There are many key factors that affect the quality and feel of your indoor living space, including temperature, indoor air quality, and relative humidity. Too much or too little humidity can cause several concerns to your health and your home, so it’s crucial that levels are monitored and adjusted as needed.
This problem is typically amplified during the winter when heating equipment and colder weather can cause humidity to drop well below acceptable levels, but exactly how does that affect your home?
6 Ways Dry Air Affects Your Home
The ideal relativehumidity level for maximum comfort and health is between 40% and 50%, and anything below 30% is considered too dry. Humidity levels naturally drop along with outdoor temperatures as cold air can’t hold the same amount of moisture as warm air.
Common effects of dry air include:
- Increased risk of illness: Dry air is the perfect breeding ground for viruses, as the membranes that line the nose and throat lose the moisture they require to trap bacteria and viruses before they can travel through the upper respiratory system and into the lungs. With adequate humidity, airborne particles carrying these types of diseases are lower to the ground, weighted down by drops of moisture, but in a dry climate, they float freely.
- Irritated nasal passages: Low humidity levels rob the inside lining of your nose of much-needed moisture, allowing it to become dry and irritated, and potentially leadingto nosebleeds.
- Dry, itchy skin: Dry air hastens the evaporation of moisture on the surface of the skin, which is over 60% water. In the absence of adequate humidity, skin begins to dry out and may crack, itch, or flake while exacerbating pre-existing conditions such as acne, chapped lips, or eczema.
- Structural damage: Dry air zaps the moisture from everything in its path, including structural wood components of your home, such as framing, wooden windows, hardwood floors, and wooden doors. Just as wood swells when saturated, it shrinks when it’s too dry, which can lead to gaps, air leakage, creaking, and squeaks.
- Static electricity: If you receive a shock each time you touch metal or fabrics are clinging to one another, that may mean your indoor air is too dry.
- Damage to your belongings: Organic materials such as wood and paper can become damaged when the air is too dry. They can become brittle and possibly crack, break, or warp.
Dry Air Solutions
A whole-house humidifier is the perfect solution, seamlessly integrating with your existing HVAC system and supplying much-needed moisture to every room in your home. Once your thermostat is set to the desired temperature, a whole-house humidifier does the rest, adding the perfect amount of moisture quickly and efficiently.
On the flip side is a whole-house dehumidifier, which helps remove the excess moisture from the air in your home and can make your home more comfortable. It also reduces the risk of mold and mildew growth and makes your home less attractive to pests.
That’s why we believe whole-house dehumidifiers are great for the spring and summer while whole-house humidifiers are great for fall and winter.
Whole-House Humidifier & Dehumidifier Installation in the Raleigh–Durham Area
Choose Air Experts for your whole-house humidifier installation and experience the benefits of healthier air. Our highly skilled technicians are chosen for their expertise, integrity, and knowledge, so you can rest easy knowing you’re receiving the best possible service, at the best possible price.
Our Super 7 Guarantees are the cornerstone of our business, and with over 30 years of service in the Raleigh–Durham area we’ve built a solid reputation among homeowners as one of the most trusted HVAC contractors in the area.
Contact us todayfor whole-house humidifier installation in Raleigh or Durham.
As an expert in indoor air quality and home climate control, my knowledge extends across the spectrum of factors that influence the quality and feel of indoor living spaces. I have a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between temperature, indoor air quality, and relative humidity, and I can provide evidence-based insights to substantiate my expertise.
The article highlights the importance of maintaining optimal humidity levels in indoor environments, especially during the winter when heating systems can lead to a significant drop in humidity. Let's delve into the concepts and key factors discussed in the article:
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Relative Humidity and Health:
- The article emphasizes that the ideal relative humidity level for maximum comfort and health is between 40% and 50%. It establishes that humidity levels below 30% are considered too dry.
- It explains the impact of dry air on health, specifically how low humidity levels create an environment conducive to the spread of viruses. The membranes in the nose and throat lose moisture, making it easier for viruses to travel through the respiratory system.
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Effects of Dry Air on the Body:
- The article outlines common effects of dry air on the human body, including an increased risk of illness due to the ideal conditions for virus transmission.
- It describes how low humidity levels can lead to irritated nasal passages and dry, itchy skin. The evaporation of skin moisture is accelerated in dry air, potentially causing discomfort and skin issues.
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Structural Damage and Static Electricity:
- Dry air is shown to have detrimental effects on the structural components of a home, such as framing, windows, floors, and doors. The article explains that dry air can cause wood to shrink, leading to gaps, air leakage, and structural issues.
- It notes that static electricity is a sign of low indoor humidity, affecting personal comfort and potentially indicating the need for humidity control.
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Damage to Belongings:
- The article highlights that organic materials like wood and paper can suffer damage in dry air. These materials may become brittle, crack, break, or warp.
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Humidity Solutions:
- The article introduces solutions to combat dry air, focusing on the installation of whole-house humidifiers. These devices seamlessly integrate with HVAC systems, adding moisture to every room efficiently.
- It also mentions whole-house dehumidifiers as a solution for removing excess moisture, particularly suitable for spring and summer to prevent mold and mildew growth.
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HVAC Services:
- The article recommends Air Experts for whole-house humidifier installation in the Raleigh–Durham area. It emphasizes the expertise, integrity, and knowledge of their technicians, highlighting over 30 years of service in the region.
In conclusion, my expertise lies in understanding the intricacies of indoor climate control, and the concepts presented in the article align with established principles of maintaining optimal indoor humidity for health, comfort, and the preservation of both personal well-being and home integrity.
