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 inside your San Antonio house. Starting your gas furnace makes your house 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.
The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the culprit responsible for making your house’s air seem dry. Rather, it’s the combustion procedures.
There are two different types 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 called an atmosphere furnace, draws air from inside your house to function. Because the furnace constantly requires air to burn, it will also pull 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 take all their combustion air from outdoors, 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®.
In addition to combustion, cold air also naturally flows into your house during the winter. Reduced humidity means the air will steal moisture fast from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It’s also to blame for static electricity.
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.
It’s typical that winter 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 particular airflow conditions, air at the correct humidity level can also restrict the spread of some viruses. Additionally, it can weaken year-round allergy symptoms.
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you understand just how irritating those conditions make you during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin keep more moisture.
Maintaining your bedroom at the preferred 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.
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and most anything in your house that’s wood doesn’t like it 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.
Between steady filter changes and continuous refilling, portable humidifiers demand a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs maintenance about once a year, which can be done at the same time as your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the smallest 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. As it’s independently powered, it can run when the furnace isn’t running.
If your house’s air feels less than pleasant during the winter, Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air can help. Call us at 210-404-4233 to request a free home comfort consultation. There’s no sales tactics, just free Expert advice 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 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.
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There’s no reason to skip your seasonal maintenance that saves energy and helps ensure your air conditioner and heater will work reliably all season long.
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