There’s a reason why air appears drier in the winter than when it’s hotter. That’s due to the fact warmer air retains extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true within your Houston 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, such as dry skin, cracked lips and make you more likely to get sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your home’s air and what you can do to counter it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Process is Part of the Issue
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the culprit responsible for making your residence’s air feel 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 running. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is entirely sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your house to combust. Because the furnace consistently requires air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn reduces your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are ideal for keeping your humidity steady. They take all their combustion air from outside, but it stays contained within the sealed furnace. As an added bonus, they keep your house more comfy while needing less energy. Upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace may save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
In addition to combustion, cold air also naturally flows into your residence during colder weather. Lower humidity means the air will steal moisture fast from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It’s also to blame for static electricity.
How to Even Out Humidity in Your Residence
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room pleasant at a time, a whole-house humidifier will spread that comfort around your house.
These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll receive when you install a whole-home system.
Better Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s typical that cooler weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other ailments. That’s because you’re more susceptible to become sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under specific airflow conditions, air at the correct humidity level can also resist the spread of some viruses. Also, it can help with year-round allergy symptoms.
Eases Dry Skin
If you have consistently dry skin or eczema, you understand just how aggravating those conditions make you during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Improved Sleep
Keeping your bedroom at the preferred temperature and humidity level will keep you more comfortable at night. It can also reduce loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Defends the Wood in Your Home
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and basically anything in your residence that’s wood is affected when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air draws moisture from the wood and causes it to crack. Having your residence’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 rely on 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 distributed through your ductwork. Because it’s independently powered, it can work when the furnace isn’t running.
Request Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your house’s air feels less than pleasant during the winter, Church Services can help. Call us at 713-396-3760 to schedule 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 right level. And, like our other services, our work is protected by our well-known 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.