There’s a reason why air feels drier in the winter than in the summer. That’s due to the fact warmer air holds extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true inside your Memphis residence. Starting 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, including dry skin, cracked lips and make you more likely to get sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your house’s air and what you can do to counter it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Procedures are Part of the Issue
The fuel your furnace uses isn’t the culprit responsible for making your house’s air seem dry. Rather, it’s the combustion process.
There are two different styles 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 known as an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your home to work. Because the furnace constantly uses air to burn, it will also draw in cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn reduces your home’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also referred to as a sealed combustion furnace, are ideal for keeping your humidity steady. They take all their combustion air from outdoors, but it stays contained within the sealed furnace. As an added perk, they keep your residence more cozy while requiring less energy. Upgrading 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 drifts into your residence during the winter. Decreased humidity means the air will rob moisture rapidly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It’s also to blame for static electricity.
How to Stabilize Humidity in Your House
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room comfy at a time, a whole-house humidifier will transport that comfort across your house.
These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll receive when you switch to 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 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 might also hamper the spread of some viruses. Also, it can combat year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you understand just how uncomfortable those conditions can be during winter. Adding a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture.
Enhanced Sleep
Maintaining your bedroom at the right temperature and humidity level will keep you more comfortable at night. It can also help with loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Defends 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 a result of the fact dry air absorbs moisture from the wood and causes it to split. Having your home’s humidity at the correct level will keep your home’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Necessary
Between frequent filter changes and continual refilling, portable humidifiers require a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs servicing about once a year, which can be performed 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 stores water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets moved through your ductwork. As it’s independently powered, it can work when the furnace is off.
Schedule Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your residence’s air feels less than comfortable during colder weather, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Call us at 901-235-1196 to set up 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 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.