The zap of static electricity shocks can be annoying and downright painful. However, you don’t have to put up with these unpleasant jolts as a necessary part of winter living. Instead, by achieving the proper humidity level in your home, you can get static electricity under control.

Why Static Shocks Happens

The humidity level of the air around you affects how electrons in the environment behave. In humid air, free electrons slide over your body. In dry air, however, free electrons have a tendency to stick to you.

Then, when you touch a metal doorknob or something else that conducts electricity well, those electrons transfer to that object. In the process, they’re likely to give you an unpleasant shock.

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Do Humidifiers Help with Static Electricity?

If the air in your home is too dry, you’re more likely to get static shocks. Therefore, increasing the humidity level can help you solve this problem. You can balance the humidity level of your home in Brea, CA, with a whole-house humidifier from Econo Air.

Of course, you don’t want your home to be too humid either. Although this won’t affect the static level in your house, it can cause other issues, such as damaging furniture or encouraging mold growth. If your whole-house humidifier is set too high, you might start to experience problems like these. Therefore, it’s best to have a home humidifier professionally installed by an air quality specialist who can correctly adjust your system. You may even need a dehumidifier during certain times of the year.

What Else You Can Do

Although installing a whole-house humidifier is your best defense against static electricity, additional steps can help as well. For example, placing green plants around your house can further increase your humidity level.

The friction created when sock-clad feet rub along carpeted floors can contribute to a static problem. Consider going barefoot indoors or wearing slippers with leather soles. You can also apply anti-static sprays to your carpeting.

We’re proud to be a local company in Brea, CA, that offers to heat and cooling services as well as electrical and plumbing assistance. Along with dehumidifiers, our team can also provide you with other recommendations for improving your indoor air quality. To learn more, reach out to Econo Air today.