4 Signs Your Home Needs a Whole-House Humidifier

During the winter, the air is naturally drier, as Colorado residents know only too well. Dry air can lead to a host of health issues, and when the humidity drops below about 30%, wooden flooring and furnishings can be damaged.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency both recommend a humidity level between 30-50% for human comfort without risking the growth of harmful mold and mildew. To maintain that level in the Denver area, many residents install a whole-house humidifier.

4 Signs You May Need a Whole House Humidifier

There are several common signs that your home is regularly experiencing low humidity levels. If you experience these, give us a call to talk about humidification options.

1. Congestion

Low indoor humidity often leads to dry nasal passages, causing congestion and nosebleeds. While it’s normal to have some congestion during the winter months, you shouldn’t be waking up with them every day.

2. Damage to Flooring and Furnishings

Dry air can cause significant damage to wood floors and furniture by causing the wood to crack and paint to peel. If you experience floors that creak and doors that won’t close properly in the winter months, a whole-house humidifier may be what you need.

3. Dry Skin and Cracked Lips

Exposure to constant dry air will dry out your skin and cause lips to chap and crack. Low humidity can also dry out mucus membranes, resulting in scratchy eyes, noses, and throats. Adding a whole-house humidifier is the best way to combat all of these issues at once.

4. Feeling Cool

Moisture in the air helps trap heat against your body, helping you to feel warmer. If you find yourself constantly adjusting your thermostat in an effort to stay warm, that could be a sign that your air is too dry and you need a whole-house humidifier.

Types of Whole House Humidifiers

Some models of whole-house humidifier work with an existing HVAC system. Others are freestanding, console-style models. Those that work with existing HVAC systems connect to the home’s existing electrical and water supply systems. Once installed, these require very little attention.

There are three types of whole-house humidifiers that work with an HVAC system:

• Steam humidifiers are generally the most powerful and are often used for large homes. They heat water until it boils and then release the steam through ventilation ducting. These are the most expensive to buy and operate.
• Bypass humidifiers use the warmth from the furnace to heat water, rather than doing so themselves. Water is held in a panel and particles pass through the ducting in the same ways as a steam humidifier. The water panel is usually replaced once a year.
• Fan humidifiers blow air across a humidifier pad that is soaked in water, which releases fine water particles through the ducting. Bypass and fan humidifiers are also known as evaporative humidifiers because they don’t rely on steam.

Whole-house, console-style evaporative humidifiers are much simpler. They just need to be placed where you want them, filled regularly with water and plugged into a convenient power outlet. These are not silent but, rather, emit a certain amount of “white noise,” especially cool-mist models.

Rely on Northern Climate Control

Northern Climate Control can help you decide whether it’s time to add a whole-house humidifier to your HVAC system. We sell and install whole-house humidifiers as well as top-quality Rheem gas furnaces, convenient financing, and the area’s best service crews. Our skilled technicians provide fast, affordable inspection, maintenance, and repair services throughout the Denver Metro Area. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help!