Do you need humidifier with air conditioning?
Is central air conditioning drying your hair and skin out? Have you considered having a whole house humidifier installed? If you have thought about this, you probably have several questions about this, and we’re going to give you answers to some of the most common ones. First, let’s define what a whole house humidifier is first.
A whole-house humidifier attaches directly to the HVAC system in your home and brings water vapor into the air ducts which distribute it throughout your home. Is it worth getting a whole house humidifier? Yes, there are some great benefits of having a whole house humidifier installed in your home, among them are:
- Healthier Air, Healthier You
A whole house humidifier will replace the moisture in your home’s air, making it healthier, for example eliminating the following:
- Drying your nasal passages
- Irritating your eyes
- Irritating mouth
- Irritating nose
- Irritating skin
Dry air will exacerbate respiratory illnesses in the residents in your home. With a whole house humidifier, the air will clear and moisturize your sinuses and improve your breathing. With added moisture to the air in your home, the bacteria and viruses that make you and your family ill are minimized.
- Energy Bills Reduced
A whole house humidifier will ease the pain on your bank account too, giving you an ROI by increasing the moisture of the air in your home, making it feel warmer in the winter without moving the thermostat.
- Eliminate Static
During the winter, the cool, dry air often causes static, shocking your family when you touch each other or objects. With a whole house humidifier, the added moisture will minimize the shock.
- Protect Your Furniture
Dry air in your home can cause the wood finishes and furnishings in your home to crack, shrink, and warp. Your paper items like books, photos, and posters become brittle. A whole house humidifier can eliminate these things from happening.
Does whole house humidifier use a lot of water?
We just told you that a whole house humidifier will reduce your utilities by helping the cooling and heating in your home. Then we tell you that it will use water?! Don’t worry, it isn’t like filling a swimming pool. Water usage for an evaporative whole house humidifier is between two and three gallons per hour when humidifying.
Do whole house humidifiers cause mold?
If a whole house humidifier isn’t used correctly, it can create some issues:
- Mold Growth. Excessive moisture can accumulate in the air ducts, forming mold that is distributed throughout your home via the air ducts. Mold can cause allergic reactions like coughing, itchy eyes, and sneezing.
- Damage Wood. The excessive moisture causes condensation in the attic, which leads to roof rot. The moisture can seep into your wooden floors, causing delaminating and deterioration.
- Stain Finishes. As moisture builds condensation on windows and stains the finishes around the windows.
Are whole-house humidifiers noisy?
There are three types of whole house humidifiers:
- Bypass humidifiers: Instead of a fan, these humidifiers use the blower that is inside the HVAC system.
- Fan-powered humidifiers: This type of humidifier has an internal fan to push humidity through your home even if the furnace isn’t on.
- Steam humidifiers: This is a combination of both with an internal fan that operates with the furnace, the fan is silent with pure steam which is healthier.
Does a whole-home humidifier also dehumidify?
A whole house humidifier measures and levels the humidity automatically, adding or removing it as needed. On the other hand, portable humidifiers and dehumidifiers work only in confined areas.
Where is the best place to put a whole house humidifier in a house?
The idea of a whole house humidifier is to distribute the most humidity in the largest area of your house. To achieve this, it is recommended to place the unit close to a cold air return so it the humified air can be distributed thoroughly. In most cases, the living area is the best location.
How long do whole-house humidifiers last?
The lifespan of a whole house humidifier can last up to 15 years. Maintenance and water quality are important factors in the lifespan.
What are common problems with humidifier HVAC?
The following list of problems with whole house humidifiers can be fixed by the homeowner:
- Humidistat needs to be turned up
- Water valve not opening
- Bypass damper not opening
- Not plugged in
- Water panel or pad completely clogged
- Wheel pad installed in backward
- Water level too low
The following are problems that you’ll need a professional to repair:
- Water valve clogged
- Orifice clogged
- Motor or solenoid valve goes bad
- Humidistat goes bad
- Wiring goes bad
- Float not working
In Conclusion: What months should you use a humidifier?
Your home doesn’t need a whole house humidifier just during the winter! All year long, the weather can have an effect on your comfort and health.
Looking to install a whole house humidifier in Vacaville, CA? Call the experts at 707-689-5128.
