Here at Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, we do more than just make homes comfortable; we also
make them healthier. That’s because the quality of the air you breathe
at home can have a direct effect on your health, and we offer several different products that will ensure your home’s air is clean.
During winter, indoor air is naturally drier due to low humidity levels,
and that can be problematic to your health, especially during cold and
flu season. Today we’re going to talk about the effects of low humidity
on the health of you and your family and how Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning can help keep
your home’s humidity is at a safe level!
Why is Low Humidity a Problem During Winter?
Low humidity means that there is a lack of moisture in the air. Unlike
during summer, when outdoor humidity levels are high because there is too
much moisture in the air, outdoor humidity levels are low during winter because
there is too
little moisture in the air. And when humidity levels are low outdoors, they will
be low inside of your home as well if you don’t do anything to take
care of it.
What are the Health Effects of Low Humidity in Your Home?
Some of the most common health effects of having low humidity in your home include:
- Dry skin
- Dry and itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Bloody nose
- Cracked lips
- Dry sinuses
To make matters worse, viruses, bacteria, and germs live longer in conditions
of low humidity. As a result, it’s easier for colds and flu to
be contracted and spread in homes that have low humidity levels. Low humidity
also dries out your mucous membranes, which are your body’s first
line of defense against colds and flu. When your mucous membranes are
dried out, viruses and bacteria can bypass your body’s normal defense
mechanisms and get directly into your system.
In addition, low humidity makes symptoms worse for anyone who suffers from
asthma or
allergies. This is true for a couple of reasons. First, the low humidity dries out
allergens and asthma triggers in your home, which allows more of them
to float in the air where it’s easier to breathe them in. Second,
many of the symptoms of low humidity listed above are also allergy symptoms,
which makes the effects of those symptoms twice as bad.
How Can Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning Help Keep Your Home’s Humidity at a Healthy Level?
The best way to keep your home’s humidity levels at a healthy level
is to install a whole-house humidifier in your home. Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning installs
humidifiers that will work with your new or existing furnace and will
control the humidity levels of your entire house. Along with the many
health benefits of installing a whole-house humidifier, it will also protect
your home from damage and reduce your heating costs.
If you have any questions about the effects of low humidity on your health,
or if you’d like a heating system serviced or installed in your
home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your
St. Charles furnace installation and repair contractor. We provide service all over the St. Louis area, including towns like
Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, and Clayton, MO.
