Indoor Air Quality: Scratching the Surface on What Causes Dry Air in Your Home

What do itchy skin, dry eyes, and static electricity have in common? They are all common signs that your home’s indoor air is too dry.

Dry air occurs in your home when the relative humidity drops below 30%. However, there are signs of dry indoor air, and you can take action to mitigate this issue.

Causes of Your Home’s Dry Air

Cold Weather & Heating Systems

In colder months, outdoor air holds less moisture because cold air has a lower capacity for water vapor.

When this dry, cold air is brought inside and heated, it warms up but doesn’t carry moisture with it, decreasing the humidity inside your home.

Lack of Proper Ventilation

During winter, we keep windows and doors tightly shut to conserve heat, which limits fresh air from entering.

Without regular ventilation, the moisture in the air becomes trapped inside, and the air becomes drier over time.

Poor ventilation can also trap pollutants, exacerbating the overall air quality issues.

Home Construction & Insulation

New homes are often built to be airtight and energy-efficient, which can be both a blessing and a curse.

While good insulation helps keep heat in during the winter, it can also mean that moisture is sealed inside with little opportunity for exchange with the outdoors.

The tighter the home’s insulation, the more the indoor air can become excessively dry.

Indoor Activities

Using appliances like clothes dryers, stovetops, and ovens or turning on the fireplace can dry out the air, especially if these activities aren’t well-ventilated.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Use a Humidifier

A humidifier is the most common solution for dry air. They come in different sizes, from portable units for single rooms to whole-house models.

Whole-home humidifiers can increase humidity throughout your home and are integrated into your home’s existing HVAC system. Choosing the right one depends on your specific needs, room size, and budget.

Raise Humidity with Houseplants

Houseplants naturally release moisture into the air, which helps to raise the humidity level in a room while also improving air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

A healthy number of plants can act as a natural humidifier.

Ventilate Your Home

Open windows for short periods or run fans to allow fresh air to circulate, especially in kitchens and bathrooms where moisture can accumulate.

Take Care of Your HVAC System

Perform annual heating tune-ups to ensure the system is running efficiently and effectively. Regular HVAC maintenance can also help prevent dust and debris from circulating, which can contribute to poor air quality.

Stay Hydrated & Moisturize

While these tips will help improve the air in your home, it’s also important to hydrate your body.

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and use moisturizers to keep your skin and lips from becoming too dry

Book Air Quality Services with Len The Plumber Heating & Air

Sometimes, dry indoor air will quietly cause chapped lips, and sometimes, your home’s dry air will give you a spark of static electricity to let you know the humidity levels are out of balance.

At Len The Plumber Heating & Air, we’re experts in ensuring healthy indoor air quality, which means maintaining consistent humidity levels between 30% and 50%.

Call us today to request your indoor air quality analysis in the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley areas!