The Problem with Dry Air

April 19, 2016

The average person breathes approximately 23,000 times a day. Are you aware of the air you are breathing in? As we progress from colder weather and into the days of spring, it’s a perfect opportunity to look in to your home’s indoor air quality. There are a lot of cool days on the horizon and the cooler air contains less moisture. While drier air may decrease your comfort levels, it can impact your health and your home.

Low Humidity Increases the Likelihood of Getting Sick

Getting a cold doesn’t normally happen simply because it’s chilly outside. The risk of ending up with 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 critical job of monitoring for bacteria and debris and when they become dry they open up and increase your chance of getting a cold, the flu or another infection.

Dry Air Affects Your Skin

Taking care of your skin is important, especially since it’s your largest organ. If you are feeling extremely itchy, reduced of humidity could be the issue. Before you head out to begin buying lotion in large quantities, think about adding a whole-home humidifier as another solution.

Damages to Your Home

If your air lacks moisture it will try to pull moisture from the items in your indoor space. This may cause damage to the wood around your home and make cracks in the walls and floors.

Checking for Dry Air

Other than itchy skin and an everlasting cold there are some other ways to assess how much moisture is in your home, such as:

  • An increase in static electricity
  • Cracks in your flooring
  • Gaps in trim and molding
  • Wallpaper that is coming down

Any of these things could mean it’s smart to think about a humidifier and better your indoor air quality.

Our team wants to ensure those 23,000 breaths you take every day are the best possible. Your health and home should be your highest priority. You can contact us at 256-270-1196 and speak with one of our indoor air pros to help you strike the perfect solutions for achieving home comfort and the appropriate amount of moisture.