The Problem with Dry Air

April 19, 2016

The average person breathes nearly 23,000 times a day. What is the quality of the air you’re breathing? As we move through the colder months and into the days of spring, it’s a perfect chance to reevaluate your home’s indoor air quality. There are a lot of opportunities for cold weather and the cooler air holds less moisture. Along with the impact dry air has on your home comfort, it can impact your health and your home.

Low Humidity Increases Your Chances of Getting Sick

Getting a cold doesn’t normally happen the time of year when colder weather hits. The risk of catching a cold may increase because cold air is less humid than warm air. Less humidity can wreak havoc on your sinus and naval cavities by causing it to become dry. Those membranes are doing the essential job of monitoring for bacteria and debris and when they get drier they open up and grow your chance of getting an illness, such as the cold or flu.

Dry Air Affects Your Skin

Your skin is your largest organ, take care of it. If you are feeling extra itchy, reduced of humidity could be the culprit. Before you rush to the store to start buying lotion in large quantities, consider adding a whole-home humidifier as a more long-term alternative.

Damages to Your Home

If your air lacks moisture it will work to pull moisture from the items in your house. This might cause damage to the wood around your home and create cracks in the walls and floors.

Checking for Dry Air

Other than itchy skin and a neverending cold there are a few ways to assess how much moisture is in your home, including:

  • An uptick in static electricity
  • Cracks in your floors
  • Gaps in trim and molding
  • Peeling wallpaper

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

We want to help ensure those 23,000 breaths you take each day are as good as possible. Your health and home is a greatest priority. You can contact us at 479-308-8176 and chat with one of our indoor air pros to help you identify the best solutions for achieving home comfort and the right amount of moisture.