There’s a reason why air appears drier during colder months than when it’s hotter. That’s because warmer air holds additional moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true for your Oklahoma City residence. Using 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 likely to get 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 Procedures are a Portion of the Issue
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the thing responsible for making your house’s air appear dry. Rather, it’s the combustion process.
There are two different types of gas furnaces, standard and high efficiency. With an older standard furnace, you can detect light from the burners when it’s working. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is entirely sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your home to work. Because the furnace consistently depends on air to burn, it will also draw in cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn lowers your residence’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are ideal for keeping your humidity balanced. They take all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays trapped inside the sealed furnace. As another bonus, they keep your home more comfortable while requiring 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®.
In addition to combustion, cold air also naturally seeps into your home during cold weather. Reduced humidity means the air will snatch moisture fast from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It’s also to blame for static electricity.
How to Balance Humidity in Your House
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room pleasant at a time, a whole-house humidifier will spread that comfort across your residence.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll receive when you put in a whole-home system.
Improved Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s no surprise winter is the worst time for colds, flu and other ailments. That’s due to the fact you’re more apt to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under specific airflow conditions, air at the right humidity level can also restrict the spread of some viruses. In addition, it can reduce year-round allergy symptoms.
Eases Dry Skin
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 hold onto more moisture.
Better Sleep
Maintaining your bedroom at the ideal temperature and humidity level will keep you more comfortable at night. It can also alleviate loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Guards the Wood in Your Home
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally anything in your residence 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 split. Keeping your residence’s humidity at the right level will keep your residence’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Required
Between frequent 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 performed at the same time as your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the lowest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use a pad. It retains water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets distributed through your ductwork. Because it’s independently powered, it can work when the furnace isn’t running.
Schedule Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your home’s air feels less than cozy during the winter, Gordon's Service Experts can help. Call us at 405-432-2197 to set up a free home comfort consultation. There’s no sales tactics, just free Expert suggestions on how you can balance your house’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.