There’s a reason why air appears drier during cold weather than when it’s hotter. That’s since warmer air retains extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true inside your Nashville home. Starting your gas furnace makes your home 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 home’s air and what you can do to resolve it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Steps are Part of the Problem
The fuel your furnace consumes 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 on. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is totally sealed.
A standard furnace, also termed an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your house to work. Because the furnace consistently requires air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your residence’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are used for keeping your humidity even. They pull all their combustion air from outside, but it stays locked in the sealed furnace. As an extra bonus, they keep your residence more comfy while using less energy. Switching 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 flows into your home during cold weather. Lower humidity means the air will steal moisture rapidly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It’s also to blame for static electricity.
How to Even Out Humidity in Your House
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room pleasant at a time, a whole-house humidifier will generate that comfort around your residence.
These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll get when you install a whole-home system.
Enhanced Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s typical that winter is the worst time for colds, flu and other sicknesses. That’s because you’re more susceptible to become sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under certain airflow conditions, air at the specific humidity level can also slow the spread of some viruses. In addition, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
Relief from Dry Skin
If you have chronically dry skin or eczema, you know just how uncomfortable those conditions can be during winter. Adding a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Enhanced Sleep
Maintaining your bedroom at the ideal temperature and humidity level will keep you comfortable at night. It can also alleviate loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Protects the Wood in Your Residence
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and most anything in your residence that’s wood doesn’t like it when humidity is too low. This is a result of the fact dry air moves moisture from the wood and causes it to crack. Balancing your residence’s humidity at the right level will keep your home’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Necessary
Between steady filter changes and continuous refilling, portable humidifiers rely on a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs a tune-up about once a year, which can be performed alongside your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the smallest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use a pad. It retains water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets moved through your ductwork. Because it’s independently powered, it can be in use when the furnace isn’t running.
Book Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Right Away
If your house’s air feels less than cozy during colder weather, Donelson Air Service Experts can help. Call us at 615-953-9885 to schedule a free home comfort consultation. There’s no obligation, just free Expert suggestions on how you can maintain your home’s humidity at just the proper level. And, like our other services, our work is backed 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.