There’s a reason why air appears drier in the winter than in the summer. That’s due to the fact warmer air retains extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true within your Austin residence. Using your gas furnace makes your house feel warmer but can also dry out the indoor air. Dry air can carry a whole host of ailments, such as dry skin, cracked lips and make you more exposed to getting sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your residence’s air and what you can do to counter 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 styles of gas furnaces, standard and high efficiency. With an older standard furnace, you can notice light from the burners when it’s on. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is completely sealed.
A standard furnace, also termed an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your residence to function. Because the furnace continuously needs air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your home’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also called a sealed combustion furnace, are best for keeping your humidity balanced. They take all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays locked inside the sealed furnace. As another advantage, they keep your house more cozy while requiring 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®.
Other than combustion, cold air also naturally moves into your residence during the winter. Decreased 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 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 spread 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 winter is the worst time for colds, flu and other illnesses. That’s since you’re more susceptible to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under certain airflow conditions, air at the right humidity level may also restrict the spread of some viruses. In addition, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
Eases Dry Skin
If you have chronically dry skin or eczema, you realize just how aggravating those conditions are during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture.
Improved Sleep
Keeping your bedroom at the preferred temperature and humidity level will keep you comfortable at night. It can also decrease loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Guards the Wood in Your Residence
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and just about anything in your residence that’s wood suffers when humidity is too low. This is a result of the fact dry air absorbs moisture from the wood and causes it to split. Balancing your house’s humidity at the right level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Necessary
Between frequent 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 done at the same time as your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the lowest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use a pad. It holds water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets distributed through your ductwork. Because it’s independently powered, it can work when the furnace isn’t running.
Schedule Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your house’s air feels less than pleasant during cold weather, Strand Brothers Service Experts can help. Call us at 512-592-3072 to schedule a free home comfort consultation. There’s no obligation, just free Expert advice on how you can keep your home’s humidity at just the right level. And, like our other services, our work is supported 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.