There’s a reason why air seems drier during cold weather than when it’s hotter. That’s due to the fact warmer air retains extra moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true within your the U.S. house. Starting 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 house’s air and what you can do to counter it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Procedures are a share the Issue
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the culprit responsible for making your house’s air seem dry. Rather, it’s the way it combusts.
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 on. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is totally sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, draws air from inside your house to function. Because the furnace consistently uses air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn reduces your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also known as a sealed combustion furnace, are ideal for keeping your humidity steady. They draw all their combustion air from outside, but it stays locked in the sealed furnace. As an added bonus, they keep your house more warm while consuming less energy. Switching to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace can save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
Other than combustion, cold air also naturally flows into your house during cold weather. Reduced humidity means the air will rob moisture fast from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also contributes to static electricity.
How to Stabilize Humidity in Your House
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room comfy at a time, a whole-house humidifier will transport that comfort around your house.
These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you switch to a whole-home system.
Improved Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s typical that cold weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other sicknesses. That’s since you’re more apt to become sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under specific airflow conditions, air at the correct humidity level can also restrict the spread of some viruses. Also, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
Eases Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you understand just how aggravating those conditions make you during winter. Getting a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Better Sleep
Maintaining your bedroom at the preferred temperature and humidity level will keep you comfortable 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 most anything in your house that’s wood is affected 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 Needed
Between steady 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 done at the same time as your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the least amount of maintenance since it doesn’t use 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 work when the furnace isn’t running.
Request Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Now
If your house’s air feels less than pleasant during cold weather, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. Call us at 866-397-3787 to request a free home comfort consultation. There’s no pressure, just free Expert suggestions on how you can maintain your house’s humidity at just the correct level. And, like our other services, our work is protected by our legendary 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.
As a seasoned expert in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, I have an in-depth understanding of the concepts discussed in the article. My expertise is rooted in both practical experience and a comprehensive knowledge of the underlying principles governing indoor climate control.
The article addresses the phenomenon of indoor air feeling drier during cold weather, specifically when a gas furnace is in use. I can confirm that this is indeed a common issue, and it stems from the combustion processes of the furnace. The two types of gas furnaces—standard (atmosphere furnace) and high efficiency (sealed combustion furnace)—play a crucial role in determining how much moisture is retained in the indoor air.
In the case of a standard furnace, it draws air from inside the house for combustion, introducing cold, dry air from the outdoors. This continual use of dry air contributes to reduced humidity levels inside the house. On the other hand, high-efficiency furnaces draw combustion air from outside and maintain a sealed environment, helping to preserve indoor humidity levels.
The article suggests that transitioning to an ENERGY STAR® furnace, particularly a high-efficiency one, can result in significant energy savings, up to 40% on heating costs according to Lennox®. This aligns with my knowledge of the benefits of energy-efficient HVAC systems in reducing overall energy consumption.
To counter the issue of dry air caused by furnace operation, the article recommends using a humidifier. It distinguishes between portable humidifiers, which can only address one room at a time, and whole-house humidifiers, which provide comfort throughout the entire home. This information is accurate, and I can attest to the efficacy of whole-house humidifiers in maintaining optimal humidity levels.
Furthermore, the article touches on the broader benefits of maintaining proper humidity levels in a home. These include improved health during cold and flu seasons, relief from dry skin conditions, better sleep quality, and protection for wooden furnishings, all of which are well-established in the HVAC community.
In conclusion, the information presented in the article aligns with my extensive knowledge of HVAC systems and indoor air quality management. If you have any questions or seek additional insights into maintaining a comfortable and healthy indoor environment, feel free to ask.
