Happy New Year!
Nearly the entire continental United States is dealing with frigid, record breaking low temperatures. The drastically lower humidity levels can irritate skin, cause unwanted shocks and damage wood floors and furniture. A common notion is gas furnaces dry out the air circulating in your home. While this can be true, the explanation is more nuanced.
Atmospheric burning furnaces (rated between 60-81% AFUE) draw in air from the home, whether in an attic, closet, crawlspace or basement. This air is mixed with the fuel (typically natural gas or propane) and is burned to warm the home. For every cubic foot of air removed from the house, it is replaced with outside air (which has low humidity).
Sealed combustion furnaces (rated at 90% or more AFUE) use air from outside the home for combustion. The end result is higher humidity and better comfort for the homeowners.
Have a happy, safe and humid friendly 2018!
Craig Sopo 