Static electricity is an unpleasant and common occurrence in the winter months. You’ll notice it as static cling in laundry fresh from the clothes dryer, having your hair fly up as you comb it, or as a painful jolt when you touch a light switch, a metal object or even another person. Static shocks are not only discomforting and annoying though, they can also cause permanent damage to household appliances and electronics that have low-voltage components.
The Basic Science Behind Static Electricity
A static electrical charge is created by the transfer of electrons when two different materials contact each other. One material ends up with a negative charge, and the other a positive charge. Opposite charges are attracted to each other, and when objects or materials with an excess positive/negative charge get close enough together, the electrons “jump” from one to the other, which releases the charge with a shock or jolt.
How Humidity Affects Static Charges
Static electrical shocks are a winter phenomenon because they occur in dry conditions, and cold air doesn’t hold moisture well. The air inside your home is likely even drier, because your heating system extracts more moisture. When the air holds enough moisture, though, water molecules tend to collect on the surface of objects and materials, and since water is a natural conductor, electrical charges are released easily without having to “jump,” so there’s no shock or jolt.
Tips for Preventing Static Electricity Issues in Your Home
You can combat the uncomfortable and damaging shocks caused by static charges in various ways:
- Wear cotton clothing and socks, because cotton is a poor conductor.
- Avoid rubber-soled shoes; wear ones with leather soles instead.
- Use an anti-static spray on your carpets, furniture and clothing.
- Add moisture-loving potted plants to your decor.
- Put out containers of water so moisture can evaporate into the air.
- Have a whole-house humidifier added to your HVAC system so you can precisely control the humidity level in your air supply.
To learn more about installing a whole-house humidifier to combat static electricity in your Dayton home, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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