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Is It Time to Turn On Your Whole-Home Humidifier? Southwest Montana is settling into that in-between season when the answer is not always obvious. Your furnace or boiler may run during a chilly morning, but the house can feel warm again by the afternoon. The forecast for the week of September 21 shows just how different fall can feel across our service area. Bozeman is expected to reach the 70s most of the week, including a forecast high near 80°F on Thursday. Big Sky will remain cooler, with mornings dipping into the upper 30s and low 40s. So, should your whole-home humidifier be running already? The short answer: watch the humidity inside your home instead of relying on the calendar. What Happens to Indoor Humidity During Heating Season? Cold outdoor air holds less moisture than warm air. When that colder air enters your home and is heated by a furnace or boiler, the relative humidity inside can drop. That is why a home may begin feeling dry as soon as the heating system starts running regularly—even if winter has not officially arrived. Common signs of dry indoor air include: Frequent static electricity Dry skin, lips, eyes or throat Wood floors or furniture beginning to shrink or separate A home that feels cooler than the thermostat setting Indoor humidity consistently reading below the desired range These signs do not automatically mean you need more humidity, but they are a good reason to check the actual level. Measure First, Then Adjust An inexpensive digital hygrometer can tell you the relative humidity in your home. Some thermostats and whole-home humidifier controls also display this information. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60% and ideally between 30% and 50%. During a cold Montana winter, the comfortable and practical setting may need to be toward the lower end of that range to prevent moisture from collecting on cold surfaces. Check the humidity in a central living area rather than directly beside a bathroom, kitchen, humidifier supply vent or exterior door. It can also help to check more than one floor if your home has noticeable temperature differences. If the reading consistently drops below about 30%, it may be time to begin using your whole-home humidifier. If humidity remains comfortable without it, there is no need to add moisture simply because fall has arrived. Start With a Conservative Setting More humidity is not always better. Begin with a moderate setting and allow the system time to operate before making another adjustment. Humidity changes more slowly than temperature, so turning the control up sharply can add too much moisture before you notice the results. The appropriate setting depends on several factors: Outdoor temperature The age and construction of your home Window quality Air leakage The number of people living in the home Everyday activities such as cooking and showering Homes in Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan and Three Forks may need different settings than homes in colder, higher-elevation areas such as Big Sky. Ennis homeowners may also experience dry conditions and colder nights earlier than other parts of the region. Watch the Windows Your windows can provide an early warning that the humidifier is set too high. A small amount of temporary moisture near the edge of a window during extremely cold weather can occur, but regular condensation, water running down the glass or dampness around the frame should not be ignored. It can indicate that the indoor humidity is too high for the outdoor temperature or that another moisture issue is present. If you notice condensation: Lower the humidifier setting. Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans when producing moisture. Make sure the dryer vents outdoors. Check that the humidifier is shutting off correctly. Look for plumbing leaks or other moisture sources. Persistent moisture can damage window frames and nearby materials, so it is worth addressing early. Inspect the Humidifier Before Using It A whole-home humidifier should be checked before another heating season. Depending on the style of equipment, basic preparation may include: Replacing or cleaning the water panel Opening the water-supply valve Checking the drain hose for cracks, clogs or loose connections Confirming that the damper is in its winter position Inspecting for mineral buildup Testing the humidistat or thermostat controls Watching for leaks while the unit operates Do not reuse a heavily scaled or dirty water panel to save a little time. Mineral buildup can reduce water distribution and affect how well the humidifier performs. If you are unsure how your specific model should be prepared, check its manual or have it inspected by an HVAC professional. What If Your Home Is Still Dry? If the humidifier is running but the indoor humidity remains low, turning it to the highest setting may not solve the underlying problem. The issue could be: A clogged water panel A closed or restricted water line A blocked drain A humidifier that is not receiving a call to operate An improperly positioned bypass damper Excessive air leakage in the home Equipment that is not sized appropriately for the house The amount of time your furnace runs also matters. Many whole-home humidifiers operate only during a heating cycle. During a mild week, the system may not run long enough to add much moisture—even when the humidifier itself is working correctly. Get Ready Before the Dry Weather Arrives Warm afternoons may stick around a little longer, but colder mornings are already becoming more common across southwest Montana. This is a good time to inspect your humidifier, replace its water panel and make sure it is ready without automatically turning it all the way up. Premier Systems can inspect existing whole-home humidifiers, troubleshoot systems that are not working correctly and help homeowners determine whether adding a humidifier makes sense for their home. For service in Bozeman, Big Sky, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks or Ennis, call 406-599-8083

