There’s a reason why air seems drier during cold weather than in the summer. That’s because warmer air holds extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true inside your Charleston house. Turning on 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, such as dry skin, cracked lips and make you more vulnerable 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 source responsible for making your residence’s air seem dry. Rather, it’s the way it combusts.
There are two different types of gas furnaces, standard and high efficiency. With an older standard furnace, you can see 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, takes air from inside your house to function. Because the furnace consistently relies on air to burn, it will also draw in cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your home’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are used for keeping your humidity steady. They draw all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays locked in the sealed furnace. As an added advantage, they keep your house more cozy while needing less energy. Upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace may save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
Besides combustion, cold air also naturally flows into your home during the winter. Reduced humidity means the air will rob moisture quickly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also causes static electricity.
How to Even Out Humidity in Your Residence
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room comfy at a time, a whole-house humidifier will transport that comfort across your residence.
These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll receive when you switch to a whole-home system.
Better Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s common that cold weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other ailments. That’s because you’re more susceptible to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under certain airflow conditions, air at the specific humidity level can also resist the spread of some viruses. Also, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you know 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 preferred temperature and humidity level will keep you more comfortable at night. It can also reduce loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Protects the Wood in Your Residence
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally anything in your home that’s wood doesn’t like it when humidity is too low. This is a result of the fact dry air draws moisture from the wood and causes it to split. Balancing your residence’s humidity at the correct level will keep your residence’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Necessary
Between steady filter changes and continual refilling, portable humidifiers require 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 least amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use a pad. It stores water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets moved through your ductwork. As it’s independently powered, it can work when the furnace isn’t running.
Schedule Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your house’s air feels less than pleasant during colder weather, Pardee Service Experts can help. Call us at 843-410-6103 to schedule a free home comfort consultation. There’s no obligation, just free Expert advice on how you can keep your home’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.