Static is in the Air

Posted by HVACPartsShop.com on Aug 22nd 2017

Heart candy over fractal imageValentine’s Day is long over and while there still may be some love in the air, there’s definitely something else too. Oh, that’s right, its static electricity!

Every winter it’s the same old story – my skin is peeling, my eyes are itchy, my kids are getting nosebleeds and the fear of static electricity is keeping me a mile away from my cat! So what can I do to get over this dry air? Keep reading for tips to add a little moisture to your life.

Why does colder weather bring along drier air?

Well, it’s all about humidity. Humidity equals moisture and while warmer air can carry lots of humidity and moisture, colder air has low humidity and little moisture.

What’s the solution to dry air?

Any HVAC professional will tell you that the simple answer is to install a humidifier. A humidifier will increase humidity in your home by pushing moisture into the air. There are point-of-use humidifiers that are used to reduce dry air in a single room and whole-house humidifier which are connected to your HVAC system and are used to humidify an entire house. The latter of the two can be found and purchased on our website.

There are different types of whole-house humidifiers. Check out our next blog to learn about the pros and cons associated with both power humidifiers and bypass humidifiers.

Besides adding moisture to your house, humidifiers actually make you feel warmer as well. Have you ever noticed how 90 degrees in Southern California feels a whole lot different than 90 degrees in the Midwest? It feels cooler in Southern California, right? That’s because there is less humidity in Southern California and having less humidity actually makes your body feel colder. Put extra moisture into the air in your home to make you feel warmer. With extra humidity you may even be able to lower your thermostat a few degrees, saving you energy dollars.

Besides installing a humidifier in your house (and we highly recommend that you do) there are some other easy methods to fighting dry air and the side effects that accompany it.

  1. Seal your home with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping. Keep the cold, dry air from entering your home.
  2. Hydrate often. Dry air can pull moisture from your mouth, throat and nose. Make sure you are fighting the dry air with extra hydrations.
  3. Shorten your showers. Warm water and the steam will only dry out your skin further.
  4. Moisturize. Use lotion frequently during the dry, winter months, especially after washing your hands and showering.