Whole House Humidifier Installation / Useful for You or not?
Whole House Humidifier Installation- Do you suffer from dry skin or sore throat? Does your air feel too cold in the winter, or too dry during the summer months? Do you have a family that is always sick with colds and flu? If so, it may be time to invest in a whole-house humidifier. This way, every room of your home will have moist air circulating through it. It can also help improve sleep quality because more moisture means less snoring!
What is a Whole House Humidifier Installation? & What are the benefits of installing one in your home?
A whole-house humidifier is a device that is installed in your home’s heating and cooling system. It circulates moisture-rich air through all of the rooms in your house, helping to improve the overall humidity level. This can be especially beneficial during the winter months when the air is often too dry. Dry air can cause a wide variety of health problems, including dry skin, sore throats, and respiratory problems. It can also make the air feel colder than it is, which can be uncomfortable during the winter.
Whole House Humidifier Installation- A whole-house humidifier can also help to reduce dust mite populations, which can be helpful for people who suffer from allergies or asthma. Dust mites thrive in dry environments so by adding moisture to the air we are creating a much less favorable environment for them.
Whole House Humidifier Installation- During the summer months, air conditioning systems dry out the air inside our homes which can cause all of the same health problems as the dry winter air. The use of a whole-house humidifier during the hotter months will also prevent minerals from building up on windows and other surfaces because it keeps excess moisture from evaporating.
Whole House Humidifier Installation- Depending on your heating or cooling system, you may be able to install one yourself or you can contact an HVAC professional to do it for you. Most people find that the installation process is relatively simple, requiring just 30-60 minutes of time and minimal tools. Once it’s installed there are no additional supplies required, so upkeep is too!
How to determine if you need a whole-house humidifier?
The best way to determine if you need a whole-house humidifier is to check the humidity level in your home. You can buy a humidity gauge at most hardware stores, or you can use this online humidity calculator from the EPA. If the humidity level in your home is below 30%, then you would benefit from a whole-house humidifier.
How much does a whole house humidifier cost?
Whole House Humidifier Installation- A whole-house humidifier typically costs between $200 and $600 to install, depending on the size of your home. However, this is a one-time cost and it will save you money in the long run by helping to reduce your energy bill and by preventing health problems caused by dry air.
The best type of Humidifiers for different types of Homes:
Whole House Humidifier Installation- There are a variety of whole house humidifiers on the market, and each one is designed for a specific type of home. You should consult with an HVAC professional to determine which type of humidifier is best for your home.
Whole House Humidifier Installation- Here are three common types of whole-house humidifiers:
1) Steam Humidifiers – these humidifiers use hot water to create steam, which is then circulated through the home. They are ideal for homes with forced-air heating systems.
2) Evaporative Humidifiers – these humidifiers use a wick to absorb water from a reservoir and then it releases the moisture into the air. They are ideal for homes with central heating and cooling systems.
3) Ultrasonic Humidifiers – these humidifiers use high-frequency vibrations to create a cool mist, which is then released into the air. They are ideal for homes with evaporative cooling systems.
Pros, cons, and considerations when choosing between an evaporative or steam humidifier
Whole House Humidifier Installation- When choosing between an evaporative or steam humidifier, there are a few things to consider:
- The cost of running the humidifier – evaporative humidifiers are less expensive to operate than steam humidifiers.
- The amount of moisture the humidifier will put into the air – evaporative humidifiers put out more moisture than steam humidifiers.
- The noise level of the humidifier – evaporative humidifiers tend to be louder than steam humidifiers.
- The amount of maintenance required – evaporative humidifiers require more maintenance than steam humidifiers (changing the wick and cleaning the reservoir).
Tips for maintaining your new unit so it lasts longer and works better
Whole House Humidifier Installation- Whole-house humidifiers require relatively little maintenance, but there are a few things you can do to maximize the lifespan and performance of your unit.
- Clean your humidifier regularly – follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your specific model. Cleaning it will remove mineral deposits that build up over time and which prevent it from working properly.
- Keep doors open in rooms that don’t get used often – when you close a door in a room that doesn’t get much natural light or airflow, moisture levels rise inside this room because humidity cannot escape. Keeping these doors open will allow humidity to flow out of the home naturally.
- Change the filters on air conditioning units/furnaces – dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency so they should be replaced every 3-6 months, depending on the type of filter. Replacing the filters will also help to improve the performance of your whole house humidifier.
Common problems that can happen with whole-house units and how to fix them
Whole House Humidifier Installation- There are a few problems that can arise with whole-house humidifiers:
- The unit breaks and needs to be replaced. Fortunately, you don’t have to replace entire units very often and they typically last at least 5 years (check the warranty on your specific model).
- The unit is installed incorrectly and needs to be moved. If this is the case, you will need to hire an HVAC professional to move it for you, unless you know how yourself (which isn’t very difficult).
- The unit leaks water and causes damage to your home. Leaks will happen if the installation was done improperly or if parts of the unit break/wear out with age. In this case, it’s best to contact an HVAC professional to fix it for you.
- The unit only works when the fan is on and it isn’t humidifying your home. The solution to this problem varies depending on what’s causing it, but if the cause is a dirty filter, cleaning it may resolve the issue.
- The whole house humidifier interferes with other units in your home (i.e., a central air conditioning unit). If this happens, you will need to install a separate switch that turns the humidity control system on or off independently from any other systems that run your AC/furnace.
Common Problems Specific to Steam Units and How to fix them?
Whole House Humidifier Installation- Steam units have a few unique problems:
- The water tank leaks and needs to be replaced.
- The water in the tank boils over and creates a mess.
- The steam humidifier isn’t putting enough moisture into the air.
