Do Heat Pumps Dry Out the Air? What MA Homeowners Should Know
If you just installed a heat pump—or you’re thinking about it—you may have heard someone say: “Heat pumps dry out your air in winter.”
For Massachusetts homeowners already dealing with bone-dry indoor air once the heat kicks on, that sounds like a deal-breaker.
But here’s the truth: heat pumps don’t dry out your air any more than other heating systems. In many cases, they actually help maintain better humidity levels. The key is understanding how humidity works in cold climates like ours.
Let’s break it down.
Why Massachusetts Homes Feel So Dry in Winter
Before we blame the heat pump, we need to talk about physics.
Cold outdoor air naturally holds less moisture. When that cold air gets pulled into your home—through drafts, ventilation, bathroom fans, or just normal infiltration—and then gets heated up, its relative humidity drops.
That means your skin starts to feel itchy, floors and furniture shrink and creak, static electricity becomes a daily annoyance, and your sinuses feel like the Sahara.
This happens with every heating system—furnaces, boilers, electric baseboards, and yes, heat pumps. It’s not the heating system causing the problem. It’s winter in New England.
Do Heat Pumps Actually Remove Moisture?
Short answer: not in heating mode.
A heat pump only dehumidifies when it’s running in cooling mode during the summer. In the winter, it’s simply extracting heat from outside and transferring it indoors. There is no moisture removal step happening.
In fact, compared with a gas furnace—which blasts super-hot, dry air—heat pumps often feel more comfortable because they deliver gentler, more even heat throughout your home.
So Why Do Some People Think Heat Pumps Dry Out the Air?
There are a few reasons you might feel drier even though the heat pump isn’t the cause:
You’re bringing in more cold, dry outside air. If your home isn’t air-sealed or insulated well (and let’s be honest, a lot of older Massachusetts homes aren’t), your heat pump may run more consistently. That means cold air is sneaking in through gaps around attic hatches, rim joists, old windows, and outdated door weatherstripping. More cold air infiltrating equals more dryness.
You’re heating the home to a higher temperature. Heat pumps provide very steady, comfortable heat—so homeowners often bump the thermostat a degree or two higher than they used to. And the warmer the air gets, the lower the relative humidity becomes. It’s not the heat pump’s fault, but the effect is real.
You replaced a furnace with a heat pump. Even though heat pumps run gentler, the transition from a furnace cycle (hot blasts, cooldown periods, hot blast again) to consistent heat can feel different. Many people mistake the familiar “warm rush of air” from a furnace for “better humidity,” even though furnaces typically dry the air out more.
How to Fix Dry Indoor Air in Massachusetts
Good news: dryness is fixable—and you don’t need to ditch your heat pump to solve it.
Add a whole-home humidifier. These mount onto a ducted air handler and automatically maintain ideal indoor humidity, typically between 30–50%. They’re especially effective if you’re using a ducted heat pump, you previously had a furnace humidifier, or you just want a set-it-and-forget-it solution.
Use a portable humidifier in key rooms. Great for bedrooms and living rooms. Not ideal for maintaining humidity throughout your whole house, but still helpful where you spend the most time.
Air seal and insulate your home. Mass Save makes this a no-brainer with generous incentives for air sealing and insulation work. Less cold air sneaking in means higher indoor humidity and lower heating costs. It’s a win on both fronts.
Keep fan settings on “Auto,” not “On.” Running the fan constantly can re-evaporate condensation on coils during shoulder seasons, which can slightly lower humidity levels.
The Bottom Line: Heat Pumps Don’t Create Dry Air—Winter Does
Heat pumps aren’t the villain here. They don’t remove moisture in heating mode, they often maintain better comfort than a furnace, and they pair seamlessly with whole-home humidifiers. They also improve overall air quality and temperature consistency throughout your home.
Dryness is a home envelope issue, not a heat pump issue.
And if you’re upgrading to a heat pump in Massachusetts? Pairing it with proper insulation and air sealing is the secret to a more comfortable, less-dry home all winter long.
Thinking About a Heat Pump? Endless Energy Can Help.
Endless Energy has installed thousands of heat pumps across Marlborough, Framingham, Worcester, Waltham, and the rest of Massachusetts. We’ll help you choose the right system, understand available rebates, and make sure your comfort—and your indoor air—stay balanced year-round.
Want a free in-home heat pump consultation? We’re open Monday–Friday 8am–7pm, and Saturday–Sunday 8:30am–5pm.
Call us to book 508-625-9102
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