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 home 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.
