makes it harder for your heating system to regulate temperature and humidity. Change your filters every one to three months to keep air circulating properly.

Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks around windows and doors allow heated air to escape, which can cause your home to pull in cold, dry outdoor air. Sealing these leaks helps maintain stable humidity levels and allows your heater to run more efficiently.

When to Call an HVAC Professional

If your home feels too dry or too humid despite your efforts, it may be time for a professional HVAC assessment. A Tom’s Mechanical technician can:

• Inspect your heating system for wear and tear.
• Recommend a humidifier or dehumidifier based on your home’s needs.
• Check for air leaks or ventilation issues.
• Ensure your thermostat is properly calibrated.

Keep Your Arlington or DFW Home Comfortable This Winter

Don’t let humidity issues make your home uncomfortable, hamper your furnace’s efficiency or damage your personal property. At Tom’s Mechanical Inc., we specialize in heating system maintenance, humidifier installation and indoor air quality solutions to keep your home cozy, efficient and safe.

Schedule your HVAC service today by calling Tom’s Mechanical Inc. at 817-277-4493.