The Problem With Dry Air

April 19, 2016
desert landscape

Adults take about 23,000 breaths a day. Can you tell if the quality of the air you are breathing is decent? As spring arrives, it’s an ideal situation to review your home’s indoor air quality. We will still have cool days in the future and colder air absorbs a lower amount of moisture. This dry air is not only uncomfortable, but it can impact your health and your residence.

Low Humidity Heightens Your Chances of Getting Sick

That you get a cold because of the colder weather outside is an old wives’ tale… but there is some truth to it. As we mentioned, cold air is drier and dry air can result in some health challenges. The mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses dry out when humidity is lower, so they are unable to do their task of cleaning out germs. This heightens your chances of your family getting an illness.

Dry Air Harms Your Skin

In the Franklin & South Indy winter, you could see that your skin feels dry and itchy. Shortage of humidity is the culprit. Lotion can be a solution to treat the symptoms, but investing in a whole-home humidifier could provide a remedy the actual issue.

Damages to Your Home

The lower amounts of moisture in your home’s air can also damage the wood around your home—baseboards, floors, furniture—because the air takes moisture from these items. You could even end up with cracks in the walls and floors.

Checking for Dry Air

Although itchy skin and a continuous cold are indications that your indoor air may be dry, there are additional symptoms to keep an eye out for as well:

  • A rise in static electricity
  • Cracks in your home’s flooring
  • Gaps in your trim and molding
  • Loosening wallpaper

Any of these problems signify that it’s possibly time to review your indoor air quality. We are here to help! Call our indoor air professionals at Winters Heating and Cooling.