No one likes hot, humid weather but there are times when the lack of humidity, or moisture in the air, causes unhealthy conditions indoors. The cold air of winter carries much less moisture than warm air, and as it comes into your home and gets heated by your heating system, the relative humidity drops to low levels. In arid climates, low humidity can occur in summer because your air conditioner removes moisture from the air.
Either one of these scenarios isn’t a good thing, and your health and home may suffer. A whole-home humidifier is the answer. Here are seven signs that you may need a whole-home humidifier.
1. Frequent Colds or Cold-like Symptoms
Do you frequently wake in the mornings with a sore, scratchy throat or often reach for a box of tissues because you have a runny nose? The cause of your symptoms may be low humidity in your home. Low humidity dries out the mucus membrane lining your respiratory tract. This hinders its ability to keep out microbes like cold viruses. A whole-home humidifier can alleviate your symptoms.
2. Dry, Itchy Scalp and Skin
“Winter skin” is a common phenomenon in cold weather. If skin and scalp moisturizers alone aren’t relieving your itchy, flaky skin, the air in your home is likely too dry. You’re suffering because the dry air around you is drawing the moisture right out of your skin and hair. This leaves you feeling dry and scaley.
Of course, with any health-related symptoms, you should check with your doctor, but a whole-home humidifier could relieve your symptoms if they are due to low humidity.
3. Dry Eyes
Low humidity can also dry out your eyes. The dry air increases the evaporation of tears and interferes with the natural moisture balance in your eyes. A film of tears is crucial for the health of your eyes and defending the cornea from foreign particles that can be blown into your eyes. When the humidity levels in your home fall to between 15% and 25%, the effect on the mucus membranes in your eye will be visible.
4. Worsening Allergy Symptoms
Do you or someone in your household have chronic respiratory issues like allergies or asthma? Dry indoor air is your worst enemy. Episodes of coughing and sneezing increase and feel worse. That’s because dry air is allergen-friendly.
For homes with allergy and asthma sufferers, a whole-home humidifier is a must-have. You’ll feel better during the day and sleep better at night.
5. Nose Bleeds
If you or a family member are suddenly having nosebleeds, dry air could be the reason why. A lack of moisture in the air dries out the mucus in your nasal passages, and they become irritated. Check with your doctor to be sure that another more serious condition is not to blame, but a whole-home humidifier could help to stop the frequent nosebleeds if your indoor humidity level is too low.
6. Constantly Turning the Heat Up
When it’s cold outside, we turn up the heat. But the drier the air, the less heat it will hold. When it’s hot outside, we crank up the air conditioning, which removes moisture from the air. The cycle continues and runs up your energy bill in both situations. Stay more comfortable and save money with a humidifier that works along with your HVAC system.
7. Damage to Your Belongings
Over time, consistently low humidity will have negative effects on household goods. Dry air can pull moisture from wood furniture and floors causing them to warp and crack. Materials like wallpaper can also dry up and peel. It can even affect musical instruments like guitars and pianos, making them difficult to keep tuned.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, there is one sure way to find out if they were brought on by low humidity. Measure the level of humidity in your indoor air with a hygrometer. The reading should fall in the 35% to 50% range. If you determine that low humidity is the culprit, contact Efficiency Plumbing in Hanover and ask about our home humidifier installation today. We can also address all of your plumbing, heating, and air conditioning needs from water heaters to pipe repair, furnace and AC installation and repair, and more. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment.
