Winter in Dallas-Fort Worth gets cold. You turn on the heat to stay warm. Then the air gets very dry. You might notice dry skin or static shocks. Your wood floors might even creak.
Your furnace is likely working fine. The heat just makes the dryness worse. Here is why this happens.
Why Winter Air Is Different
North Texas winters are cold and dry. Cold air does not hold much water. Your home pulls this air inside. The furnace heats it up.
Warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. The air heats up, but the amount of water in it stays the same. The relative humidity drops fast. Your house feels dry because the air is desperate for moisture.
How Your Furnace Affects Comfort
Your furnace has one job. It heats the air. It does not add water to the air.
The system runs often during a cold snap. It cycles the same dry air through the house. It heats that air over and over. This causes physical symptoms for your family.
- You might get a sore throat.
- Your eyes might itch.
- Static electricity builds up.
- Wood furniture can crack.
The furnace does not create the dryness. It just circulates the dry air.
Why This Happens in DFW
Houses in this area face specific challenges. Our warm season is very long. The heating system sits off for months. Then the temperature drops fast. The furnace has to work hard immediately.
Leaks in your ductwork let dry air inside. Large open rooms lose moisture quickly. This happens often in places like Garland, Richardson, and Mesquite.
Signs of Dry Air
You do not need special tools to find dry air. You can feel it. Watch for these signs in your home.
- You wake up with a dry nose.
- Metal objects give you a shock.
- Your skin feels tight indoors.
- The house feels cold even when the heat is on.
This is not a coincidence. It happens when humidity levels are too low.
Simple Steps to Help
You can try a few things to improve comfort. Change your air filters often. Do not set the temperature too high. Move furniture away from vents. Use ceiling fans on a low setting to mix the air.
These steps help move the air around. They will not fix the humidity level completely.
When to Call a Professional
Dry air affects your health and sleep. It can make your heating bill go up. Your heater works harder than it needs to. You might need a professional inspection if simple fixes do not work.
A technician can check your airflow. They can look for leaks in the system.
Get Help From Bolton Heating & Air
Comfort is about more than just temperature. Your home should feel good. Bolton Heating & Air helps homeowners in DFW. We fix airflow and comfort issues. We will find the problem and suggest the right fix. Call us today to feel comfortable again.