There’s a reason why air seems drier during cold weather than in the summer. That’s due to the fact warmer air carries more moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true for your the U.S. house. Using your gas furnace makes your residence feel warmer but can also dry out the indoor air. Dry air can transport a whole host of ailments, like dry skin, cracked lips and make you more likely to get sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your residence’s air and what you can do to counter it.
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the culprit responsible for making your home’s air appear dry. Rather, it’s the combustion procedures.
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 working. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is completely sealed.
A standard furnace, also called an atmosphere furnace, draws air from inside your house to work. Because the furnace continuously needs air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are ideal for keeping your humidity even. They draw all their combustion air from outdoors, but it stays contained within the sealed furnace. As another perk, they keep your house more comfortable while consuming 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 moves into your home during the winter. Reduced humidity means the air will rob 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 comfortable at a time, a whole-house humidifier will transport that comfort across your home.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you upgrade to a whole-home system.
It’s common that cold weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other ailments. That’s since you’re more likely to become sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under particular airflow conditions, air at the right humidity level may also hamper the spread of some viruses. Additionally, it can reduce year-round allergy symptoms.
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you realize just how uncomfortable those conditions can be during winter. Getting a whole-house humidifier will help your skin retain more moisture.
Maintaining your bedroom at the right temperature and humidity level will keep you comfortable at night. It can also decrease loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and basically anything in your house that’s wood doesn’t like it when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air pulls moisture from the wood and causes it to fracture. Keeping your home’s humidity at the correct level will keep your residence’s furnishings looking their best.
Between frequent filter changes and constant refilling, portable humidifiers expect a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs maintenance about once a year, which can be done in tandem with your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the smallest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use a pad. It retains water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets transported 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 obligation, just free Expert advice on how you can keep your home’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.
Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing issue for a very long time. 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 thinking about your higher education journey or counseling someone who is, it’s crucial to... Continue reading
If it’s time to replace your old furnace, don’t assume that a new furnace is your only choice. This may be the go-to choice for most North American homes, but heat pumps are steadily growing in popularity. Still, the question remains: Is a heat pump the best choice for you? Explore several... Continue reading
If you’re realizing that it’s time to upgrade your furnace, an important first step is to determine an efficiency rating. That first choice will influence your up-front costs and what you pay for home heating in the coming years. This guide is intended to inform you about AFUE ratings and... 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.
