Do you have a whole house humidifier? (water heater, live in)

[dollkel]

Just recently moved here and are having quite a challenge with dry skin and hair. With the dry air and cool temps do people typically use a humidifer of some sort?

If so, what type?

Thanks so much

Dolly

[LBTRS]

We purchased a great humidifier at Costco for $99. Comes on and off automatically and has solved many of our dry air issues.

[nolagirl]

We bought one from Home Depot and used it for a few months until we adjusted, you do get use to it after a few months.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by dollkel

Just recently moved here and are having quite a challenge with dry skin and hair. With the dry air and cool temps do people typically use a humidifer of some sort?

If so, what type?

Thanks so much

Dolly

Interesting question, Dolly.

My suggestion is to "hang in there" for at least a few months before making a decision. You'll be amazed how fast you'll adapt to the dry climate.

Good Luck

[KatrynS]

If you don't feel like hangin' in there...

We're in CO, and after 2 years learned to put up with the dryness but never really "got used to it". Two years ago we put in a whole house humidifier (Honeywell, ~$100, hooks into the HVAC so you just need to run the furnace fan). I'm kicking myself for suffering through 2 yrs without it. Whole family just feels better, persistent cough went away, skin not so dry, don't get shocked in the house, use less heating and AC, and we seem to get sick less often. Keeping the humidity around 40% reduces dust in the air (decreases the electrostatic charge in the air) as well as viruses/bacteria. Over 50% encourages mold. Put it in ourselves, set the dial, and change filters 2x a year. Then forget it. I wouldn't live in a dry climate without one.

[Mouser]

I have an Emerson it holds about 5 gallons with my
2000' house @ 30% it uses about 4 gallons a day
I replace the paper filters every three months
add a cap full of bacteria conditioner to every
fill up and yes I run it year round

[KatrynS]

Should add: we put in the kind that taps into the water line and drain, so we don't need to fill or add chemicals (total no brainer once it is in). No major plumbing required -- just adding a saddle valve to tap into the water line (goes on the outside of existing pipe and pierces it to get the water) and stick the drain hose into a sump or clohteswasher out line, etc. We do turn it off when we're out of town, just like the water heater and lines to the clothes washer. I like that I can set it and forget it, and take comfy air for granted.

[LocoAZnative]

Threads like these made me laugh. I have never in my life ever used a humidifier, but then again I'm native so my skin is like leather. I've never used sunscreen my whole life (I'm sure I will get skn cancer replies). Just remember this is a desert before you move here, and your skin will adapt.

[LBTRS]

Originally Posted by LocoAZnative

Threads like these made me laugh. I have never in my life ever used a humidifier, but then again I'm native so my skin is like leather. I've never used sunscreen my whole life (I'm sure I will get skn cancer replies). Just remember this is a desert before you move here, and your skin will adapt.

Skin cancer and skin like leather are not "adapting". Those are the results of not taking care of your skin. That's like saying I've smoked all my life and my lungs adapted by developing lung cancer.

[dollkel]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. Very much appreciated!