The Problem with Dry Air

April 19, 2016

Adults breathe approximately 23,000 times a day. What is the quality of the air you’re breathing? As we progress from the colder months and into the days of spring, it’s a great time to look at your home’s indoor air quality. There are plenty of opportunities for cold weather and the cooler air contains less moisture. Dry air isn’t just uncomfortable, it can impact your health and your home.

Low Humidity Increases the Likelihood of Getting Sick

Ending up with a cold doesn’t normally happen the time of year when colder weather hits. The risk of ending up with a cold may grow because cold air is less humid than warm air. Lower humidity can wreak havoc on your sinus and naval cavities by causing it to become dry. Those membranes are doing the important job of removing bacteria and debris and when they dry out they open up and grow your chance of getting an illness, such as the cold or flu.

Dry Air Affects Your Skin

Our skin is our largest organ, so it makes sense that we should pay close attention to it. If you are feeling extra itchy, the absence of humidity might be the problem. Before you head out to begin buying lotion in large quantities, think about getting a whole-home humidifier as another solution.

Damages to Your Home

When the air in the home doesn’t have enough moisture it will attempt to pull moisture from the items in your indoor space. This could mean the wood in your home could experience damage and produce cracks in the walls and floors.

Checking for Dry Air

Aside from itchy skin and an everlasting cold there are a few ways to check on the moisture levels in your house, like:

  • An increase in static electricity
  • Cracks in your flooring
  • Gaps in trim and molding
  • Peeling wallpaper

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

Our team wants to make sure those 23,000 breaths you take each day are as good as they can be. Your health and home should be your greatest priority. Call us at 614-879-9091 and speak with one of our indoor air experts to help you identify the best balance of humidity and comfort in your home.