Adults take around 23,000 breaths each day. Can you tell if the quality of the air you’re breathing is enough? As spring approaches, it’s an ideal time to assess your home’s indoor air quality. We still have a lot of cool days ahead of us and colder air absorbs a lower amount of moisture. This dry air is not only uncomfortable, but it can impact your health and your home.
Low Humidity Ups Your Chances of Getting Sick
That you attain a cold because cool temps outside is an old wives’ tale… but there is some truth to it. As we said, cold air is drier and dry air can cause you some health problems. The mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses dry out when humidity is low, so they are unable to do their task of cleaning out germs. This increases the chances of your family getting a cold, the flu or another infection.
Dry Air Hurts Your Skin
In the Omaha winter, you could notice your skin seems dry and itchy. Lack of humidity is the issue. Lotion can help you treat the symptoms, but investing in a whole-home humidifier could fix the actual issue.
Damages to Your Home
The lower humidity in your home’s air can also damage the wood in your home—baseboards, floors, furniture—because the air pulls moisture from these items. You may even see cracks in the walls and floors.
Evaluating for Dry Air
While itchy skin and a never-ending cold are tips that your indoor air is lacking moisture, there are a few other symptoms to keep an eye out for as well:
- A rise in in static electricity
- Cracks in the flooring
- Gaps in your home’s trim and molding
- Cracking wallpaper
All of these concerns indicate that it’s possibly time to take a look at your indoor air quality. We are here to offer our expertise! Reach out to our indoor air professionals at The Frazier Company.