Adults take about 23,000 breaths each day. Do you know if the quality of the air you are breathing is decent? As spring arrives, it’s an ideal occasion to assess your home’s indoor air quality. We have plenty cool days in the future and colder air absorbs a decreased amount of moisture. This dry air is not only uncomfortable, but it can affect your health and your residence.
Low Humidity Heightens Your Chances of Getting Sick
That you catch a cold because of the colder weather outside is an old wives’ tale… but there is a little truth to it. As we mentioned, cold air is drier and dry air can result in some health issues. The mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses dry out when humidity is lower, so they’re not doing their job of filtering out germs. This enhances the possibility of coming down with a cold, the flu or another infection.
Dry Air Damages Your Skin
In the Lake Forest winter, you might notice your skin is dry and itchy. Shortage of humidity is the problem. Lotion can be a solution to treat the symptoms, but investing in a whole-home humidifier could fix the actual culprit.
Damages to Your Home
The lack of moisture in your home’s air can also impact the wood around your home—baseboards, floors, furniture—because the air takes moisture from these items. You may even end up with cracks in the walls and floors.
Checking for Dry Air
While itchy skin and a continuous cold are indications that your indoor air is lacking moisture, there are some other symptoms to keep an eye out for as well:
- An increase in static electricity
- Cracks in the flooring
- Gaps in your trim and molding
- Cracking wallpaper
Any of these problems suggest that it’s likely time to take a look at your indoor air quality. We can help! Call our indoor air professionals at 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc..