Low Humidity in Your Home Can Cause Illness or Infection
Humidity, or the amount of water vapor in the air, is an important health variable that is easy to overlook, yet very easy to fix.
In the winter, the colder the temperature, the faster the air becomes dry. Additionally, running your heating system more frequently, only further drops indoor humidity levels.
Low humidity inside your home is not only uncomfortable; it can become a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria! Research shows that flu viruses survive longer, and spread more easily when humidity levels are low.
Furthermore, exposure to low humidity levels can dry key immune functions in the body, making your body more vulnerable to catching a cold, the flu, or a number of other infections.
To temporarily increase the humidity, try some of these tricks:
- Inhale the steam from a cup of hot tea
- Sit in your bathroom while running a hot shower
- Boil a large pot of water on the stove
- Use small space humidifiers
- Drink lots of water
To more permanently solve the problem—install a whole-house humidifier, which will create a healthier and more comfortable environment in your home. As a bonus, when the humidity level goes up, you’ll feel warmer at a lower thermostat setting, and that means you’ll save money on your heating bill!
Call or email us today to request an appointment with one of our indoor air quality experts.