Cold Mornings, Warm Afternoons: Managing Montana’s Fall Temperature Swings Fall in southwest Montana rarely arrives all at once. One morning may feel cold enough to turn on the furnace, while the afternoon has you opening windows or thinking about the air conditioner again. That is exactly what this week’s forecast looks like. As of September 14, the National Weather Service is forecasting a low near 37°F in Bozeman Monday night, followed by a high near 72°F Tuesday. Belgrade is expected to fall to around 34°F before warming into the low 70s. Higher-elevation areas such as Big Sky may experience even colder mornings. These large temperature swings are normal for the season, but they can make it difficult to keep your home comfortable without constantly adjusting the thermostat. Here are a few ways to help your HVAC system handle the transition efficiently. Avoid Constantly Switching Between Heating and Cooling When the house feels cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon, it can be tempting to switch repeatedly between your furnace and air conditioner. Instead, choose a comfortable heating temperature for the morning and allow the outdoor temperature to warm the home naturally later in the day. Opening blinds on sunny windows can provide free warmth during cooler mornings. Close them again if direct afternoon sunlight begins overheating the house. If your thermostat has an automatic heating and cooling mode, make sure there is a reasonable gap between the two settings. A very narrow temperature range can cause the system to switch back and forth more often than necessary. Do Not Crank Up the Thermostat Setting the thermostat to 80°F will not make your furnace or boiler warm the house faster. It simply tells the system to keep running until the home reaches that higher temperature. Choose the temperature you actually want and give the system time to reach it. If your home takes an unusually long time to warm up, heats unevenly or never reaches the thermostat setting, there may be an airflow, control or equipment issue that needs attention. Test Your Heating System Before the First Real Cold Snap Even if you only need heat for an hour in the morning, early fall is a good time to test your furnace or boiler. Let the system complete a full heating cycle and pay attention to: Unusual banging, rattling or squealing Burning odors that continue after the first few minutes Rooms that remain noticeably colder than others A furnace that starts and stops repeatedly A boiler that is leaking, making unusual noises or struggling to heat evenly A thermostat that does not match how the room feels A brief dusty smell can be normal the first time a furnace runs after summer. A strong electrical, plastic or fuel-related odor is different—turn the system off and contact an HVAC professional. Testing the system now gives you time to address a problem before a colder Montana morning makes heat essential. Check the Air Filter and Keep Vents Open Your HVAC system needs steady airflow whether it is heating or cooling. A dirty filter can restrict that airflow, reduce comfort and make the equipment work harder. Check the filter now, especially if your system ran frequently during the summer or your home was exposed to wildfire smoke, construction dust or pet hair. Replace it when it is visibly dirty or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Also make sure supply vents and return grilles are not blocked by furniture, rugs or boxes. Closing several vents usually does not save energy and may create unwanted pressure within the ductwork. Pay Attention to Indoor Humidity As colder weather settles in and heating systems begin running more regularly, indoor air can become noticeably drier. Dry air may contribute to static electricity, dry skin and irritated noses or throats. A whole-home humidifier can add controlled moisture through the HVAC system, but it should be adjusted according to outdoor conditions. Too much indoor humidity can lead to condensation on windows and other moisture problems. If you already have a humidifier, now is a good time to inspect its water panel, drain and controls. If you do not have one, Premier Systems can help determine whether a whole-home humidifier makes sense for your home. Do Not Seal Up the Outdoor Air Conditioner Once cooling season ends, remove leaves, grass and other debris from around the outdoor air conditioner. Maintain clear space around the unit so moisture and debris do not become trapped against it. Avoid wrapping the entire unit tightly in plastic. A full cover can hold moisture inside and create a sheltered place for rodents. If protection is needed, a manufacturer-approved top cover is generally a better option. Use Fall to Learn How Your Home Behaves Seasonal transitions can reveal comfort problems that are harder to notice during steady weather. One room may warm quickly in the morning while another stays cold. An upper floor may become too warm during sunny afternoons even though the main level feels comfortable. These patterns can point to ductwork, insulation, thermostat placement or airflow issues—not necessarily a problem with the furnace or air conditioner itself. Keep track of when and where discomfort occurs. Those details can make an HVAC evaluation much more useful. Prepare Now for a More Comfortable Heating Season Whether you live in Bozeman, Big Sky, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks or Ennis, fall weather can move quickly from mild afternoons to freezing nights. A little preparation now can help your furnace, boiler and other comfort equipment handle the transition smoothly. If your home is heating unevenly, your system is making unusual noises or you would like help preparing for colder weather, contact Premier Systems at 406-351-6585 or visit premiersystemsmt.com .