You may not notice the immediate effects, but indoor humidity levels can significantly impact your health and well-being over time. The good news? With modern technology, homeowners have more control than ever over their home’s IAQ (indoor air quality).
Most people already know that too little humidity can lead to dry skin, and too much moisture in the air can foster mold and bacteria growth. But there’s much more to examine in the relationship between humidity and your health.
At Hoock’s Heating & Cooling, we recommend St. Louis area homeowners strive to maintain humidity levels between 40% and 60%. This article explains five reasons why keeping home humidity within this range can positively impact your health.
1. Improved Respiratory Health
Dry air irritates the respiratory system, leading to symptoms like dry throat, coughing, and even nosebleeds. In low-humidity conditions, the mucous membranes in your nose and throat dry out, leading to discomfort and vulnerability to airborne pathogens.
Dry air is one major factor that makes illnesses more common in winter. Here’s why: mucous membranes are our body’s first line of defense against airborne viruses and bacteria. When they’re dried out, these valuable defense systems can’t effectively trap harmful pathogens entering your nose.
But it’s not just dry air impacting your overall respiratory health. For individuals with allergies or asthma, overly humid air can trigger conditions due to increased mold and dust mites.
2. Enhanced Skin Health and Appearance
It’s not the frigid temperatures that have you reaching for the moisturizer during winter – it’s the low humidity. Dry indoor air wreaks havoc on your skin, especially during the colder months.
Low humidity pulls moisture from your skin, leading to itching, flaking, and increased irritation. If you already suffer from conditions like eczema or psoriasis, dry air can exacerbate flare-ups, making your skin more vulnerable to cracks and infection.
When you maintain balanced humidity levels (40%-60%), your skin can retain its natural moisture, eliminating the need for excessive lotions and creams.
Finally, believe it or not, humidity can help you look better! Chances are you’ve heard that staying hydrated helps your skin. Similarly, the right amount of moisture in the air helps your skin heal more effectively and improves its overall appearance. That alone is reason enough to invest in a whole-house humidifier!
3. Reduces the Spread of Viruses
There is one group that thrives in excessively low humidity: viruses. Several scientific studies have shown when the air is too dry, virus particles stay airborne longer, increasing the likelihood of inhalation and infection. Conversely, a well-regulated humidity level can prevent the spread of airborne viruses by weighing down virus particles and limiting their ability to remain in the air.
This data underscores the importance of maintaining proper humidity levels, especially during flu season, so do your family a favor and reduce the chances that viral infections will spread throughout your home.
4. Prevents Allergy Triggers
On the other end of the spectrum, many pathogens survive best in high-humidity environments. Mold, dust mites, and other common allergens that negatively impact indoor air quality thrive in moist environments. Prolonged exposure to them can worsen allergy symptoms, including sneezing, itching, and congestion.
High outdoor humidity is a common source of discomfort in warmer months, particularly in the Midwest. And while you can’t control the weather, homeowners can create an indoor environment optimized for healthy living by proactively taking steps to mitigate issues, like installing a whole-house dehumidifier.
5. Promotes Better Sleep
To fully understand the relationship between humidity and health, you must understand the connection between humidity and sleep. In recent years, the importance of consistent, restful sleep has received a great deal of attention in both academic and popular media circles.
The right humidity level can improve sleep. Dry air can cause throat irritation, nasal congestion, and snoring, disrupting sleep quality without you even noticing (although you’ll probably realize the throat irritation when you wake up in the morning). Conversely, air that’s too humid can make it uncomfortable to sleep, leading to restlessness and sweating.
You can focus on several environmental factors to create a sleep-friendly home, and maintaining optimal humidity should be at the top of your list. Lastly, taking steps to regulate humidity is even more critical if any residents in your home suffer from sleep apnea or asthma.
Optimize Your Environment with Hoock’s Heating & Cooling
We’re all looking for ways to improve our health, and Hoock’s Heating & Cooling can help your family breathe a little easier. By monitoring and optimizing your home’s humidity levels technologies, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing your environment encourages overall wellness.
If you’re interested in exploring whole-home humidification technologies that will have you breathing a little easier no matter the conditions outdoors, contact a member of our team today to schedule a consultation.