Adults breathe approximately 23,000 times a day. What is the quality of the air you’re breathing? As we get through winter and into the beginning of spring, it’s a perfect opportunity to reevaluate your home’s indoor air quality. There are a lot of cool days on the horizon and the cooler air contains less moisture. Dry air isn’t just uncomfortable, it can effect your health and your home.
Low Humidity Increases the Likelihood of Getting Sick
Getting a cold doesn’t normally happen colder out. The possibility of getting a cold could grow because cold air is less humid than warm air. Less humidity causes the mucus membranes in your sinus and nasal cavities to dry out. Those membranes are doing the important job of removing bacteria and debris and when they dry out they open up and increase your chance of catching the flu or a cold.
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, lack of humidity may be the culprit. Before you head out to begin buying lotion in bulk, contemplate investing in a whole-home humidifier instead.
Damages to Your Home
When the air in the home doesn’t have enough moisture it will try to pull moisture from the items in your indoor space. This may mean the wood in your home could experience damage and make cracks in the walls and floors.
Checking for Dry Air
Apart from itchy skin and a neverending cold there are a handful of ways to check for dry air in your home, like:
- An increase in static electricity
- Cracks in the floors
- Slits in trim and molding
- Wallpaper that is coming down
Any of these problems could mean it’s smart to look into a humidifier and improve your indoor air quality.
We want to help be sure those 23,000 breaths you take each day are as good as they can be. Your health and home are our greatest priority. Call us at 256-801-4701 and talk with one of our indoor air pros to help you strike the best humidity level for your indoor space.