Adults take approximately 23,000 breaths everyday. Are you sure if the quality of the air your family is breathing is enough? As spring arrives, it’s an ideal time to assess your home’s indoor air quality. We will still have cool days ahead of us and colder air holds a lower amount of moisture. This dry air is not only uncomfortable, but it can affect your health and your residence.
Low Humidity Ups Your Chances of Getting Sick
That you get a cold because of the colder weather outside is an old wives’ tale… but there is a little truth to it. As we said, cold air is drier and dry air can cause you some health challenges. The mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses dry out when humidity is low, so they are unable to do their function of filtering out germs. This enhances the chances of getting sick with the flu, cold or a similar illness.
Dry Air Hurts Your Skin
In the Des Moines winter, you might see that your skin feels dry and itchy. Shortage of humidity is the culprit. Lotion can help to treat the symptoms, but investing in a whole-home humidifier could solve the actual problem.
Damages to Your Home
The lower humidity in your home’s air can also affect the wood throughout your home—baseboards, floors, furniture—because the air will pull moisture from these items. You may even see cracks in the walls and floors.
Watching for Dry Air
While itchy skin and a continuous cold are indications that your indoor air may be dry, there are a few other symptoms to keep an eye out for as well:
- An increase in static electricity
- Cracks in your home’s flooring
- Openings in your home’s trim and molding
- Cracking wallpaper
All of these concerns suggest that it’s probably time to take a look at your indoor air quality. We are here to help! Reach out to our indoor air professionals at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling.