Whether you realize it or not, the health impact of low humidity in your home can be significant. Low humidity can result in dry skin, sinus issues, interrupted or poor sleep and an increased risk of infection.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the negative health impacts of low humidity in your home and what you can do to prevent them.
The Dangers of Low Humidity
A house with low humidity can negatively impact the health of everyone living in your home, especially during winter months when the air outside is often even drier than inside. Not only is dry air uncomfortable, but it can also trigger health issues like exacerbating allergies and irritation of the nose, throat, and skin.
Low humidity in your house can also lead to frequent static shock when touching appliances or metal fixtures.
It can also potentially damage hardwood floors and wooden furniture due to moisture loss in the wood, causing shrinking or cracking.
How to Tell if the Air in Your House Too Dry
The best way to measure the humidity level in your home is to use a hygrometer. This tool measures the amount of water vapor (humidity) in the air. There are also some thermostats on the market that can measure home humidity levels.
Of course, you can also contact our team to conduct an evaluation of humidity levels in your house as part of an Indoor Air Quality evaluation.
The Health Impact of Low Humidity
Low humidity can have many impacts on human health. Generally, relative humidity levels below 30 percent can cause various problems ranging from mildly annoying to health-threatening.
For example, sinusitis and other respiratory conditions can be triggered by overly dry air.
Low humidity can also cause the body to lose necessary moisture through increased perspiration, leading to feelings of dehydration despite adequate hydration from drinking water. This, in turn, can lead to headaches, muscle fatigue, and poor sleep.
In addition, because dry air dries out the natural oils that keep our skin supple and moisturized, low humidity levels can lead to uncomfortable dryness and skin irritation.
How to Increase the Humidity in Your Home
Adding more moisture to the air in your home can improve air quality, reduce static electricity, and benefit the health of the people in your home.
One of the easiest ways to increase humidity is by using humidifiers. We offer a full line of whole-home humidifiers depending on your needs and budget.
You can also use houseplants to boost humidity organically. As plants absorb water, they naturally release it into the environment.
Other alternatives include running a hot shower or boiling a pot of water on your stove will quickly raise humidity levels in your home.
No matter which method you choose to improve the moisture levels in your living space, be careful not to create too much humidity, which can lead to mold and other problems. A healthy home humidity is between 30-45%.
Summary
Low humidity levels in your home can be dangerous, but there are practical ways to increase the humidity level if you know the problem.
If you are concerned about the air quality in your home, contact Air Comfort of KY today for an Indoor Air Quality evaluation. We will work with you to ensure your home is safe and comfortable for you and your family.
