As adults, the number of breathes we take is approximately 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 start of spring, it’s a great opportunity to look in to your home’s indoor air quality. There are a number of chances for colder days yet and the cooler air contains less moisture. Along with the impact dry air has on your home comfort, it can impact your health and your home.
Low Humidity Increases the Odds of Getting Sick
Catching a cold doesn’t typically happen colder out. The risk of getting a cold may increase because cold air is less humid than warm air. The lack of humidity causes the mucus membranes in your sinus and nasal cavities to dry out. Those membranes are doing the critical job of filtering out bacteria and debris and when they dry out they open up and increase your chance of catching a cold, the flu or another infection.
Dry Air Impacts Your Skin
Our skin is our largest organ, so it makes sense that we should pay close attention to it. If you are feeling extremely itchy, the absence of humidity could be the culprit. Before you rush to the store to start buying lotion in bulk, contemplate investing in a whole-home humidifier as another solution.
Damages to Your Home
When the air in the home doesn’t have enough moisture it will try to pull moisture from the things in your home. This may mean the wood in your home could experience damage and create cracks in the walls and floors.
Checking for Dry Air
Apart from itchy skin and a perpetual cold there are a few ways to check for dry air in your home, such as:
- A boost in static electricity
- Cracks in your floors
- Slits in trim and molding
- Wallpaper that is coming down
Any of these problems could mean it’s smart to consider a humidifier and improve your indoor air quality.
Our team wants to make sure those 23,000 breaths you take each day are as good as possible. Your health and home are our greatest priority. You can contact us at 336-853-6070 and talk with one of our indoor air professionals to help you find the ideal balance of humidity and comfort in your home.