There’s a reason why air feels drier in the winter than in the summer. That’s because warmer air carries more moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true inside your the U.S. residence. Turning on your gas furnace makes your residence feel warmer but can also dry out the indoor air. Dry air can bring a whole host of ailments, including dry skin, cracked lips and make you more exposed to getting sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your house’s air and what you can do to fix it.
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the thing responsible for making your house’s air feel dry. Rather, it’s the combustion process.
There are two different types of gas furnaces, standard and high efficiency. With an older standard furnace, you can see light from the burners when it’s heating. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is totally sealed.
A standard furnace, also called an atmosphere furnace, draws air from inside your house to work. Because the furnace consistently requires air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your home’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are best for keeping your humidity balanced. They take all their combustion air from outdoors, but it stays locked within the sealed furnace. As an extra perk, they keep your residence more comfortable while using less energy. Moving to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace could save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
Besides combustion, cold air also naturally seeps into your residence during colder weather. Reduced humidity means the air will snatch moisture rapidly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also causes static electricity.
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room comfy at a time, a whole-house humidifier will generate that comfort throughout your residence.
These are just a few humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you switch to a whole-home system.
It’s no surprise cold weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other ailments. That’s since you’re more susceptible to become sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under certain airflow conditions, air at the right humidity level might also slow the spread of some viruses. In addition, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
If you have consistently dry skin or eczema, you understand just how uncomfortable those conditions make you during winter. Getting a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture.
Preserving your bedroom at the ideal temperature and humidity level will keep you cozy at night. It can also reduce loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and just about anything in your residence that’s wood is affected when humidity is too low. This is a result of the fact dry air pulls moisture from the wood and causes it to split. Balancing your home’s humidity at the right level will keep your residence’s furnishings looking their best.
Between frequent filter changes and constant refilling, portable humidifiers depend on a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs maintenance about once a year, which can be done along with your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the lowest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use a pad. It retains water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets moved through your ductwork. As it’s independently powered, it can be in use when the furnace is off.
If your residence’s air feels less than pleasant during cold weather, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. Call us at 866-397-3787 to arrange a free home comfort consultation. There’s no sales tactics, just free Expert advice on how you can keep your house’s humidity at just the correct level. And, like our other services, our work is backed by our legendary 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for one year.*
*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.
Student loan debt in the United States has been a growing concern for many years. Today’s total student debt is more than $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re considering your academic journey or advising someone who is, it’s important to weigh... Continue reading
If you’d like to replace your old furnace, don’t assume that a new furnace is your only choice. This may be the default choice for most North American homes, but heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular. Still, the question remains: Is a heat pump your ideal heating system? Explore several... Continue reading
If you’re considering an upgrade to your furnace, an important first step is to determine an efficiency rating. That first choice will have an effect on your up-front costs and what you pay for home heating down the road. This guide is intended to inform you about AFUE ratings and how they... Continue reading
There’s no reason to skip your seasonal maintenance that saves energy and helps ensure your air conditioner and heater will work reliably all season long.
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.
