There’s a reason why air seems drier during cold weather than when it’s hotter. That’s because warmer air retains extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true inside your Dallas house. Starting 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, including dry skin, cracked lips and make you more exposed to getting sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your house’s air and what you can do to counter it.
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the culprit responsible for making your house’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 on. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is totally sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your house to function. Because the furnace constantly uses air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn lowers your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are ideal for keeping your humidity steady. They draw all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays contained in the sealed furnace. As an added perk, they keep your house more warm while consuming less energy. Switching 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 house during cold weather. Reduced humidity means the air will rob moisture fast from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It’s also to blame for static electricity.
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 house.
These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you switch to a whole-home system.
It’s common that cold weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other sicknesses. That’s since you’re more susceptible to become sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under specific airflow conditions, air at the right humidity level can also restrict the spread of some viruses. Also, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you understand just how uncomfortable those conditions make you during winter. Getting a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture.
Preserving your bedroom at the preferred temperature and humidity level will keep you more comfortable at night. It can also alleviate loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and most anything in your house that’s wood doesn’t like it when humidity is too low. This is a result of the fact dry air draws moisture from the wood and causes it to split. Balancing your house’s humidity at the correct level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Between steady filter changes and continuous refilling, portable humidifiers demand a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs a tune-up about once a year, which can be done at the same time as your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the least amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use 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 isn’t running.
If your house’s air feels less than pleasant during cold weather, Levy & Son Service Experts can help. Call us at 469-250-0932 to request a free home comfort consultation. There’s no pressure, just free Expert recommendations on how you can maintain your house’s humidity at just the correct level. And, like our other services, our work is protected 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.
Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing issue for years. Today’s total student debt soars over $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re contemplating your educational journey or counseling someone who is, it’s important to weigh the... Continue reading
If it’s time to replace your old furnace, don’t presume that another furnace is your only choice. This may be the default choice for most North American homeowners, but heat pumps are steadily growing in popularity. Still, the question remains: Is a heat pump the best choice for you? Explore... Continue reading
If you’re realizing that it's time to upgrade your furnace, one of the first steps is to decide on an efficiency rating. This will impact your up-front costs and what you pay for home heating in the future. Use this guide to learn more about AFUE ratings and how they affect you. What Is... Continue reading
There’s no reason to skip your seasonal maintenance that saves energy and helps ensure your air conditioner and heater will work reliably all season long.
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *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.
