There’s a reason why air seems drier in the winter than when it’s warmer. That’s due to the fact warmer air carries extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true for your East Syracuse residence. Using your gas furnace makes your house feel warmer but can also dry out the indoor air. Dry air can transport a whole host of ailments, such as 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 a Portion of the Problem
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the thing responsible for making your house’s air feel dry. Rather, it’s the combustion procedures.
There are two different types of gas furnaces, standard and high efficiency. With an older standard furnace, you can notice light from the burners when it’s working. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is completely sealed.
A standard furnace, also called an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your house to work. Because the furnace continuously needs air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your residence’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also called a sealed combustion furnace, are used for keeping your humidity even. They draw all their combustion air from outside, but it stays locked inside the sealed furnace. As an extra bonus, they keep your residence more warm while needing less energy. Switching 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 seeps into your house during colder weather. Lower humidity means the air will rob moisture rapidly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also causes static electricity.
How to Even Out Humidity in Your Home
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room comfy at a time, a whole-house humidifier will generate that comfort across your residence.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll receive when you put in a whole-home system.
Enhanced Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s typical that cooler weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other illnesses. That’s since you’re more likely to become sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under certain airflow conditions, air at the right humidity level might also restrict the spread of some viruses. Also, it can reduce year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have consistently dry skin or eczema, you know just how irritating those conditions make you during winter. Adding a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Improved Sleep
Keeping your bedroom at the ideal temperature and humidity level will keep you cozy at night. It can also help with 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 suffers when humidity is too low. This is because of the fact dry air pulls moisture from the wood and causes it to fracture. Having your residence’s humidity at the right level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Required
Between consistent filter changes and continual refilling, portable humidifiers depend on a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs maintenance about once a year, which can be done in tandem with 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 moved through your ductwork. As it’s independently powered, it can work when the furnace isn’t running.
Book Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Now
If your house’s air feels less than cozy during the winter, Falso Service Experts can help. Call us at 315-313-6531 to schedule a free home comfort consultation. There’s no sales tactics, just free Expert recommendations on how you can maintain your house’s humidity at just the right 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.