Beat the uncomfortable, dry indoor environment with a whole-home humidifier. These impressive works of technology provide the air flowing throughout your house with moisture to keep it at an optimal humidity level.
And you may be thinking, “what’s so important about indoor humidity?” Well, your health, comfort, and household possessions are all affected by the level of moisture in the air.
So, if you’re considering investing in a whole-home humidifier, you’ve certainly come to the right place. In this blog, Veterans AC & Heat explains what a whole-home humidifier is and what it can do for you and your family.
Read on to discover what adding a humidifier to your HVAC system can do and how it can benefit a dry and stale home environment.
Do You Need a Whole-Home Humidifier?
A whole-home humidifier is needed when the air indoors lacks moisture. At the very least, homes can become uncomfortable to live in with dry air. But these conditions can also impact you and your family’s health and the overall air quality in the home.
Ideally, the indoor humidity levels should fall between 30% and 50%. You can determine the humidity level in your home by locating the reading on your thermostat. Though, if your thermostat is dated, you may need special tools to read the humidity throughout the house.
When humidity levels exceed the ideal range, being indoors can feel sticky and hotter than it should. On the other hand, when the level drops below 30%, the space can feel dry and frigid.
But as mentioned above, there’s much more to worry about when living in an excessively dry environment than comfort alone. The health of individuals dwelling in the home can be compromised in several ways.
All About Whole-Home Humidifiers
When considering if a whole-home humidifier is the right choice for you, it’s essential to understand precisely what the appliance is designed to do. Moreover, you’ll want to be familiar with the different kinds of humidifiers.
How Does it Work?
Each type of humidifier uses a slightly different method to add moisture to the surrounding air. But in general, a whole-home humidifier is attached to the HVAC system and distributes water vapor throughout the ducts. Humidity levels can then be adjusted using the thermostat.
Three Types of Whole-Home Humidifiers
1 | Steam Humidifiers
Working with your home’s heating system, a steam humidifier converts water into steam before sending it through the duct system. This style of whole-home humidifier is most effective when a heat pump is used because it creates heat at a lower pressure.
Additionally, steam humidifiers are often the most energy-efficient option. But they happen to be a more expensive choice, as well. Nevertheless, this whole-home humidifier will save you energy and money over time.
2 | Drum Humidifiers
Drum humidifiers use evaporation and a bypass tube structure to raise the humidity levels. How it works is the air from your HVAC moves through a tube and into the duct system. Inside the tube is a spinning drum and water panel. The water panel absorbs water from a reservoir, and the moisture is evaporated and mixed into the air as it passes through.
And while it may be the most affordable option, stagnant water collecting on the panel can produce bacteria and mold, leading to illness. So, it’s essential to keep up with this whole-home humidifier to avoid further issues and discomfort indoors.
3 | Flow-through Humidifiers
Both drum and flow-through humidifiers use evaporation to provide the air with moisture. However, a flow-through system does not use additional moving parts or electricity to do so. Instead, hot air from the HVAC flows through the absorbent pad, carrying the moisture through your home’s ductwork.
Another key element that sets the two whole-home humidifiers apart is the fact that flow-through systems don’t use a reservoir to collect the water. Rather, the system connects directly to the water source in your home and drains the water as it goes. In turn, homeowners don’t need to worry about contaminated water and bacterial growth.
What are the Benefits of Whole-home Humidifiers?
Introducing a humidifier to your home’s HVAC system can make a world of difference in a dry and stale environment. With this appliance, you can finally achieve the indoor comfort and health you’ve dreamed about.
We discuss what benefits you can expect after installing your brand-new whole-home humidifier in the following paragraphs.
Comfort
When it comes to your place of dwelling, comfort is a must. After all, your home is where you go to rest your head at the end of each tiring day. It’s where you contemplate life and make major decisions. And it’s where you want to truly be your best self.
All these elements of life would be lost without the ability to be comfortable in your own space.
Whole-home humidifiers add just the right amount of moisture to the air to make your surroundings as relaxing and cozy as possible to perform at your best. Say goodbye to itchy, dry skin and that raspy throat when you finally install a humidifier.
Health
Maintaining optimal humidity levels reaps many health benefits. And those suffering from eczema or dermatitis know this best. Dry air irritates their symptoms and makes being inside their home troublesome.
Nevertheless, anyone residing in a home with a lack of moisture will feel the effects.
- Dry air can cause the oil-producing glands in your skin to be overworked and cause acne breakouts.
- Your respiratory system needs moisture to avoid irritation to your sinuses that causes pain in the area, a sore throat, and other health issues.
- Certain viruses spread quicker and more easily in dry conditions.
- Those with seasonal allergies will experience intensified symptoms due to the dry environment.
Better Sleep with a Humidifier
A lack of moisture in the air dries out your respiratory system, which leads to snoring. And snoring can harm a person’s quality of sleep each night. Moreover, those who share a room with the snoring individual will likely lose quality sleep, too.
But the troubles don’t stop there. Snoring throughout the night can further dry out a person’s throat, leaving them with a hacking cough the following morning.
Fortunately, you and your family members can get the rest they need with a whole-home humidifier.
Protecting Valuable Possessions
With a whole-home humidifier, your possessions will benefit, too. For instance, wooden or antique furniture and décor last longer and retain beauty and elegance in ideal humidity levels. Dry air essentially sucks the life out of these valuable items.
The following household structures and objects can be negatively affected by low humidity:
- Hardwood floors
- Dining table
- Chairs
- Doors
- Window and door frames
- Shelving
Some Things to Consider . . .
Finally, there are a few things you may want to think about before deciding on what is best for you and your family. Below, we have provided four considerations to be familiar with before purchasing one of these life-changing whole-home humidifiers:
- Size of your home- The size of your home will determine the size whole-home humidifier you will need and what power level to choose. And if you have a relatively large house, more than one system may be required. Additionally, the type of humidifier you purchase will depend on the size and needs of the home.
- Access to hot water- You will need a hot water source, like a hot water tank, for a drum or steam whole-home humidifier. However, with the flow-through system, you can get away with no access to hot water, although the unit will not work as efficiently.
- Maintenance- If you struggle to keep up with proper cleaning and care of your humidifier, mildew and mold can develop. Therefore, regular maintenance is a must.
- Cost – Whole-home humidifiers range in price from under $100 to around $1,000. So, remember to shop around and find the best option for your home at a price that is affordable for you.
How Veterans AC and Heat Can Help
Deciding to install a whole-home humidifier can benefit you and your family in more ways than one. With the right humidity levels, everyone in the home experiences better health and comfort. Not to mention, your valuable possessions are preserved for years to come.
However, if you suspect your HVAC system is not working as well as it should be, it’s best to give the professionals a call before spending money on a humidifier.
Call in the experts at Veterans AC and Heat today.
We will inspect your home’s system and help you determine if a whole-home humidifier is needed.
For all your AC and heating needs, give the Veterans a call.
