There’s a reason why air appears drier during cold weather than in the summer. That’s because warmer air retains more moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true for your Fort Lauderdale home. Using your gas furnace makes your house feel warmer but can also dry out the indoor air. Dry air can bring a whole host of ailments, including dry skin, cracked lips and make you more susceptible to getting 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 Steps are Part of the Issue
The fuel your furnace needs isn’t the culprit responsible for making your house’s air feel dry. Rather, it’s the combustion procedures.
There are two different styles of gas furnaces, standard and high efficiency. With an older standard furnace, you can see light from the burners when it’s on. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is totally sealed.
A standard furnace, also called an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your house to combust. Because the furnace continuously relies on air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your home’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also called a sealed combustion furnace, are ideal for keeping your humidity even. They pull all their combustion air from outdoors, but it stays trapped in the sealed furnace. As an extra advantage, they keep your home more cozy while consuming less energy. Moving 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 moves into your home during the winter. Decreased humidity means the air will snatch moisture quickly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It’s also to blame for static electricity.
How to Stabilize Humidity in Your Home
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room comfortable at a time, a whole-house humidifier will generate that comfort across your house.
These are just a few humidifier benefits you’ll receive when you install a whole-home system.
Improved Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s common that cooler weather 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 might also slow the spread of some viruses. Additionally, it can combat year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have constantly dry skin or eczema, you know just how aggravating those conditions make you during winter. Getting a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Better 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.
Guards the Wood in Your House
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally anything in your home that’s wood doesn’t like it when humidity is too low. This is because of the fact dry air pulls moisture from the wood and causes it to split. Keeping your house’s humidity at the correct level will keep your residence’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Required
Between frequent 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 transported through your ductwork. As it’s independently powered, it can be in use when the furnace isn’t on.
Schedule Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Now
If your home’s air feels less than comfy during cold weather, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Call us at 954-736-4314 to arrange a free home comfort consultation. There’s no pressure, just free Expert recommendations on how you can balance your home’s humidity at just the proper level. And, like our other services, our work is supported 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.