There’s a reason why air appears drier in the winter than in the summer. That’s because warmer air retains additional moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true for your Hilton Head Island residence. Turning on 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, such as dry skin, cracked lips and make you more exposed to getting sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your home’s air and what you can do to combat it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Process is a share the Problem
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the thing responsible for making your house’s air appear 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 running. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is entirely sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your residence to function. Because the furnace continuously depends on air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn lowers your residence’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also called a sealed combustion furnace, are better at keeping your humidity balanced. They take all their combustion air from outdoors, but it stays locked in the sealed furnace. As an extra perk, they keep your home more warm while requiring less energy. Switching to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace might 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. Reduced humidity means the air will rob moisture quickly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also contributes to 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 transport that comfort throughout your residence.
These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll receive when you switch to a whole-home system.
Better Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s common that winter is the worst time for colds, flu and other sicknesses. That’s since you’re more likely to end up sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under particular airflow conditions, air at the correct humidity level may also slow the spread of some viruses. Additionally, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
Soothes Dry Skin
If you have constantly dry skin or eczema, you understand just how uncomfortable those conditions make you during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin retain more moisture.
Better Sleep
Preserving your bedroom at the ideal temperature and humidity level will keep you cozy at night. It can also alleviate loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Defends the Wood in Your House
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally anything in your residence that’s wood suffers when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air moves moisture from the wood and causes it to fracture. Keeping your home’s humidity at the right level will keep your residence’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Needed
Between regular filter changes and continuous refilling, portable humidifiers demand a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs servicing about once a year, which can be performed along with your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the lowest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use a pad. It holds water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets distributed 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, Epperson Service Experts can help. Call us at 843-619-3781 to schedule a free home comfort consultation. There’s no obligation, just free Expert advice on how you can balance your house’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.