Adults take around 23,000 breaths each day. Do you know if the quality of the air you are breathing is decent? As spring approaches, it’s a great time to assess your home’s indoor air quality. We still have a lot of cool days coming up and colder air absorbs less moisture. This dry air is not only uncomfortable, but it can affect your health and your house.
Low Humidity Increases Your Chances of Getting Sick
That you catch a cold because of the colder weather outside is an old wives’ tale… but there is something to it. As we mentioned, cold air is drier and dry air can cause you some health issues. The mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses dry out when humidity is lower, so they’re not doing their function of cleaning out germs. This heightens your chances of getting a cold, the flu or another infection.
Dry Air Damages Your Skin
In the Pacheco winter, you might find your skin seems dry and itchy. Absence of humidity is the issue. Lotion can help to treat the symptoms, but an investment in a whole-home humidifier could fix the actual problem.
Damages to Your Home
The lower humidity in your home’s air can also affect the wood around your home—baseboards, floors, furniture—because the air pulls moisture from these items. You may even end up with cracks in the walls and floors.
Watching for Dry Air
Even though itchy skin and a perpetual cold are signs that your indoor air may be dry, there are some other symptoms to keep an eye out for as well:
- A rise in in static electricity
- Cracks in the flooring
- Openings in your trim and molding
- Loosening wallpaper
Any of these problems signify that it’s probably time to review your indoor air quality. We’re happy to lend a hand! Contact our indoor air professionals at Clean Air HVAC.