Environmental Help Desk Tip for Week of November 4, 2019

In Winter, Humidity is Your Friend (unlike Summer!)

The air inside your home can become very dry during the winter months. In winter, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.  Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better, so a humidifier can help you feel comfortable when your thermostat is set at a lower temperature.

You can also increase the humidity in your apartment or home with a collection of house plants.  Some people like to place a pot of water on the stove at a simmer.  This tends to be minimally efficient (using energy of the stove to save energy of the heating system) and potentially dangerous (if left unattended and dry). 

If you have a wood burning stove, then having a pot of water on top can be a good solution since the energy is already being produced to heat the space.  Avoid letting the pot dry out and use a pot that can withstand being dry for a period of time in case you forget to maintain the water level.


Provided by Upper Charles Climate Action – UCCA.350ma@gmail.com

Dawn Durning-Hammond

Leave a Comment





Categories