How To Combat Dry Air Symptoms In Winter

Winter brings with it many wonderful things. However, it also comes with several inconveniences, such as frigid temperatures. Dry indoor air is also something you have to contend with. Dry air might not sound like a severe issue, but it can actually cause several potentially harmful problems. Most homeowners often ignore their indoor air quality. They do not realize how much it impacts their health and comfort and only take notice when dry air symptoms pop up. This article discusses dry air symptoms and what it does to your home’s air quality. It also includes a few suggestions on how you can resolve the issue.

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Causes Of Dry Indoor Air During The Winter

Dry air is when the water vapor level in the environment is very low or non-existent. Although water vapor is typically present in the air, the temperature can affect it. Cold air cannot hold moisture, unlike warm air. As a result, dry air is a more common occurrence during the winter season.

Humidity refers to how much water vapor is in the air. The humidity level inside your home can determine how comfortable your home will be. Some of the usual suspects for dry indoor air are:

Faulty Or No Insulation

The right balance of moisture in the air means that the home’s air quality is up to standards. Having too little can indicate that your home might not be adequately insulated. A central heating system reduces the humidity level inside your home. However, as long as there is enough moisture in the air, the balance should be maintained. Holes, gaps, or cracks around your home allow dry air from outside to go inside your home. This only reduces the humidity level indoors further and will cause discomfort to your household.

Lost Humidity Is Not Replaced

The humidity level decreases when you turn on your heating or cooling system. The amount of moisture lost should be replaced. Otherwise, the air inside your home will remain dry.

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How Dry Indoor Air Affects Your Health & Home

Prolonged exposure to dry air can cause a few issues to your health and home. Some of these are listed below:

• Respiratory Issues: Dry air can make it hard for you to breathe. This is because it constricts your airways. This is especially a problem for people who suffer from chronic respiratory issues like asthma. You are likely to experience symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.
• Dry Skin And Other Problems: Dry air causes itchy and flaky skin. It can also result in dry and brittle hair. If you are already sick with the flu, dry air can aggravate your symptoms and cause dry, itchy eyes and chills.
• Damage Wooden Furniture And Structures: Dry air causes warpage on wood. This can pose a problem for your hardwood floors, wooden window frames, doors, and furniture. The wood will deform, dry out, or crack. Your windows, doors, cabinets might not open or close properly as well. Dry air can also cause wall damage, such as wallpaper peeling off and paint cracking. Other things dry air can damage include books, musical instruments, and paintings.

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What Homeowners Can Do To Remove Dry Air

Here are a few things you can do to make sure that the balance of moisture in your home is maintained:

• Look For Air Drafts: Carefully check your house for any holes, gaps, and cracks. These allow outdoor air to come in, so get them fixed immediately. Also, make sure to have the home insulation checked as well. This will help improve your indoor air quality and it will also reduce your home heating costs.
• Use A Humidifier: A humidifier significantly alleviates a dry indoor environment as it adds moisture to the air. There are compact humidifiers for small spaces. However, consider installing a whole-house humidifier instead so that you can improve the indoor air quality in your whole house. This way, you receive a more effective and cost-efficient comfort.
• Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance: Regular HVAC tune-ups are vital to ensure that your unit is in excellent working condition. The best time to have it checked is before the start of the winter months. A professional HVAC company will be able to detect and resolve any problems. A well-maintained HVAC system will ensure healthy indoor air quality and keep your home safe for your health.

 

Conclusion

Don’t let your family suffer from poor indoor air quality, especially during the cold season. If you are experiencing dry air, have them fixed correctly to improve your home conditions and get your home winter-ready. Winter means staying indoors a lot and the best way to enjoy your time inside your home is to keep your home environment safe and comfy.

Call Tevis Energy For Fast & Affordable Home Comfort Services

Tevis Energy offers high-quality HVAC services in the area. We have professionally certified technicians who conduct superior heating and cooling maintenance, repairs, installations, and replacements, among others. All our friendly techs have extensive skills and training and years of experience to service all HVAC make and models correctly.

Rest assured that our company can help you when you need to replace or repair your current HVAC unit. We provide affordable HVAC service rates in the area. Your satisfaction is important to us, so all our work comes with a guarantee. Your home’s energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort are our priorities. Book an appointment with us by giving Tevis Energy a call today. We offer free, in-home consultations.

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