There’s a reason why air appears drier during cold weather than in the summer. That’s since warmer air retains extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true for your Atlanta home. Using your gas furnace makes your home feel warmer but can also dry out the indoor air. Dry air can carry a whole host of ailments, including dry skin, cracked lips and make you more likely to get 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 Process is a Portion of the Problem
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the thing responsible for making your residence’s air seem 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 detect light from the burners when it’s working. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is totally sealed.
A standard furnace, also termed an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your residence to work. Because the furnace consistently requires air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are best for keeping your humidity balanced. They take all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays locked in the sealed furnace. As an added advantage, they keep your residence more warm while using 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®.
Other than combustion, cold air also naturally moves into your house during colder weather. Lower humidity means the air will rob moisture rapidly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also contributes to static electricity.
How to Even Out Humidity in Your House
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room comfortable at a time, a whole-house humidifier will transport that comfort across your house.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you install a whole-home system.
Enhanced Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s common that cooler weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other illnesses. That’s due to the fact you’re more likely to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under specific airflow conditions, air at the specific humidity level can also hamper the spread of some viruses. Also, it can combat year-round allergy symptoms.
Eases Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you know just how aggravating those conditions are during winter. Getting a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Enhanced Sleep
Preserving your bedroom at the right temperature and humidity level will keep you cozy at night. It can also reduce loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Guards the Wood in Your House
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and just about anything in your home 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 fracture. Balancing your house’s humidity at the proper level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Required
Between steady filter changes and constant 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 alongside 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 transported through your ductwork. Because it’s independently powered, it can be in use when the furnace isn’t running.
Request Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Right Away
If your house’s air feels less than cozy during cold weather, Peachtree Service Experts can help. Call us at 678-235-9699 to request a free home comfort consultation. There’s no pressure, just free Expert advice on how you can maintain 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.