The average person breathes around 23,000 times a day. Are you aware of the air you are breathing in? As we move through the colder months and into the days of spring, it’s a perfect chance to look at your home’s indoor air quality. There are plenty of cool days on the horizon and the cooler air holds less moisture. Dry air isn’t just uncomfortable, it can play a role in your health and your home.
Low Humidity Increases Your Chances of Getting Sick
Ending up with a cold doesn’t usually happen the time of year when colder weather hits. The risk of ending up with a cold could rise because cold air is less humid than warm air. Lower 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 dry out they open up and grow your chance of getting a cold, the flu or another infection.
Dry Air Impacts 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 purchasing lotion in bulk, consider investing in a whole-home humidifier instead.
Damages to Your Home
When the air in the home doesn’t have enough moisture it will attempt to pull moisture from the objects in your indoor space. This could result in the wood in your home becoming damaged and create cracks in the walls and floors.
Checking for Dry Air
Aside from itchy skin and a perpetual cold there are a handful of ways to assess how much moisture is in your home, including:
- An uptick in static electricity
- Cracks in your floors
- Breaks in trim and molding
- Wallpaper that is coming down
Any of these issues could mean it’s time to think about a humidifier and better 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 is a greatest priority. Call us at 636-206-4250 and talk with one of our indoor air pros to help you find the best humidity level for your indoor space.