The impact of dry air in the winter is attributed to the dry heat of the air being pumped into the home, and that’s partially true. It’s also because cold air dries out the membranes of the nose which can also lead to the common cold invading the body.
In the heat of summer, the drying of the air through the use of air conditioning is the leading cause of dry air which can also impact your health.
The Impact of Dry Air on Your Family and Home
Low humidity in the air attacks the mucous membranes of the sinuses which can lead to colds and allergy attacks.
Along with a dry nasal cavity, you and your family can experience dry skin. Extremely itchy skin can cause the entire family to scratch uncontrollably. This can lead to the purchase of extra bottles of lotion, but it also leaves the skin abraded and vulnerable to skin irritations from other sources. When children scratch, they are also leaving behind bacteria from under their nails which can lead to skin infections.
Dry air in the home doesn’t just impact the health and wellness of your family. It can also have an impact on the home itself. When the air lacks moisture and humidity, it can dry out the wood of the home.
We all know that humidity in the home can cause the wood of doorways, doors and walls to swell. The opposite can happen when the home lacks moisture. The wood will contract which causes the same problems with cracking and warping of the wood. This impacts the structural integrity of the home.
Why Does Cool Air Become Dry with Air Conditioning?
The air conditioning unit works as a large air humidifier which removes much of the heat as well as the moisture from the air in the home. It’s common for people out in the heat to complain that it’s not the heat that bothers them as much as it is the humidity in the air. While you could be in a home that is 70 degrees and cool, the outdoors could be 70 degrees and incredibly warm depending on the moisture in the air.
The air conditioning system that is working in balanced harmony will remove enough humidity and expose the home to enough cool air to make it comfortable for the family inside the dwelling. Moisture is collected by the condenser which is sent to the evaporator coil and removed from the home.
The home with the correct size of air conditioning unit that is working properly will never have dry or humid air. It’ll be the correct temperature with the right amount of moisture.
How to Know the Air is Too Dry
- If you notice that your skin is itchy, cracked or dry, your home air conditioning unit may not be working properly. Although, you should always moisturize your skin to ensure it’s not the body’s fault.
- Peeling wallpaper is a sign of a home that has too much or not enough moisture in the air.
- Contracting doorways and doors are a sign that the air is too dry. If you notice that the doorways aren’t level, that’s a reason to check the air quality.
- Cracks in the floor or thresholds or gaps in the trim or molding is a sign of dry air. You might notice more static electricity when walking across your carpets too.
Steps to Fixing the Dry Air in the Home
- Have an air conditioning technician check the home for air quality.
- Add a humidifier to the air conditioning system.
- Upgrade the system (perhaps consider a split A/C system) or make repairs.
It might help to have an expert take a sample of the air in the home to learn how much moisture is lacking. An air conditioning repair company can send a technician to test the air quality of your home and recommend a fix for the problems you have specifically. It could be a dying A/C unit, one that’s working too vigorously for the size of the home or one that just needs a humidifier.
