Homeowners are especially aware of effects of dry weather on their skin, furniture and homes during winter months -- when heat use is at a maximum.

That's why homeowners and apartment-dwellers are turning to humidifiers to solve at least one of the hazards of an ever-changing climate.

Relative humidity is the percentage of moisture in the air compared to its maximum capability to hold in humidity. The recommended measurement inside homes is between 35 and 45 percent.

"Without humidifiers, you can end up with cracks the size of toonies in your hardwood floors and damage to musical instruments," says Barb Timmer, owner of Humidifier Sales and Service in Calgary.

Dry noses and throats are some common health problems that can stem from dry homes, she adds.

A quick fix to the lack of moisture is installing a humidifier that works with a furnace at restoring lost moisture to the air.

But beware of what can go along with this new moisture, say the experts.

"You want something that produces a vapour, not a mist because of risks of bacteria being put back into the air," warns Timmer.

The simplest model is a tray that attaches to a furnace, releasing water into the air when the heat kicks on, which costs about $40.

An evaporative plate can be added for an extra $40, to cut down on bacteria.

Furnace-mounted humidifiers range from the basic to the fully-automated, such as U.S.-based Aprilaire's versions.

Some high-end automated selections even track outdoor temperature and adjust the interior humidity accordingly, to prevent dreaded window condensation.

Self-contained, more costly automatic models might be best for apartment-dwellers who have no control over their furnaces, or those with hot water heat.

A cheap alternative for rented digs is a table-top vapourizer or humidifier, found at stores such as the Bay, London Drugs and Sears from $17 to $200.

Warm-mist variations are preferred over cold, as the water is boiled prior to release, cutting down on airborne germs.

"The biggest problem is you're left with build-up on the filter from minerals in our water," says John Wootton, of A-1 Chesney Air Care.

Timmer agrees.

"Once you leave a humidifier on and bacteria builds up, you're putting more than moisture in the air," she says.

"You can also burn out the motors, spend more money on the parts and even flood because of clogging."