Wednesday 25 January 2017
Extreme Low humidity in winter months leads to chronic cough
Well, there is a period of time towards the end of summer when the monsoon rains hit and the humidity spikes. This year, it only lasted for about a week. Last year, it was a good six weeks. Most years, it’s maybe two weeks where the dew point climbs into the 70s. In my eyes, it doesn’t matter what the temperature is. A dew point in the 70s is always miserable.
The interesting part about this is that these weeks when the humidity spikes also happen to be weeks where the temperature drops. People around me are excited for the days when it only gets up to 95 degrees, and I’m looking at the 74 degree dew point wondering how it could possibly be any worse.
I spent most of the summer of 2015 in Mississippi, and I grew up in North Dakota. I can assure you that the humidity in those to places during the summer is far worse than it is in Phoenix.
Phoenix also has problems with long term low humidity. Now I love the dry air. It’s why I live in Phoenix. We tend to get a good 10 months of dry air every year, and it’s flipping awesome. However, I have to apply lotion constantly, and I have to use a humidifier in my bedroom to keep from developing a chronic cough in December to February.
The other problem that low humidity causes is that it is extremely easy to get dehydrated. I tell people that when they visit Phoenix, but everyone has to figure it out on your own. I drank a lot of water when I lived in North Dakota. I’m talking a good four to six 12–16 ounce glasses a day. When I moved to Phoenix, it wasn’t enough. I have 32 ounce cups that I fill up at least five times a day now to keep myself hydrated. In a four-hour round of golf, I will drink a gallon of water during the summer. I consume levels of water that I never dreamed possible, and I always seem to be able to get fully hydrated.
But hey. My clothes aren’t drenched when I’m finished with that round of golf, and that’s an advantage…right?
Tuesday 24 January 2017
Absolute vs. Relative Humidity - What’s the Difference?
Sep 25, 2014 6:34:00 PM
Absolute humidity is the measure of water vapor (moisture) in the air, regardless of temperature. It is expressed as grams of moisture per cubic meter of air (g/m3).
The maximum absolute humidity of warm air at 30°C/86°F is approximately 30g of water vapor - 30g/m3. The maximum absolute humidity of cold air at 0°C/32°F is approximately 5g of water vapor - 5g/m3.
Relative humidity also measures water vapor but RELATIVE to the temperature of the air. It is expressed as the amount of water vapor in the air as a percentage of the total amount that could be held at its current temperature.
Warm air can hold far more moisture than cold air meaning that the relative humidity of cold air would be far higher than warm air if their absolute humidity levels were equal.
Relative humidity is cited in weather forecasts as it affects how we “feel” temperature.
Visit our New Zehnder Academy Here
As an example, consider two containers:
Container one has a maximum volume of 30g of water and is half full- it contains 50% of its capacity.
Container two has a maximum volume of 5g of water and is three quarters full- it contains 75% of its capacity.
Container one contains four times as much water as container two, yet actually contains a lower percentage.
If we now call container one “summer” and container two “winter”, we can start to differentiate between “absolute” and “relative” humidity.
Human body temperature is dependent on the air as it absorbs and removes moisture from our skin to cool us down. If the relative humidity is high, the amount of water evaporating from our skin is limited so we feel warm and stifled.
What are the potential consequences of extreme humidity levels?
High and low levels of relative humidity within the home can have adverse effects for the occupants as well as the dwelling itself. Hygiene, health, retention of value, aesthetics and comfort are all areas which can be affected by a failure to maintain an optimal level of relative humidity.
Health and comfort
This graph shows that by maintaining an optimal indoor RH of 40-60% the potential adverse effects for occupants, and the dwelling itself, are at their lowest levels.
A pleasant indoor climate is essential for a sense of well-being in the home. Room humidity can have a major impact on the quality of the living environment. A relative humidity (RH) of 40-60% is generally considered to be optimal for a comfortable and healthy home. Too much moisture can lead to mold and overheating. Too little causes dry eyes, chapped lips and an environment in which bacteria and viruses can thrive.
Fluctuations in indoor RH are caused by the following factors:
- Everyday domestic activities
- Use of showers and baths
- Natural transpiration of people, animals
How does a Zehnder Enthalpy Exchanger help?
The Zehnder Enthalpy (Energy) Exchanger recovers both thermal and humidity energy from the stale air extracted from wet rooms around the home. This additional humidity energy, which would otherwise have been lost, is transferred into the incoming fresh air stream before being supplied to habitable rooms. Choosing the Enthalpy Exchanger, rather than the standard heat exchanger, means that the unit becomes an Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system, as opposed to solely a Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system. The Zehnder Enthalpy Exchanger is designed to help maintain comfortable moisture levels within the home.
Monday 23 January 2017
Zero carb diet - helps with depression, brain fog, diabetes, chronic pain, energy levels
I am eating zero carb to manage my Type 2 Diabetes. I am interested in other peoples' reasons?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)