As adults, the number of breathes we take is approximately 23,000 times a day. Have you stopped to think about the quality of air in your home? As we move through winter and into the days of spring, it’s a great opportunity to look in to your home’s indoor air quality. There are a number of opportunities for cold weather and the cooler air holds less moisture. While drier air may decrease your comfort levels, it can play a role in your health and your home.
Low Humidity Increases the Likelihood of Getting Sick
Getting a cold doesn’t normally happen colder out. Your chance of getting a cold may rise 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 filtering out bacteria and debris and when they get drier they open up and boost your chance of getting the flu or a cold.
Dry Air Affects Your Skin
Your skin is your largest organ, take care of it. If you are feeling very itchy, the absence of humidity could be the problem. Before you rush to the store to start busting out lotion in large quantities, contemplate getting a whole-home humidifier as another solution.
Damages to Your Home
If your indoor air doesn’t have an adequate amount of moisture it will try to pull moisture from the objects in your indoor space. This might mean the wood in your home could experience damage and produce cracks in the walls and floors.
Checking for Dry Air
Apart from itchy skin and an everlasting cold there are a few ways to assess how much moisture is in your home, including:
- A boost 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 consider a humidifier and improve your indoor air quality.
We want to help make sure those 23,000 breaths you take every day are the best possible. Your health and home are our top priority. Reach out to our team at 715-352-4052 and chat with one of our indoor air experts to help you strike the perfect balance of humidity and comfort in your home.