There’s a reason why air seems drier in the winter than when it’s warmer. That’s due to the fact warmer air retains additional moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true for your Grand Island 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 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 Procedures are a share the Problem
The fuel your furnace uses isn’t the thing responsible for making your home’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 detect light from the burners when it’s heating. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is entirely sealed.
A standard furnace, also termed an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your home to function. Because the furnace constantly relies on air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn reduces your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also referred to as a sealed combustion furnace, are ideal for keeping your humidity balanced. They take all their combustion air from outside, but it stays contained inside the sealed furnace. As an additional bonus, they keep your house more cozy while needing less energy. Moving to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace can save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
Besides combustion, cold air also naturally seeps into your home during colder weather. Lower humidity means the air will steal moisture rapidly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also causes static electricity.
How to Stabilize Humidity in Your Home
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room comfy at a time, a whole-house humidifier will transport that comfort around your residence.
These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you install a whole-home system.
Improved 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 apt to end up sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under certain airflow conditions, air at the correct humidity level might also restrict the spread of some viruses. Also, it can help with year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have chronically dry skin or eczema, you know just how irritating those conditions make you during winter. Adding a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Better Sleep
Preserving your bedroom at the preferred temperature and humidity level will keep you cozy at night. It can also alleviate loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Defends the Wood in Your Residence
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and most anything in your home that’s wood doesn’t like it when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air absorbs moisture from the wood and causes it to crack. Balancing your home’s humidity at the proper level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Necessary
Between consistent filter changes and continual refilling, portable humidifiers demand a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs maintenance about once a year, which can be completed along with 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 work when the furnace is off.
Request Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Right Away
If your home’s air feels less than comfy during colder weather, McElroy Service Experts can help. Call us at 308-210-4398 to set up a free home comfort consultation. There’s no pressure, just free Expert advice on how you can maintain your house’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.