There’s a reason why air appears drier during cold weather than when it’s warmer. That’s since warmer air retains more moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true within your Columbia home. Turning on your gas furnace makes your house 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 residence’s air and what you can do to combat it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Steps are a share the Issue
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the source responsible for making your residence’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 termed an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your home to function. Because the furnace constantly requires air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn lowers your residence’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also referred to as a sealed combustion furnace, are better at keeping your humidity balanced. They pull all their combustion air from outdoors, but it stays locked inside the sealed furnace. As an added perk, they keep your home more comfortable while consuming less energy. Upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace could save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
Other than combustion, cold air also naturally flows into your residence during cold weather. Lower humidity means the air will steal moisture fast from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also contributes to 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 generate that comfort around your residence.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you upgrade to a whole-home system.
Better Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s typical that cooler weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other illnesses. That’s since you’re more susceptible to end up sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under specific airflow conditions, air at the specific humidity level may also resist the spread of some viruses. In addition, it can alleviate year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you understand just how aggravating those conditions can be during winter. Adding a whole-house humidifier will help your skin retain more moisture.
Enhanced Sleep
Maintaining your bedroom at the right temperature and humidity level will keep you more comfortable at night. It can also help with loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Defends the Wood in Your Residence
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally anything in your home that’s wood suffers when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air draws moisture from the wood and causes it to fracture. Keeping your house’s humidity at the proper level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Necessary
Between steady filter changes and constant refilling, portable humidifiers depend on a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs a tune-up about once a year, which can be completed alongside your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the lowest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t require 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 run when the furnace isn’t running.
Request Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Right Away
If your residence’s air feels less than comfortable during cold weather, Midland Air Service Experts can help. Call us at 803-399-7208 to arrange a free home comfort consultation. There’s no sales tactics, just free Expert advice on how you can balance your residence’s humidity at just the proper level. And, like our other services, our work is backed 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.