There’s a reason why air feels drier during cold weather than in the summer. That’s since warmer air carries additional moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true for your the Wasatch Front region house. Starting 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 susceptible to getting sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your home’s air and what you can do to fix it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Steps are a Portion of the Issue
The fuel your furnace needs isn’t the source responsible for making your residence’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 detect light from the burners when it’s heating. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is totally sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your residence to work. Because the furnace consistently relies on air to burn, it will also pull 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 balanced. They pull all their combustion air from outdoors, but it stays locked in the sealed furnace. As an added bonus, they keep your home more comfortable while needing less energy. Switching 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 flows into your residence during cold weather. Decreased humidity means the air will steal moisture quickly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It’s also to blame for 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 generate that comfort around your home.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll get when you put in a whole-home system.
Better Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s typical that cold weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other illnesses. 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 resist the spread of some viruses. Also, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
Relief from Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you realize just how aggravating those conditions are during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Enhanced Sleep
Preserving your bedroom at the right 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.
Guards the Wood in Your Residence
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and most anything in your residence that’s wood suffers when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air pulls moisture from the wood and causes it to fracture. Having your residence’s humidity at the correct level will keep your residence’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Required
Between regular filter changes and continual refilling, portable humidifiers depend on a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs servicing about once a year, which can be performed in tandem with your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the least amount of maintenance since it doesn’t require a pad. It stores water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets transported through your ductwork. Since it’s independently powered, it can work when the furnace isn’t running.
Schedule Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Right Away
If your home’s air feels less than comfortable during cold weather, Barlow Service Experts can help. Call us at 801-436-8985 to schedule a free home comfort consultation. There’s no obligation, just free Expert advice on how you can balance your residence’s humidity at just the proper 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.