The furnace that keeps your home warm and cozy in winter has an unfortunate side effect. It also bakes moisture out of the air, much the way your clothes dryer bakes moisture from a load of laundry. That s why, regardless of where you live, your indoor winter climate might be as dry as the driest desert. If the outdoor temperature is 10 degrees, the relative humidity inside can fall to 8 percent or less three times drier than the Sahara Desert, which has an average relative humidity of 25 percent.
Gaps can appear in moldings and other woodwork as dry wood shrinks.
Fabrics on furniture and draperies can become brittle, aging before their time. Floors may creak and banisters may wobble. Drawers and doors may no longer fit properly. Fortunately, there s an easy way to give your parched home the moisture it needs. The National Wood Flooring Association, along with many companies that make pianos, guitars and other wooden musical instruments, recommend using a humidifier during the heating season.