Cleaner Air Indoors: Benefits of Humidifiers, Dehumidifiers, and Air Filters

Did you know that Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors? It’s a staggering statistic, but what’s even more surprising is the quality of the air we’re breathing during that time. According to the EPA, indoor concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.

This invisible threat can lead to immediate issues, like headaches, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.

Energy-efficient homes are great for keeping utility bills low, but they can also trap pollutants inside. To truly protect your family’s health, you need a comprehensive approach. At Jones Air & Water, we recommend a three-pronged strategy: filtration, humidification, and dehumidification.

Three Systems that Create a Healthier Home Environment

1. Air filtration systems: The invisible shield

The first step in purifying your home is to remove the particulate matter that is floating around. An air filtration system for mold, dust, and dander acts as a shield, capturing the contaminants you can’t always see.

Standard furnace filters catch large debris, but dedicated air purification systems go much further. High-quality systems can remove up to 99.97% of harmful particles, including bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. Benefits of an advanced air purifier for your home use include:

Allergy relief for mold allergy sufferers or those sensitive to pet dander
Dust control
Better sleep quality

2. Whole-house humidifiers: Your winter defense

When the St. Louis winter hits and the furnace kicks on, the air inside your home can become as dry as a desert. This lack of moisture affects more than your skin’s comfort. It actively impacts both your health and the integrity of your home. Installing a whole-house furnace humidifier is the most effective way to combat these issues.

First, consider the health implications. Viruses, such as the flu, can survive longer in dry air. Maintaining balanced humidity (between 40% and 60%) helps reduce transmission rates while soothing dry nasal passages and preventing winter nosebleeds.

Beyond personal wellness, these systems protect your largest investment: your home. Dry air pulls moisture from wherever it can find it, including your wood floors and furniture, which can cause expensive cracking and warping.

Because moist air holds heat better than dry air, a whole-home humidifier filter can help your home feel warmer at lower temperatures. This simple adjustment can lower your heating bills, making the pros and cons of your whole-house humidifier heavily weighted toward installation.

3. Whole-house dehumidifiers: Your summer relief

On the other hand, Midwest summers are notorious for their high humidity. When indoor humidity rises above 60%, it creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and dust mites. A whole-house dehumidifier is essential for maintaining moisture levels within a safe range (the EPA recommends 30% to 50%).

The Comfort Factor

High humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, which makes you feel “sticky” and hot. A dehumidifier removes that muggy feeling, making your home comfortable without forcing you to overwork your air conditioner.

Mold and Odor Prevention

That damp, musty smell in your basement is often a sign of excess moisture. A whole-house dehumidifier that residents rely on will pull excess moisture from the air, eliminating odors at the source and preventing mold growth in basements and crawl spaces.

Whole-home vs. portable: The Jones Air & Water difference

You may wonder if you can purchase a portable unit. While better than nothing, portable units are noisy, require constant refilling or emptying, and only treat one room at a time.

At home air purification systems that are integrated into your HVAC system provide silent, invisible, and consistent coverage for every room in your house. Whether you’re looking into the cost of a whole-house humidifier or how to install a whole-house humidifier, the value of a whole-home system is immeasurable.

Breathe easier today

Don’t guess about the quality of the air you breathe. As a trusted air purification company, Jones Air & Water helps you create a safer, healthier environment.

You can be a filter or you can buy a filter!