There’s a reason why air feels drier in the winter than when it’s hotter. That’s due to the fact warmer air holds extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true inside your Columbus residence. Using your gas furnace makes your house 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 combat it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Steps are a share the Trouble
The fuel your furnace uses isn’t the thing responsible for making your house’s air feel dry. Rather, it’s the way it combusts.
There are two different kinds of gas furnaces, standard and high efficiency. With an older standard furnace, you can detect light from the burners when it’s running. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is tightly sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your home to combust. Because the furnace consistently depends on air to burn, it will also draw in cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn lowers your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known 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 bonus, they keep your house more comfortable while needing 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 drifts into your house during the winter. Decreased humidity means the air will steal moisture quickly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It’s also to blame for static electricity.
How to Even Out Humidity in Your Residence
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room comfortable at a time, a whole-house humidifier will transport that comfort around your residence.
These are just a few humidifier benefits you’ll get when you install a whole-home system.
Better Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s common that winter is the worst time for colds, flu and other illnesses. That’s due to the fact you’re more likely to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under specific airflow conditions, air at the specific humidity level can also slow the spread of some viruses. Additionally, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you understand just how uncomfortable those conditions are during winter. Getting a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Improved Sleep
Maintaining your bedroom at the preferred temperature and humidity level will keep you more comfortable at night. It can also decrease loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Protects the Wood in Your Residence
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and just about anything in your house that’s wood is affected 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 home’s humidity at the correct level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Needed
Between regular filter changes and continuous refilling, portable humidifiers rely on 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 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 is off.
Book Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your residence’s air feels less than comfy during colder weather, Stevenson Service Experts can help. Call us at 614-334-3192 to set up a free home comfort consultation. There’s no obligation, just free Expert advice on how you can keep your house’s humidity at just the right 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.