Earlier this week, we wrote about whole-house humidifiers and how they help control the humidity levels in your home. As we mentioned, the air is naturally much drier during winter in St. Louis both outside and inside.
Dry air in your house has several negative effects on not just the people, but also the objects in your home. If not properly controlled, dry air can lead to costly repairs, higher energy bills, and a few extra trips to the doctor.
Here are some of the most common side effects of dry air and low humidity in your home:
- Effects of dry air on your body. Without enough moisture in your air, your skin, eyes, lips, and throat can dry out. This can lead to itching, irritations and even nose bleeds. Also, dry air in your house makes your body feel colder, which causes obvious discomfort in the wintertime.
- Effects of dry air on your health. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, dry air can make your symptoms even worse because breathing in dry air irritates and inflames your airways. Dry air has also been known to make people more susceptible to infections.
- Effects of dry air on your house. Dry air can cause splits and cracks in wood, trim, and molding around your house. This leads to damage to your walls, floors, and furniture. Also, as mentioned above, people feel colder in the presence of dry air. This can lead to higher energy bills and a less efficient home because people tend to have their thermostat set higher for longer periods in the presence of low humidity.
If you are experiencing any of these effects of dry air around your house, be sure to check the humidity level in your home. If it is too low, you can use a whole-house humidifier to get that needed moisture back in your air. If you have any questions about controlling the humidity levels in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.
