Why a Gas Furnace Dries Out Your Houses Air and How to Fix It
There’s a reason why air seems drier during colder months than when it’s hotter. That’s since warmer air retains extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true inside your the U.S. home. Turning on your gas furnace makes your home 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 home’s air and what you can do to counter it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Process is a Portion of the Trouble
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the source responsible for making your home’s air feel dry. Rather, it’s the combustion procedures.
There are two different kinds 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 completely sealed.
A standard furnace, also called an atmosphere furnace, draws air from inside your house to function. 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 better at keeping your humidity balanced. They draw all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays locked inside the sealed furnace. As an added advantage, they keep your house more cozy 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®.
Besides combustion, cold air also naturally seeps into your residence during the winter. Lower humidity means the air will snatch moisture rapidly 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 comfy at a time, a whole-house humidifier will transport that comfort around your home.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you put in a whole-home system.
Better Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s typical that winter is the worst time for colds, flu and other illnesses. That’s since you’re more susceptible to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under particular airflow conditions, air at the correct humidity level might also slow the spread of some viruses. Also, it can alleviate year-round allergy symptoms.
Relief from Dry Skin
If you have consistently dry skin or eczema, you understand just how irritating those conditions are during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin retain more moisture.
Improved Sleep
Preserving your bedroom at the right temperature and humidity level will keep you cozy at night. It can also alleviate loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Guards the Wood in Your House
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 absorbs moisture from the wood and causes it to crack. Balancing your residence’s humidity at the right level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Needed
Between steady filter changes and constant refilling, portable humidifiers demand a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs servicing about once a year, which can be done in tandem with your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the least amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use a pad. It stores water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets distributed through your ductwork. Because it’s independently powered, it can run when the furnace isn’t on.
Request Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Now
If your home’s air feels less than comfortable during the winter, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. Call us at 866-397-3787 to schedule a free home comfort consultation. There’s no pressure, just free Expert suggestions on how you can balance your house’s humidity at just the right 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.
