Adults take around 23,000 breaths each day. Can you tell if the quality of the air you’re breathing is decent? As spring arrives, it’s a great situation to evaluate your home’s indoor air quality. We still have a lot of cool days coming up and colder air retains a decreased amount of moisture. This dry air is not only uncomfortable, but it can take a toll on your health and your residence.
Low Humidity Ups Your Chances of Getting Sick
That you get a cold because cool temps outside is an old wives’ tale… but there is some truth to it. As we mentioned, 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 can’t do their task of filtering out germs. This heightens the chances of your family getting a cold, the flu or another infection.
Dry Air Damages Your Skin
In the Chelan and Wenatchee winter, you might notice your skin seems dry and itchy. Absence of humidity is the problem. Lotion can help to treat the symptoms, but putting an investment towards a whole-home humidifier could fix the actual culprit.
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 perpetual cold are tips that your indoor air is too dry, there are some other symptoms to keep an eye out for as well:
- A rise in in static electricity
- Cracks in the flooring
- Spaces in your trim and molding
- Cracking wallpaper
Any of these problems indicate that it’s probably time to take a look at your indoor air quality. We can offer our expertise! Contact our indoor air professionals at Lakeside Heating & Air.