Adults breathe around 23,000 times a day. Have you stopped to think about the quality of air in your home? As we get through the colder months and into the days of spring, it’s a perfect chance to look in to your home’s indoor air quality. There are a lot of opportunities for cold weather and the cooler air means less moisture. Dry air isn’t just uncomfortable, it can effect your health and your home.
Low Humidity Increases the Odds of Getting Sick
Getting a cold doesn’t usually happen simply because it’s colder outside. The risk of getting a cold may increase because cold air is less humid than warm air. The lack of humidity dries out the mucus membranes that line the nasal and sinus cavities. Those membranes are doing the important job of removing bacteria and debris and when they get drier they open up and boost your chance of catching a cold, the flu or another infection.
Dry Air Affects Your Skin
Your skin is your largest organ, take care of it. If you are feeling extra itchy, the absence of humidity might be the culprit. Before you start buying lotion in huge volumes, think about adding a whole-home humidifier as another solution.
Damages to Your Home
If your indoor air doesn’t have an adequate amount of moisture it will work to pull moisture from the things in your home. This might result in the wood in your home becoming damaged and create cracks in the walls and floors.
Checking for Dry Air
Other than itchy skin and a perpetual cold there are a handful of ways to check for dry air in your home, including:
- An increase in static electricity
- Cracks in your flooring
- Slits in trim and molding
- Peeling wallpaper
Any of these problems could mean it’s time to consider a humidifier and better your indoor air quality.
We want to help be sure those 23,000 breaths you take every day are as good as possible. Your health and home is a greatest priority. Call us at 740-200-5591 and talk with one of our indoor air experts to help you strike the perfect humidity level for your indoor space.