There’s a reason why air feels drier in the winter than when it’s hotter. That’s because warmer air retains more moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true inside your Hurricane home. Starting your gas furnace makes your home feel warmer but can also dry out the indoor air. Dry air can carry a whole host of ailments, including dry skin, cracked lips and make you more susceptible to getting sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your house’s air and what you can do to resolve it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Steps are a share the Problem
The fuel your furnace needs isn’t the source responsible for making your house’s air appear dry. Rather, it’s the combustion process.
There are two different styles of gas furnaces, standard and high efficiency. With an older standard furnace, you can notice light from the burners when it’s working. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is entirely sealed.
A standard furnace, also called an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your home to combust. Because the furnace constantly requires air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn lowers your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also referred to as a sealed combustion furnace, are best for keeping your humidity balanced. They pull all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays trapped in the sealed furnace. As an extra advantage, they keep your house more comfortable while consuming less energy. Switching to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace might save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
In addition to combustion, cold air also naturally moves into your home during colder weather. Lower humidity means the air will rob moisture quickly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also contributes to static electricity.
How to Stabilize Humidity in Your Home
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room comfy at a time, a whole-house humidifier will spread that comfort across your home.
These are just a few humidifier benefits you’ll get when you upgrade to a whole-home system.
Enhanced Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s typical that cooler weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other sicknesses. That’s because you’re more apt to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under particular airflow conditions, air at the correct humidity level might also restrict the spread of some viruses. In addition, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
Eases Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you recognize just how irritating those conditions can be during winter. Adding a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture.
Improved Sleep
Keeping your bedroom at the preferred 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.
Protects the Wood in Your Residence
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally anything in your house 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. Having your residence’s humidity at the right level will keep your home’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Needed
Between regular filter changes and continuous 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 stores water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets transported through your ductwork. Because it’s independently powered, it can run when the furnace is off.
Book Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Right Away
If your home’s air feels less than pleasant during the winter, Teays Valley Service Experts can help. Call us at 304-760-5088 to request a free home comfort consultation. There’s no sales tactics, just free Expert suggestions on how you can balance your home’s humidity at just the proper level. And, like our other services, our work is protected 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.