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I keep the downstairs at about 65-67 downstairs during the day and 60 at night when just the dog is there. I ordered thermometers online to see if the thermostat is correct because when my mother visits she claims it is freezing. It does feel pretty cold at times, but I wanted realistic temps for the oil bill. I put out the thermometers this morning, and they read exactly the temp of the downstairs thermostat.
However, the thermometer has a "humidity" rating on it. Instructions says it should be 40-60% range. Other sources said 45% is ideal for humidity. The humidity in the house is 28%. Do all houses here have low humidity without a humidifier? I didn't have the wall air conditioners wrapped because I heard -after someone said to do it - that it would make the air dry. You read all about lowering humidity but never about increasing it. I thought maybe I ought to be grateful it isn't high.
I never even knew the humidity rating of any prior houses I owned, but it just happened to be on the thermometer I bought yesterday. So, do I worry it isn't in the ideal range?
P.S. If this was asked, I apologize. For some reason I have not been able to subscribe to threads or search the forum lately on this computer. I am not sure why.
In the winter, with indoor heating especially, it is very common for the humidity to get rather low. Forced hot air systems are the worst for this. Some people attach a humidifier to their heating system. Others buy a small one for a single room. You have to be careful to clean them out frequently or you will get mold and blow bacteria all over the place. Many people, especially children, will get nosebleeds here in the winter so pediatricians often advise getting a humidifier for the child's room. For me, the dry air decimates my skin since I have severe ezcema, but a humidifier does not help me much with that. I also have to be careful with the humidity level because I have musical instruments in the house and the change in humidity during different seasons creates all kinds of problems with the wood. I keep several humidity gauges/hygrometers in different rooms. I prefer it to be at least 35-40%. You are right that a lot of sources do say that 45% is ideal but I can't get that in my house. 26% is rather low. Too much humidity is not good either as that could lead to mold.
You can purchase cheap room humidifiers in places like CVS but you've got keep them very clean.
I have forced hot air and the humidity in the house is around 20-28% in the dead of winter. As I get older I notice my hands get very dry. I tried a room humidifier. It works but the paper element gets dirty and has to be changed a lot and the water jug breaks easily, at least on the model I bought.
OK. I think this is probably why my hands are so chapped and red. At the same time I didn't realize the maintenance. I may just hang in there and not worry about it. If googling info is correct in this instance, it also explains the sore throat when I get up in the morning.
I remember people in Charleston using dehumidifiers because of antiques. I never heard of people trying to put water back in the air.
Thanks for the feedback. I think my temperature gages are not far off. The one downstairs says 28% and upstairs is 30% humidity. Upstairs is 62 temp, but there is a space heater that is used at night to keep it up to 64.
Speaking of space heaters, I found a ceramic tower space heater by Lasko that is very good. It can oscillate and you can program a temperature for it to come on and off. It really takes the chill out of a room quickly.
I actually bought two space heaters, and they are AMAZING. It is incredible how much heat they kick out on low. The one I bought a few years ago and never used it. Now, I am glad I brought it with me. It is preset and heat on low when within two degrees of set temp or high of it further off. It turns itself off (after the engine cools down) once it gets to the temp. The space heaters are AMAZING.
It's VERY dry in the winter in the northeast. Invest in some Static Guard
Even here in NC, it's been very dry. We've had a lot of nosebleeds this year - I have a couple humidifiers for the kids' rooms - Walgreen's makes a good cheap one that's easy to keep clean.
Funny because I went to kiss my son goodnight, and there was static. The look of shock on his face as he touched his forehead.............. I told him it was just static. oops
I wouldn't want to get too much humidity in the air. Heck, earlier I was worried about the basement having too much humidity, and now I am trying to put it in the air. ;-)
I actually bought two space heaters, and they are AMAZING. It is incredible how much heat they kick out on low. The one I bought a few years ago and never used it. Now, I am glad I brought it with me. It is preset and heat on low when within two degrees of set temp or high of it further off. It turns itself off (after the engine cools down) once it gets to the temp. The space heaters are AMAZING.
Space heaters work well but at a price...Appliances which produce heat take the most electricity. A space heater generally run around 1,500 watts per hour even on low. Lets say you run them(2) for 3 to 4 hours a day. At 4 hours a day that's 12,000 watts a day or 360,000 watts a month which on L.I. would run you 360(kilowatt) x.195(LIPA rate) or around 70 a month just for those two heaters alone.
*For informational purposes only....not intended to start an argument on electric rates in different parts of the county.
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