Humidify or Dehumidify, That Is The Question.

Yes, smart approach.  This can certainly help reduce hardwood expansion/contraction throughout the seasons.  

If you talk to window experts most will tell you the ideal is 30%.  With that yoi don't get condensation on your windows.

But everyone is different.   I have an outdoor wood boiler.  We do not run a humidifier and out humidity runs about 50% the entire winter...some times I even run the de-humidfyer to bring it down some.

Bob

You certainly don't want to increase the chances of mold. I imagine there are many who use humidifiers in the winter but don't think about this possibility!

Jeff

Bob -when we lived in Northern VA, I had a humidifier on at night when we had the heater on. I also had one in the corner where my orchids were.  You do have to make sure the humidifier is kept clean. 

Bob

High humidity in home can become a mold problem.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Bob, good advise of being ever vigilant to keep the humidity level in balance!  I have seen our wood dining rooom table split and crack when it is too dry in the winter!

The nose knows....dry itchy ...humidifer...not very scientific...but usually works for us !

When I lived in Minneapolis, we used a humidifier in the winter and a dehumidifier in the summer, especially in the basement. Now that I'm in California, we just roll with the days.

Hi Bob - I know that is important with forced air heat.  The only place I have a dehumidifier is in my basement.  I usually let the AC handle that in the summer.

 Good morning Bob "RealMan" Timm . It depends upon what part of the country that you are in. If you have humidifiers, they need to be cleaned periodically.

I agree, humidifiers and purifiers are great devices to have in your home. 

Hi Bob.  With these energy guidelines humidifiers and dehumidifiers play an important role in our lives.

Bob "RealMan" Timm Same issues here in Erie.  Humidifier in winter and dehumidifier late spring into fall.  Constant battle for which I use my nose & sinuses. 

Hi Bob "RealMan" Timm , I have a dehumidifier in our basement, but we don't have a humidifier.  I guess that's something I will have to check out.  Thanks for the information.

Around my area we could use a humdifier. It's dry most of the time. I have a pot of water I keep on my woodstove to add some moisture in the air. Great post, Bob. 

Good morning Bob. I never really got this but I do know how I feel. Thanks.

Most humidistats come with a chart that shows the best settings for temperatures.  The warmer the more water needed

We have a humidifier on our gas heating unit and haven't had it on at all this winter. No problems with dry air have occurred so we kept it off.

I don't mind a bit of dry, but too much humidity is tough on all of us.

This is a great topic to cover for those in areas where it is especially relevant.  I hadn't considered the impact on a home that had once flooded before.