Dropping temperatures and the coming snowfall means everyone is turning on the heat! And once furnaces start to kick in, you may notice a lot more static electricity in the air. But what exactly is static electricity? Static electricity is the result of an imbalance between positive and negative charges within a material that occurs when electrons move from one material to another.

 Take a look below at some of the most common sources of static shocks in winter, and find out how to get rid of static on clothing and how static guards can help.

 

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Dry Air

Humidity is one of the biggest factors when it comes to static shocks because it acts as a conduit for the painful, static zaps. Dry air doesn’t allow electric charges to dissipate or find balance in the same way that humid air does. This means that some items gain a positive charge, leading to a sudden transfer when they come into contact with a negatively charged item—and zap! You’ve got a static shock.

Clothing Materials

Certain everyday fabrics are more likely to hold a negative charge and cause more static shocks than others. Wool, nylon, and polyester are the materials most susceptible to static shock, but if you want to learn how to get rid of static on clothing, check out static guards! They can help eliminate static and prevent static cling as well.

Clothing Straight Out of the Dryer

When your clothing is being dried in your dryer, the different fabrics rub against each other and create a static charge. That’s where dryer sheets come in handy! Dry sheets have anti-static properties that reduce the chance of your clothes sticking together in the dryer and creating static electricity. You can also rub dryer sheets on other areas where you’re experiencing static shock, like door handles or metal parts of your vehicle.

Around Gas Pumps

In general, static shocks aren’t dangerous even though they’re uncomfortable. The only sites where they could pose a serious problem are at the gas pump or near other flammable areas. Because of this, the American Petroleum Institute recommends touching your metal door to release any static charge before touching the gas nozzle.

Preventing Static Shock at Home

If you’re experiencing a lot of static shocks during dry, cold weather, then you may need help balancing your humidity levels. With AprilAire Whole-House Humidifiers, you can easily balance your humidity levels, allowing electrons to move to the moisture in the air rather than sit on surfaces, waiting to shock you.

Bonus point! Balanced humidity levels can also help reduce your energy costs in the winter season by making you feel warmer in your home at lower temperatures.

Want to learn more about adding balanced humidity to your home? Find your local AprilAire Healthy Air Professional to get started!

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