Dry Air Problems And How To Correct Them With Heating And AC Repair Service | Spring, TX
Most people dread the high humidity levels of the summer. But have you ever stopped to consider what would happen if the air in your Spring, TX home is too dry? Yes, the air in your home can be too dry. According to the EPA, the ideal relative humidity in any building should be between 30% and 50%. Too little moisture in the air can cause many problems for your health, home, and belongings. Here are the common dry air problems and how reliable heating and AC repair service can help combat them.
Dry Air Is Bad for Your Health
Some of the health problems associated with dry air include:
Respiratory Conditions
Dry air can cause the airways to narrow, making it difficult to breathe. This process is called bronchoconstriction and can have adverse effects on asthmatic individuals. It causes various symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Skin Problems
The skin starts to dry out if the moisture in the air dries out. This leads to skin irritation, itching, chapping, flaking, and tightness around the joints. Dry air can also cause eczema, acne, and other existing skin conditions to flare up.
Eye Irritation
Dry can affect the tear film, which protects the cornea from damage. Small dry patches may form on the eyes, leaving you vulnerable to other irritants.
Other symptoms that can occur due to dry air include;
- Nosebleeds
- Sore throat
- Increased stress
- Dermatitis
- Dehydration
- Increased risk of getting a cold, flu, or even pneumonia
Dry Air Leads to Static Electricity
Static electricity in your house naturally dissipates when the humidity is at optimum levels. However, it can start building up if the air becomes too dry. This causes clothes and blankets to start sticking together. You may also experience painful electric shock when you touch metal surfaces. Our heating and AC repair service in Spring, TX, professionals can provide an indoor air quality assessment and recommend a practical solution for your dry air problem.
Dry Air Can Cause Damage to Your Home
Dry air absorbs moisture wherever it can find, which often means your furniture and belongings. You may notice that hardwood floors become warped and start creaking. Wooden structures like door jabs and walls may begin to shift. This makes it difficult to open and close doors and windows. It will also create gaps between the ceiling and walls, letting cold air into your home.
Dry air also pulls moisture from furnishings. Wooden furniture can start bending and eventually crack, while musical instruments lose shape. Paper items like artwork and books may become brittle and wrinkled. Dry air in your home can also lead to cracked wallpaper, ruined wine, and dried-out leather.
How Can You Prevent Dry Air in Your Home?
It may not be possible to avoid dry air altogether, especially in winter. However, you don’t have to let it cause damage to your health and home.
Whole-Home Humidifier
The best way to fight dry air in your house is to install a whole-home humidifier with the help of professional heating and AC repair service. It uses a humidistat to monitor the humidity levels in your home and triggers the system to kick in when it detects insufficient moisture levels in the air. The main types of whole-house humidifiers include bypass, power, and steam humidifiers.
Bypass humidifiers use the airflow created by the furnace or air handler to deliver moisture to areas in your home that need it. They require minimal maintenance and can be installed in the attic or basement.
Power humidifiers require an electric fan to deliver moisture throughout your house. Some models can humidify your home even when the HVAC isn’t running. Steam humidifiers have to boil water to create steam, which then travels through the ductwork and into your house.
The right humidifier for your house depends on three main factors – the size of the house, hot water access, and maintenance. Humidifiers come in different sizes and power levels. That said, power and steam humidifiers are great for large homes (3000+ square feet). A bypass humidifier is an excellent option if you have a smaller home.
If you aren’t sure what the right humidifier for your house is, our heating and AC repair service can assess your home and point you in the right direction.
Keep Up with AC Maintenance
Keeping up with yearly heating and AC repair service can go a long way toward preventing some of these issues. Our heating and AC repair service team is always willing to check your system and answer any questions about indoor humidity levels. We’ll also point you in the right direction should you need humidifier or dehumidification products. You can call Mr. Reliable Heating & Air to discuss a tailored maintenance plan for your HVAC.
Check for Air Leaks and Seal Them
Dry air can get into your home through gaps in the doors and windows and suck moisture out of the air. Sealing these gaps can help keep warm air inside and protect you and your loved ones from the effects of dry air. It will also reduce the use of the fireplace, which will dry the air further.
Try These Tricks
Other tricks that can help add moisture to the air in your home include:
- Bringing your plants indoors
- Using the stovetop more often to boil water or cook
- Leaving the dishwasher door open and pulling out the dish rack when drying the dishes
- Hanging clothes up on a rack to air dry rather than using the dryer
- Keeping the bathroom door open as you shower and let the steam escape
While these small steps won’t solve your dry air problems, every little bit of moisture in the colder months helps.
Say “No” to Dry Air with Our Expert Heating and AC Repair Service
Mr. Reliable Heating & Air is a trusted heating and AC repair service company in Spring, TX. We understand the toll dry air can take on your health, home, and valuables. By controlling humidity levels and maintaining optimal indoor air quality, we ensure that you and your loved ones are happy and healthy throughout the seasons. Contact us today to learn more about our heating and AC repair service and humidity control options to manage dry air in your house.
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