As the temperature around Florida becomes warmer, indoor humidity levels rise. While you may enjoy the onset of summer, lack of proper ventilation, and cooling at your home can harm your body.
You can generally start to feel the discomfort that tags along with increasing indoor humidity. However, if you choose to ignore the feeling and don’t make provisions to improve your home’s air quality, you may be putting your mental and physical health at risk.
Here are some ways in which indoor humidity can harm your health:
Your body may begin to overheat
Rising humidity levels can impede your body’s ability to regulate temperature. Your body has a defense mechanism that helps it cool down when the air around you gets hotter. These defensive tactics include sweating, increasing your respiratory rate, and altering your blood circulation.
However, when the air around you has more than 60% humidity levels and is already saturated with water vapors, the sweat released has nowhere to escape and instead sticks to your skin. This can increase your body temperature and make you more uncomfortable.
You may feel heat exhaustion
When sweating doesn’t work, your body may resort to other methods to cool off. This is when you may start breathing heavily, and your heart may start to pump more blood. The energy lost in this process can wear you out and cause dizziness and heat exhaustion. Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to a heat stroke and can be fatal.
Bacteria and viruses thrive in humid conditions
Air-borne diseases caused by viruses are known to spread more rapidly in indoor spaces with high humidity. This means that when humidity levels at your home rise, you’re more susceptible to catch illnesses from your roommates and family members. Amid the pandemic, this can become a significant concern for people in high-risk groups.
Indoor humidity can trigger allergies
Dust mites, mold, and mildew are some of the most common triggers of allergies. In humid conditions, dust mites are known to grow and replicate rapidly, whereas moisture can breed fungi such as mold and mildew.
These contaminants can inhabit the most moisture-prone areas of your home, including the bathroom, kitchen, attic, and basement. Hence, when summer approaches, you should take appropriate measures to curb indoor humidity.
Start by getting your old air conditioner repaired, replaced, or serviced. It may have collected dirt and debris when it wasn’t being used. For reliable air conditioner repair and installation services, reach out to us at Florida Breeze in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach.
