There’s a reason why air feels drier during colder months than in the summer. That’s because warmer air carries extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true within your Waukegan residence. Starting 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, like dry skin, cracked lips and make you more exposed to getting 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 Procedures are a share the Issue
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the source responsible for making your residence’s air feel 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 running. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is totally sealed.
A standard furnace, also termed an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your home to combust. Because the furnace consistently relies on 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 better at keeping your humidity even. They pull all their combustion air from outside, but it stays trapped in the sealed furnace. As an additional advantage, they keep your house more comfy while requiring less energy. Switching to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace might save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
In addition to combustion, cold air also naturally seeps into your residence during cold weather. Decreased 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 House
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room pleasant at a time, a whole-house humidifier will generate that comfort across your home.
These are just a few humidifier benefits you’ll receive when you put in a whole-home system.
Improved Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s no surprise cooler weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other ailments. That’s since you’re more susceptible to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under specific airflow conditions, air at the correct humidity level might also restrict the spread of some viruses. Also, it can alleviate year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have consistently dry skin or eczema, you realize just how irritating those conditions make you during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Better Sleep
Maintaining your bedroom at the preferred temperature and humidity level will keep you comfortable at night. It can also alleviate loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Guards the Wood in Your Residence
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and just about anything in your residence that’s wood is affected when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air moves moisture from the wood and causes it to crack. Balancing your home’s humidity at the right level will keep your home’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Necessary
Between steady filter changes and continual refilling, portable humidifiers demand 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 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 be in use when the furnace isn’t running.
Schedule Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Now
If your house’s air feels less than comfy during cold weather, Robinson Service Experts can help. Call us at 847-306-8730 to schedule a free home comfort consultation. There’s no obligation, just free Expert suggestions on how you can maintain your home’s humidity at just the proper level. And, like our other services, our work is backed by our famous 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.