Why a Gas Furnace Dries Out Your Houses Air and How to Solve It

There’s a reason why air feels drier during cold weather than when it’s hotter. That’s due to the fact warmer air retains more moisture, or humidity, than colder air. 

The same is true inside your the U.S. home. Starting 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, such as dry skin, cracked lips and make you more vulnerable to getting sick. 

Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your home’s air and what you can do to fix it. 

Your Furnace’s Combustion Process is a share the Trouble 

The fuel your furnace consumes isn’t the culprit responsible for making your house’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 see light from the burners when it’s heating. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is totally sealed. 

A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your home to work. Because the furnace continuously depends on air to burn, it will also pull cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn affects your home’s humidity. 

High-efficiency furnaces, also called a sealed combustion furnace, are better at keeping your humidity steady. They draw all their combustion air from your home’s exterior, but it stays trapped inside the sealed furnace. As another bonus, they keep your residence more comfy while needing less energy. Upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace could save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®. 

In addition to combustion, cold air also naturally drifts into your residence during colder weather. Lower 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 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 throughout your house. 

These are just a small number of humidifier benefits you’ll get when you install a whole-home system. 

Better Health During Cold and Flu Season 

It’s common that cold weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other sicknesses. That’s since you’re more susceptible to get sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under certain airflow conditions, air at the right humidity level can also slow the spread of some viruses. In addition, it can reduce year-round allergy symptoms. 

Eases Dry Skin 

If you have constantly dry skin or eczema, you recognize just how irritating those conditions make you during winter. Adding a whole-house humidifier will help your skin hold onto more moisture. 

Improved Sleep 

Preserving your bedroom at the right 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 Residence 

Cabinets, flooring, furniture and generally anything in your residence that’s wood is affected when humidity is too low. This is due to the fact dry air moves moisture from the wood and causes it to crack. Keeping your house’s humidity at the right level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best. 

Little Maintenance Necessary 

Between consistent filter changes and constant refilling, portable humidifiers require a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs servicing about once a year, which can be completed in tandem with 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 distributed through your ductwork. Because it’s independently powered, it can work when the furnace isn’t on. 

Request Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Now 

If your home’s air feels less than cozy during cold weather, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. Call us at 866-397-3787 to schedule a free home comfort consultation. There’s no obligation, just free Expert advice on how you can maintain your home’s humidity at just the correct level. And, like our other services, our work is backed by our famous 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.