People often associate high humidity with an uncomfortable environment. There’s no doubt that when the moisture level is too high in a home that it will cause discomfort and end up placing additional strain on the AC. However, the opposite problem, low humidity, can also create severe issues. Not only does it make it harder to keep warm, but excessively dry air can also trigger health problems in a home.
If you have experienced low humidity in your home (a good indicator is if static electricity has become a nuisance), then get in touch with Westland Heating & Air Conditioning and arrange for installation of a humidifier in Avon Lake, OH. Our indoor air quality professionals offer both humidifier and dehumidifier services so you can have the balanced indoor humidity necessary for comfort, energy savings, and better health.
Health conditions and low indoor humidity
Low humidity is principally an issue during the winter, and it can lead to an increase in colds and flus in a household. Dry air leads to inflamed and dried-out mucus membranes along the respiratory tract. Since these membranes are one of the body’s principle defenses against communicable diseases, when they dry up it will become easy for illnesses to spread from person to person. Dry conditions also allow for a number of viruses to survive longer outside of the human body, making the chance of catching a cold or flu even higher.
Dry air will also cause skin, nose, eye, and throat irritation. There is a specific danger to eyes, because low humidity causes tears to evaporate faster, leaving the eyes exposed to damage.
As skin loses moisture to the dry air (which also takes heat with it, the reason low humidity makes cold temperatures feel worse), it will start to develop cracks and become itchy. Cracked skin also serves as a path for illness to enter your body.
Although there are a number of methods you can use to increase humidity in your home, you must be cautious about maintaining balance. Too much humidity and you will have a whole different set of problems. The best way to be certain of achieving the correct balance is to contact indoor air quality professionals and schedule the installation of a whole-house humidifier.
You can count on the experience of the technicians at Westland Heating & Air Conditioning to see that you receive our professional installation of a humidifier in Avon Lake, OH. Give us a call today if you are suffering from dry air in your home.
