Woman with Blue Hat Relaxing in a Pool

Why You Need a Humidifier in the Summer

Now, we all know that using a humidifier during the winter months is a  necessity.

Of course you need a humidifier in the winter months  when the heat is blasting and the frigid outdoor air dries your skin to the bone. 

But do you really need a humidifier in the warmer months? Before you pack up your humidifier for the season, you’re going to want to read this.

Do you need a humidifier in the summer?

Yes! You can greatly benefit from using a humidifier during the summer months. 

Depending on where you live, as the seasons change you may experience varying levels of heat and humidity.  Although temperature and humidity level outdoors are out of our control, one thing we do have control over is our indoor air quality. The average human spends 93% of their time indoors, so yes, although the temperatures are changing outside, indoor air quality should be a priority. 

So, why would you need a humidifier during the summer months when humidity is high? 

Air conditioning. 


Air conditioning is a beloved weapon against the summer heat. There is nothing quite like returning to a comfortable, air conditioned home after an outdoor excursion in the heat of the summer. While air conditioning makes summer bearable, it also sucks moisture from your home and recycles dry air over and over again, extracting moisture every time the air cycles through your HVAC system. 

If your AC is running, your humidifier should be too.

Chlorine. 


Although extremely refreshing, chlorinated pools can take a serious toll on your skin. Dermatologist Lauren Ploch says chlorine strips your hair and skin of the natural oils in charge of keeping moisture in, leaving your skin dry, itchy, flaky, sensitive, and your hair and nails dry and brittle. Optimizing your indoor humidity with a humidifier can combat dryness and irritation. 

Sun

Summer can be one of the most dehydrating seasons for your skin based on high outdoor temperatures and low indoor temperatures. Even with ample SPF, sun exposure naturally dries out your skin. According to Harvard Health, the sun's heat dries out skin and depletes the skin's supply of natural lubricating oils. Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause burning and long-term changes in the skin's structure. Sunburns can result in peeling, cracking, and extreme discomfort. Having your humidifier on your bedside table will hydrate your damaged skin and work to repair hydrated skin overnight. 

The constant transition from outdoor heat, chlorine, and sun exposure to dehydrated indoor air can wreak havoc on your skin, airways, scalp, and joints. You can also experience what is known as “sick building syndrome,” which is a phenomenon where you feel symptoms of illness in a particular indoor location due to a number of factors including dehydrated air, inadequate ventilation, or volatile temperatures. 

Running your humidifier in the Summer = necessary.

Optimizing your Indoor Humidity

Optimal humidity levels for your home range from 40% to 60% year around. 

The moisture levels in the home tend to be quite volatile compared to humidity levels in the environment. A hygrometer is a useful tool to measure the humidity levels of your home air; these devices measure the moisture content of the air and present the humidity level in the form of a percentage. 

Although optimal humidity levels indoor should remain consistent regardless of reason, you may prefer to adjust your humidifier depending on the temperature. In the winter months, you may keep your humidifier on the highest setting. In the summer, you may choose to keep it on a lower setting if it is cool outside or the windows are open. Something to remember: if your AC is on, your humidifier should be too. 

Benefits of a humidifier in the summer

Canopy Humidifier and Essential Oil Pairing

We have established that using a humidifier during the summer months is a great way to combat rising temperatures and dry, air conditioned home air. The benefits of using a humidifier in the summer months are vast, but the most prominent benefits are: reduced allergy symptoms, healthy hydrated skin, and cooler home conditions. 

It can… Calm allergies. 

While the heat of summer is a nice break from the dark, cold winter weather, it also brings with it an increase in pollen and mold, which can trigger allergy flare ups. 

Humidifiers are a helpful tool for allergy sufferers since they can help to relieve congestion, sore throat, watery eyes, sinus pain, and inflammation. Turning on your humidifier during the summer months can prevent you from experiencing common allergy symptoms despite the high pollen and mold count.  

It can… Keep your skin healthy and hydrated.

Dry air can make your skin dry, itchy and uncomfortable. In severe cases, you may experience cracks or bleeding. No, thank you!

Aside from outdoor factors, running your AC all night depletes indoor air quality resulting in sub-optimal humidity levels, which can cause your skin to lose moisture overnight.

Humidifiers increase the moisture levels in your home air, which helps to rehydrate the skin by improving the skin’s moisture barrier. The more hydrated your skin, the better you will feel. 

If you are prone to dry, flaky scalp, a humidifier can help! The added moisture in the air from your humidifier will rehydrate your dry, itchy scalp reducing flakiness and irritation over time. 

It can… Keep your home cooler with less energy.

Humidity helps make the heat more bearable. Think about how delicious it feels to stand under a mister on a scaldingly hot day… 

Increasing the humidity levels in your home may not make your home temperature colder, per say, but it will make it feel colder. While your thermostat reads 73 degrees, it may actually feel like 71 degrees with the added moisture. A one time humidifier purchase such as Canopy will pay for itself over time since you can set your air conditioner at a higher temperature while maintaining optimal indoor humidity, and reducing your electricity bill.


So, the conclusion? Yes, you should think twice about storing your humidifier away for the season. 


Hello summer, hello humidifier.