Adults breathe around 23,000 times a day. What is the quality of the air you’re breathing?
As we get closer to fall and winter, it’s a great time to look at your home’s indoor air quality. Cooler air holds less moisture. Dry air isn’t just uncomfortable, it can effect your health and your home.
Low Humidity Increases Your Chances of Getting Sick
Getting a cold doesn’t usually happen simply because it’s colder outside. Your chance of ending up with a cold might rise because cold air is less humid than warm air. Less humidity dries out the mucus membranes that line the nasal and sinus cavities. Those membranes are doing the essential job of filtering out bacteria and debris and when they become dry they open up and grow your chance of catching a cold, the flu or another infection.
Dry Air Damages Your Skin
Your skin is your largest organ, take care of it. If you are feeling itchy, lack of humidity could be the culprit. Before you start buying lotion in bulk, think about investing in a whole-home humidifier instead.
Damages to Your Home
If your air lacks moisture, it will try to pull moisture from the things in your home. This might cause damage to the wood around your home and make cracks in the walls and floors.
Checking for Dry Air
Aside from itchy skin and a perpetual cold there are a few ways to check for dry air in your home, like:
- A boost in static electricity
- Cracks in your flooring
- Gaps in trim and molding
- Peeling wallpaper
Any of these things could mean it’s time to look into a humidifier and better your indoor air quality.
We want to help ensure those 23,000 breaths you take every day are as good as they can be. Your health and home are our top priority. Call us at 515-278-2900 and chat with one of our indoor air professionals to help you identify the perfect balance of humidity and comfort in your home. If it’s more convenient for you, we’ve made it easy to set up an appointment with us online too.