There’s a reason why air appears drier during colder months than in the summer. That’s since warmer air retains additional moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true inside your London 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 vulnerable 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 share the Problem
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the source responsible for making your residence’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 see light from the burners when it’s working. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is completely sealed.
A standard furnace, also termed an atmosphere furnace, draws air from inside your home to combust. Because the furnace constantly relies on air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn lowers your residence’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also referred to as a sealed combustion furnace, are ideal for keeping your humidity balanced. They pull all their combustion air from outdoors, but it stays trapped within the sealed furnace. As an extra perk, they keep your home more cozy while needing less energy. Moving to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace could save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
Besides combustion, cold air also naturally flows into your house during colder weather. Reduced humidity means the air will rob moisture quickly 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 comfortable 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 receive when you upgrade to a whole-home system.
Better Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s common that winter is the worst time for colds, flu and other illnesses. That’s because you’re more likely to end up sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under specific airflow conditions, air at the specific humidity level might also hamper the spread of some viruses. In addition, it can help with year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have chronically dry skin or eczema, you recognize just how uncomfortable those conditions can be during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture.
Improved Sleep
Preserving your bedroom at the ideal 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 Home
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally 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 absorbs moisture from the wood and causes it to split. Having your house’s humidity at the right level will keep your residence’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Required
Between steady filter changes and continuous refilling, portable humidifiers rely on a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs servicing about once a year, which can be completed in tandem with your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the least amount of maintenance since it doesn’t need a pad. It holds 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 is off.
Schedule Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your residence’s air feels less than comfy during cold weather, Roy Inch & Sons Home Services by Enercare can help. Call us at 226-270-1164 to request a free home comfort consultation. There’s no sales tactics, just free Expert recommendations on how you can balance your house’s humidity at just the proper level. And, like our other services, our work is supported 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.