There’s a reason why air feels drier during colder months than when it’s hotter. That’s because warmer air retains more moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true for your Wheeling residence. Turning on your gas furnace makes your house feel warmer but can also dry out the indoor air. Dry air can transport a whole host of ailments, including dry skin, cracked lips and make you more vulnerable to getting sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your home’s air and what you can do to counter it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Steps are a Portion of the Problem
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the culprit responsible for making your residence’s air feel dry. Rather, it’s the combustion procedures.
There are two different kinds of gas furnaces, standard and high efficiency. With an older standard furnace, you can notice light from the burners when it’s on. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is completely sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your house to function. Because the furnace constantly requires air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn reduces your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also referred to as a sealed combustion furnace, are used for keeping your humidity steady. They pull all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays contained inside the sealed furnace. As an additional bonus, they keep your home more cozy while using less energy. Switching to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace may save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
In addition to combustion, cold air also naturally flows into your house during cold weather. Decreased humidity means the air will rob moisture rapidly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also causes static electricity.
How to Even Out Humidity in Your Residence
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room pleasant at a time, a whole-house humidifier will transport that comfort across your house.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you put in a whole-home system.
Enhanced Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s no surprise cold weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other ailments. That’s because you’re more susceptible to become sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under particular airflow conditions, air at the specific humidity level can also restrict the spread of some viruses. Also, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
Relief from Dry Skin
If you have constantly dry skin or eczema, you recognize just how irritating those conditions make you during winter. Adding a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture.
Better Sleep
Maintaining your bedroom at the right temperature and humidity level will keep you comfortable at night. It can also help with loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Guards the Wood in Your Home
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and most anything in your residence that’s wood doesn’t like it when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air draws moisture from the wood and causes it to fracture. Having your house’s humidity at the proper level will keep your residence’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Required
Between consistent filter changes and constant refilling, portable humidifiers require a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs maintenance about once a year, which can be completed along with your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the lowest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t need a pad. It holds water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets distributed through your ductwork. As it’s independently powered, it can be in use when the furnace isn’t on.
Schedule Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your residence’s air feels less than pleasant during the winter, Comfort Masters Service Experts can help. Call us at 847-250-6729 to set up a free home comfort consultation. There’s no obligation, just free Expert suggestions on how you can keep your residence’s humidity at just the correct level. And, like our other services, our work is supported by our well-known 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.