If your home feels unusually dry in winter, you’re not imagining it. Cold outdoor air holds very little moisture, and once it’s heated indoors, humidity levels can drop fast. In places like Norwell and across the South Shore, winter dryness doesn’t just cause dry skin, it can quietly lead to expensive damage inside your home.

At Full Swing Plumbing, Heating & Air, we often see homeowners focus on comfort symptoms while overlooking the financial impact of low humidity. Understanding what dry air does to your home, and how to control it, can help protect both your health and your investment.

What Causes Extremely Dry Indoor Air in Winter?

During winter, your heating system runs more often, warming cold air that’s already low in moisture. Each time your furnace or boiler cycles on, it further dries the air inside your home.

Contributing factors include:

• Frequent heating system use 
• Older homes with natural air leakage 
• Modern homes that are tightly sealed but lack humidity control 
• Fireplaces and wood stoves are pulling moisture from indoor air 

It’s common for indoor humidity to fall well below healthy levels during the winter months.

The Hidden Cost of Low Humidity: Damage to Your Home

Low humidity doesn’t just feel uncomfortable—it can cost you money.

Hardwood Floors and Trim

Wide-plank hardwood floors are especially vulnerable. When humidity drops:

• Floorboards shrink and separate 
• Cracks appear between planks 
• Molding and trim pull away from the walls 
• Wood can permanently warp or split 

These repairs can be expensive and are often not covered by insurance.

Furniture and Woodwork

Antique furniture, built-ins, staircases, and cabinets can also dry out, weakening joints and finishes over time.

Health Problems Linked to Dry Winter Air

Low humidity affects more than your home; it impacts your well-being.

Common issues include:

• Dry, itchy skin and lips 
• Scratchy throats and sinus irritation 
• Nosebleeds 
• Increased allergy and asthma symptoms 
• Greater spread of airborne viruses 

Maintaining proper humidity supports respiratory health and overall comfort during the winter.

What Is the Ideal Indoor Humidity Level?

For winter comfort and protection, the ideal indoor humidity range is 35–45%. Below this range, wood dries out, and health symptoms worsen. Above it, condensation and mold risks increase.

The challenge is maintaining that balance consistently during cold weather.

Why Portable Humidifiers Aren’t Enough

While countertop or room humidifiers may provide temporary relief, they often:

• Only treat one small area 
• Require constant refilling and cleaning 
• Create uneven humidity throughout the home 
• Increase mold risk if overused 

For whole-home protection, a more permanent solution is often needed.

Whole-Home Humidifiers: A Smarter Winter Solution

Whole-home humidifiers integrate directly with your existing heating system, delivering controlled moisture throughout the house.

Benefits include:

• Even the humidity in every room 
• Automatic regulation to stay in the ideal range 
• Protection for hardwood floors and wood trim 
• Reduced static electricity 
• Improved indoor air quality 

Systems like AprilAire bypass humidifiers or steam humidifiers are designed to work seamlessly with furnaces and air handlers.

Choosing the Right Humidifier for Your Home

The best solution depends on:

• Home size and layout 
• Existing heating equipment 
• Level of dryness 
• Presence of hardwood floors or historic woodwork 

At Full Swing, we evaluate your entire system to recommend the right humidification option, not a one-size-fits-all fix.

Protect Comfort, Health, and Your Investment

Dry winter air can quietly damage your home while making daily life uncomfortable. Addressing humidity isn’t just about comfort; it’s about protecting valuable finishes, preserving hardwood floors, and supporting healthier indoor air.

Full Swing Plumbing, Heating & Air helps homeowners maintain proper humidity all winter long with professionally installed, whole-home solutions.

If your home feels dry or you’re noticing gaps in your floors or trim, contact Full Swing today to schedule a humidity evaluation and protect your home before the damage becomes permanent.