There’s a reason why air appears drier during colder months than when it’s warmer. That’s since warmer air carries extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true within your Clearwater home. Turning on your gas furnace makes your residence 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 resolve it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Steps are Part of the Issue
The fuel your furnace uses isn’t the source responsible for making your home’s air appear 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 detect light from the burners when it’s running. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is entirely sealed.
A standard furnace, also termed an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your house to function. Because the furnace continuously depends on air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your home’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also called a sealed combustion furnace, are used for keeping your humidity even. They draw all their combustion air from outside, but it stays contained within the sealed furnace. As another perk, they keep your residence more comfortable while consuming 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®.
Other than combustion, cold air also naturally seeps into your home during the winter. Decreased humidity means the air will steal 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 pleasant at a time, a whole-house humidifier will spread that comfort across your residence.
These are just a few humidifier benefits you’ll receive when you put in a whole-home system.
Better Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s no surprise winter is the worst time for colds, flu and other illnesses. That’s due to the fact you’re more susceptible to end up sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under particular airflow conditions, air at the right humidity level might also slow the spread of some viruses. Additionally, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you know just how uncomfortable those conditions are during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture.
Enhanced Sleep
Maintaining your bedroom at the ideal temperature and humidity level will keep you more comfortable at night. It can also alleviate loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Guards the Wood in Your Home
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally anything in your home that’s wood is affected when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air absorbs moisture from the wood and causes it to fracture. Keeping your home’s humidity at the correct level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Necessary
Between regular filter changes and continual refilling, portable humidifiers expect a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs servicing about once a year, which can be performed alongside your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the lowest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t need a pad. It holds water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets moved through your ductwork. As it’s independently powered, it can run when the furnace isn’t on.
Request Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your home’s air feels less than comfy during colder weather, Midway Services can help. Call us at 727-219-2471 to request a free home comfort consultation. There’s no sales tactics, just free Expert advice on how you can balance your residence’s humidity at just the right 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.