Why a Gas Furnace Dries Out Your Residences Air and What to Do About It

There’s a reason why air appears drier during cold weather than in the summer. That’s due to the fact warmer air retains additional moisture, or humidity, than colder air. 

The same is true inside your the U.S. residence. 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, including 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 combat it. 

Your Furnace’s Combustion Procedures are a share the Trouble 

The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the source responsible for making your house’s air seem 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 heating. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is totally sealed. 

A standard furnace, also termed an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your residence to combust. Because the furnace constantly depends on air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn lowers your residence’s humidity. 

High-efficiency furnaces, also referred to as a sealed combustion furnace, are best for keeping your humidity balanced. They take all their combustion air from outdoors, but it stays trapped in the sealed furnace. As an added advantage, they keep your house more comfortable while needing less energy. Moving to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace may save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®. 

Other than combustion, cold air also naturally flows into your house during colder weather. Decreased humidity means the air will snatch moisture quickly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also contributes to static electricity. 

How to Balance 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 across your house. 

These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you upgrade to a whole-home system. 

Improved Health During Cold and Flu Season 

It’s common that winter is the worst time for colds, flu and other ailments. That’s due to the fact you’re more susceptible to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under particular airflow conditions, air at the correct humidity level may also slow the spread of some viruses. Additionally, it can help with year-round allergy symptoms. 

Soothes Dry Skin 

If you have consistently dry skin or eczema, you realize just how uncomfortable those conditions are during winter. Getting a whole-house humidifier will help your skin retain more moisture. 

Improved Sleep 

Maintaining your bedroom at the ideal temperature and humidity level will keep you more comfortable at night. It can also help with loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated. 

Guards the Wood in Your Residence 

Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally anything in your house that’s wood is affected when humidity is too low. This is a result of the fact dry air draws moisture from the wood and causes it to fracture. Having your house’s humidity at the proper level will keep your home’s furnishings looking their best. 

Little Maintenance Required 

Between frequent filter changes and constant refilling, portable humidifiers expect a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs a tune-up about once a year, which can be done alongside your furnace tune-up. 

A steam humidifier has the least amount of maintenance since it doesn’t require a pad. It retains water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets transported through your ductwork. Because it’s independently powered, it can run when the furnace isn’t running. 

Schedule Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Now 

If your residence’s air feels less than pleasant during colder weather, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. Call us at 866-397-3787 to request a free home comfort consultation. There’s no obligation, just free Expert suggestions on how you can keep your home’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.