There’s a reason why air seems drier during cold weather than in the summer. That’s since warmer air holds extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true inside your Albany 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 likely to get sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your residence’s air and what you can do to fix it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Process is a share the Problem
The fuel your furnace uses isn’t the culprit responsible for making your residence’s air appear dry. Rather, it’s the combustion process.
There are two different kinds 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 tightly sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your house to combust. Because the furnace constantly requires air to burn, it will also draw in cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also referred to as a sealed combustion furnace, are used for keeping your humidity steady. They take all their combustion air from outside, but it stays contained in the sealed furnace. As another advantage, they keep your home more cozy while using less energy. Upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace can save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
Other than combustion, cold air also naturally flows into your home during colder weather. Lower humidity means the air will steal moisture quickly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also causes static electricity.
How to Balance 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 throughout your home.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll receive when you install a whole-home system.
Better 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 likely to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under certain airflow conditions, air at the specific humidity level may also hamper the spread of some viruses. Also, it can reduce year-round allergy symptoms.
Eases Dry Skin
If you have consistently dry skin or eczema, you know just how irritating those conditions make you during winter. Getting a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture.
Better Sleep
Maintaining your bedroom at the preferred temperature and humidity level will keep you more 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 most anything in your residence that’s wood suffers when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air moves moisture from the wood and causes it to split. Having your residence’s humidity at the proper level will keep your home’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Needed
Between consistent filter changes and continuous 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 least amount of maintenance since it doesn’t require a pad. It retains water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets distributed through your ductwork. Since it’s independently powered, it can be in use when the furnace isn’t running.
Book Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Now
If your house’s air feels less than pleasant during cold weather, Roland J. Down Service Experts can help. Call us at 518-417-2938 to arrange a free home comfort consultation. There’s no pressure, just free Expert recommendations on how you can keep your house’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.