Surprising Effects of Dry Air In Your Home

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1609″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]For many of us, humidity is associated only with muggy and uncomfortable summer conditions. However, humidity levels and dry air in the winter play an equally critical role in keeping you healthy and comfortable.

Negative Health Effects of Dry Air

With the drop in temperatures during the winter, the air around you naturally becomes drier. It is actually this decrease in the air’s humidity that causes many of the health problems we commonly associate with cold weather. Due to its lack of natural humidity, cold winter air attempts to draw moisture from anywhere, including from your body. As it draws moisture from your skin, throat, and sinuses, your nose will start to dry out and weaken the mucus your body uses to block harmful viruses and germs. This process makes you more likely to contract a sinus infection, cold, the flu, and experience chapped lips, nosebleeds, and dry, irritated skin.

Dry air inside your home can have similar health effects on your pets. As your home’s humidity drops, the air will attempt to draw moisture from your pet as well. This can cause dry throats and noses, an increase in pet dander, upper respiratory infections, and other health risks.

Negative Comfort Effects of Dry Air

With properly humidified air, static electricity in your home is naturally dissipated. However, static electricity begins to build up when the air is too dry. Static electricity is most commonly associated with painful electric shocks when you touch a metal surface, but it can also warp or damage wood furniture, musical instruments, paper items and cause blankets and clothes to stick together.

Healthy Humidification

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, your home should maintain a humidity level between 30% and 60%. With the outdoor temperatures fluctuating, your level of indoor humidity will also vary. However, keeping a healthy level of humidification in your home will help keep your winter health up and your winter utility bills low. The more humid your indoor air, the warmer you feel, since moist air retains heat more efficiently than dry air. As your indoor air is properly humidified, it no longer needs to pull moisture from your skin, allowing your skin’s natural moisture to retain your body heat. With your body retaining more of its natural heat, you and your family will be less reliant on your heating system to heat your home.

Whole-Home Humidifiers

One of the easiest ways to keep your home at a healthy humidity level during the winter is to add a whole-home humidifier. Unlike individual humidifiers, whole-home humidifiers are installed directly into your system to humidify your entire home, rather than a single room. The humidifier draws water from your main water line and adds it directly into your system’s airflow to humidify the air.

For professional humidification or help with your indoor air quality, call Fayette Heating & Air today at 859-233-0424.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]