There’s a reason why air seems drier in the winter than when it’s hotter. That’s since warmer air retains extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true within your Dayton house. Using your gas furnace makes your residence 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 likely to get 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 Part of the Trouble
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the source responsible for making your home’s air appear dry. Rather, it’s the combustion procedures.
There are two different styles 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 known as an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your house to combust. Because the furnace consistently requires air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn reduces your residence’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are best for keeping your humidity steady. They draw all their combustion air from outside, but it stays contained in the sealed furnace. As another perk, they keep your residence more warm while requiring less energy. Upgrading 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. Reduced humidity means the air will rob moisture rapidly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It’s also to blame for static electricity.
How to Stabilize Humidity in Your Home
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 couple humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you install 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 illnesses. That’s because you’re more susceptible to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under certain airflow conditions, air at the right humidity level can also hamper the spread of some viruses. Additionally, it can help with year-round allergy symptoms.
Relief from Dry Skin
If you have chronically dry skin or eczema, you realize just how aggravating 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 right temperature and humidity level will keep you comfortable at night. It can also reduce loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Defends the Wood in Your House
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally anything in your house that’s wood suffers when humidity is too low. This is a result of the fact dry air absorbs moisture from the wood and causes it to split. Balancing your home’s humidity at the right level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Necessary
Between regular filter changes and continuous refilling, portable humidifiers expect a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs servicing about once a year, which can be completed alongside your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the smallest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use a pad. It holds 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.
Book Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your home’s air feels less than comfy during cold weather, Stevenson Service Experts can help. Call us at 937-503-7896 to schedule a free home comfort consultation. There’s no sales tactics, just free Expert recommendations on how you can maintain your home’s humidity at just the right level. And, like our other services, our work is supported 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.