How to Maintain Humidity with Wood Heat

Although heating with wood can dramatically help with high heating bills, it also comes with a cost. That cost is dry air. Wood heat is a very dry heat that can affect furniture and skin. Those who have dry skin in the winter normally will experience the problem even worse when heating with wood. Furniture will suffer and the wood can crack and laminates pull apart due to the dry air.

It is easy to maintain moisture, or humidity, when heating with wood if you plan ahead during the winter season.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Humidifier or
• Large pot (preferably cast iron or enamel)

1. Consider purchasing a humidifier. These are available in single room size or larger to handle a whole house.

2. Set an open pot of water on top of the wood stove if that’s what you’re using for heat. Cast iron teapots work well for this also and they look great too.

3. Set an open pot of water in the corner coals of a fireplace, if burning an open fire.

4. Cook soups and stews often on your kitchen stove, as the food simmers, moisture will be released into the air.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow manufacturers instructions on how to fill and run a humidifier.
• Check water levels in the pots often. Keep all pots of water filled, as the moisture will evaporate quickly into the air when the fire is burning.
• Add a few drops of scented essential oil to the water to spread a favored scent throughout the house.
• Cast iron or enamelware coffeepots and teapots help maintain the humidity while adding a decorative touch.
• Look for a large enamelware jam cooking pot during the summer at your local store. These hold enough water to humidify the air for several days at a time.
• Keep all water pots out of the reach of children. While the water seldom reaches a boil, a nasty burn can still occur.