There’s a reason why air appears drier during colder months than when it’s hotter. That’s since warmer air carries extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true within your Gainesville house. Using your gas furnace makes your residence 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 resolve it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Procedures are a share the Trouble
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the culprit responsible for making your house’s air feel dry. Rather, it’s the combustion process.
There are two different styles 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 termed an atmosphere furnace, draws air from inside your house to function. Because the furnace consistently relies on air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn reduces your home’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are ideal for keeping your humidity even. They pull all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays contained inside the sealed furnace. As an extra advantage, they keep your house more warm while needing less energy. Moving to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace might save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
Besides combustion, cold air also naturally drifts into your home during colder weather. Reduced humidity means the air will steal moisture fast from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also causes static electricity.
How to Stabilize Humidity in Your House
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room pleasant at a time, a whole-house humidifier will transport that comfort across your residence.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you install a whole-home system.
Improved Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s typical that cooler weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other ailments. That’s due to the fact you’re more apt to end up sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under particular airflow conditions, air at the specific humidity level might also hamper the spread of some viruses. Additionally, it can reduce year-round allergy symptoms.
Relief from Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you know just how irritating those conditions are during winter. Installing 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 more comfortable at night. It can also alleviate loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Protects the Wood in Your Home
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and just about anything in your home that’s wood suffers when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air draws moisture from the wood and causes it to fracture. Keeping your home’s humidity at the right level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Needed
Between frequent filter changes and continuous refilling, portable humidifiers rely on a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs a tune-up about once a year, which can be done along with your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the smallest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t require a pad. It retains 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 isn’t running.
Request Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Now
If your house’s air feels less than comfy during cold weather, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Call us at 352-414-4006 to arrange a free home comfort consultation. There’s no sales tactics, just free Expert recommendations on how you can maintain your home’s humidity at just the correct level. And, like our other services, our work is backed 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.