The extremely long and cold winters in my area necessitate running the furnace for six to eight months.
The outside temperature frequently dips below freezing and often well below zero.
The wind chill is downright brutal. Because cold air retains less moisture than warm air, we end up with problems with humidity. Plus, the blast of heat from the furnace further dries out the living environment. It causes health concerns such as itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, headaches, sore throat and an increased risk of sinus infection. Along with chapped lips, frizzy hair and static shock, insufficient humidity aggravates allergies, asthma, eczema and psoriasis. There’s the possibility of hardwood floors and furnishings drying out and cracking. Since the overly dry air feels colder, we tend to raise the thermostat setting. The furnace then needs to work hard and run more often. It experiences greater wear and tear, uses more energy and leads to higher energy bills. I tried portable humidifiers, but they were too much work for very little benefit. I constantly needed to clean and refill the reservoir. I noticed a strange smell in the air. I finally invested into a whole-house humidifier that incorporated right into the furnace. I chose a steam-style humidifier that uses electrodes to change water to steam. The steam is introduced into the warm air before it gets circulated throughout the house. Since adding the humidifier, I’ve been able to lower the thermostat by a couple of degrees and yet the living space feels warmer and more comfortable. The humidifier wasn’t overly expensive and is paying for itself by way of lower heating bills. The operation is nearly silent and the device requires only annual maintenance.