There’s a reason why air appears drier during cold weather than when it’s warmer. That’s since warmer air holds extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true for your Tulsa home. 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, like dry skin, cracked lips and make you more vulnerable to getting sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your residence’s air and what you can do to fix it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Process is a Portion of the Problem
The fuel your furnace uses isn’t the culprit responsible for making your residence’s air feel 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 heating. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is completely sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, pulls air from inside your residence to combust. Because the furnace continuously uses air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also called a sealed combustion furnace, are best for keeping your humidity balanced. They draw all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays locked within the sealed furnace. As another perk, they keep your residence more comfortable while using less energy. Upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace can save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
Besides combustion, cold air also naturally moves into your residence during cold weather. Lower humidity means the air will rob moisture quickly 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 generate that comfort across your residence.
These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you install a whole-home system.
Enhanced Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s no surprise winter is the worst time for colds, flu and other illnesses. That’s because you’re more susceptible to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under particular airflow conditions, air at the specific humidity level may also hamper the spread of some viruses. Also, it can alleviate year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you understand just how aggravating those conditions are during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture.
Better Sleep
Keeping your bedroom at the preferred temperature and humidity level will keep you cozy at night. It can also decrease loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Protects the Wood in Your House
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and just about anything in your residence that’s wood suffers 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.
Little Maintenance Required
Between steady filter changes and continuous refilling, portable humidifiers depend on a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs a tune-up about once a year, which can be performed in tandem with your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the lowest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t need a pad. It stores water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets distributed through your ductwork. As it’s independently powered, it can be in use when the furnace is off.
Book Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Today
If your residence’s air feels less than comfy during the winter, Jack Nelson Service Experts can help. Call us at 918-212-8927 to schedule 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 proper level. And, like our other services, our work is backed 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.