How Dry Air Affects Your Health
Dry Winter Air Can Make You Sick And Raise Heating Bills.
Naturally you feel dry air in the wettest parts of your body first. Your sinuses, throat, eyes and skin dry out making you uncomfortable. Dry nostrils can even crack and give you a nosebleed. Your body stays healthy at around 35% relative humidity. At 10 degrees outside your home’s indoor relative humidity can be in the single digits especially with dry warm air from your furnace. A whole home humidifier attached to your furnace can help.
Scorched Sinuses, Itchy Skin.
Did you know your sinus cavities are protected by paper thin and fragile mucous membranes? Mucus keeps them pliable. When dry, they crack allowing germs and sickness a direct channel into the bloodstream.
That’s a real problem in winter, when cold bacteria and flu viruses linger longer in the dry air after someone coughs or sneezes or touches a doorknob.
Mucus’ job is to wash viruses and other icky invaders found in your nose and sinus into a little opening at the back of your throat, your uvula. That’s where mucus from sinus cavities drains into your stomach allowing acids to kill the germs.
Your Body Furnace Regulates Temperature.
Body temperature is controlled by secreting moisture from perspiration, which evaporates, absorbing heat from your skin. The dryer the air, the faster evaporation and quicker your body cools.
When it’s cold you feel chilly and turn up the furnace thermostat, drying the air even more causing your body to evaporate moisture and the cooler you feel.
Your furnace then kicks up clouds of dust, pollen, and other allergens that can inflame your sinuses and airways. For some people with asthma, cold and dry air can lead to a narrowing of breathing passages and trigger an attack. Call (815) 726-6264 for help today.
Dry Winter Air Causes Home Damage.
Dry air causes walls, woodwork and your beautiful hardwood floors to dry out, even crack. Electronics can fall victim to static electric charges, requiring expensive repair or replacement.
A whole home central humidifier helps creaky wooden floors, piano or other wood instruments, leather, furniture and more. Plants, animals and furnishings all are affected by dry winter air.
Dry Winter Air Increases Energy Costs.
Low humidity can make you feel cold at normal temperatures leading you to turn up the thermostat. Moist air makes your home warmer allowing you lower heating bills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, for every degree lower, you can save four percent off your heating bill.
Adding humidity is an easy way to stay healthy and lower heating costs this winter. Order true comfort today, Contact PDM online or call (815) 726-6264
Remove Dry Winter Air With A Whole Home Humidifier.
PDM Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Since 1885 has experience in controlling humidity levels, particularly during winter months.
When HVAC systems draw cold outdoor air into buildings and heats it, this process reduces the air’s relative humidity. Installing Aprilaire or Honeywell humidifiers controls indoor relative humidity for a healthier, energy efficient and comfortable home.
“We’ve built our business and reputation over the past 137 years by giving our commercial, residential clients superior service and the latest technologies for added comfort,” according to Jake Mahalik, PDM VP. “After installing a furnace humidifier in the Joliet area, you will feel the difference that humidified air makes on your health and on how comfortable your indoors suddenly feels.”
Call PDM to learn about a whole building air humidifier and furnace tune-up at (815) 726-6264.
PDM Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Since 1885 serves Joliet SW Chicago suburbs.
