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Humidifiers and dehumidifiers adjust the moisture level in your home’s air, this can benefit you and your family’s health, improve home comfort and even increase the longevity of your building’s materials such as hardwood floors, wooden trim, doors and cabinetry. There are lots of options when it comes to selecting the right humidity system for your home – read on to learn everything you need to know.
Signs you need a humidifier:
– Dry or itchy skin, nose, eyes or throat
– Frequent congestion or nosebleeds
– Pets with flaky skin or sneezing fits
– Static electricity buildup
– Cracking or splitting of wood furnishings
If you notice or experience any of these problems, especially in the winter months, a humidifier is likely a good choice for your home.
Signs you need a dehumidifier:
– Musty odours
– Condensation on windows, walls, or other surfaces
– Mould and mildew growth
– Warping or buckling of wood floors, doors & windows
– Congestion, allergies, respiratory issues or asthma flair-ups
If you experience any of these issues the humidity in your home is likely too high.
Maintaining a relative humidity level of 40-60% in your home is considered ideal. Although comfort levels can vary, it is recommended to use a humidifier if the humidity falls below 30%, and a dehumidifier if the humidity level consistently exceeds 60%.
Many smart thermostats have built-in humidity sensors that display the indoor humidity levels in real-time on the thermostat’s display. With this information, you can easily identify when the humidity levels are outside the recommended range and take appropriate action to correct the issue. However, if you don’t have access to this information through your stat an HVAC professional will be able to take these measurements using a hygrometer and make recommendations tailored to your home.
Pro Tip:
The ideal relative humidity level for your home is between 40% and 60%.
You may be familiar with portable humidifiers that you fill with water and run until they use it all up. Practically speaking portable humidifiers can be used to help a tropical plant thrive or treat a small area of your home however, they are far less effective at treating whole home humidity issues. They are not recommended to solve any of the major health and structural problems listed above.
A central humidifier or whole-home humidifier on the other hand is installed as part of a building’s heating system. It provides moisture to the air before travelling through the existing ductwork. You can control the humidity level throughout your entire home simply by adjusting your thermostat. While central humidifiers are generally more expensive upfront, they provide more efficient, convenient, and consistent humidity making them a better long-term investment for many homes. There are two main types of whole-home humidifiers bypass humidifiers and steam humidifiers – below we outline the difference.
A bypass humidifier is a type of central humidifier that attaches to your furnace’s ductwork. A fan circulates air over a reservoir of water to pick up moisture. This air is then circulated through the home via the existing ductwork. It does not have a motor of its own and instead is connected to the return air duct of a furnace or air handler – functioning only when the furnace is in heating mode. Bypass humidifiers are an affordable whole-home option humidity solution however, are less versatile than steam humidifiers.
A central steam humidifier works by heating water to produce steam, which is then distributed throughout the entire house through the existing ductwork. Steam humidifiers are typically more expensive than other types of humidifiers but are the most effective. This is because the system employs integrated indoor and outdoor sensors, allowing it to independently and accurately make adjustments to your home’s humidity. Unlike a bypass humidifier, a steam humidifier doesn’t require your furnace to be in heating mode to operate, instead running whenever it is needed.
If your home has low humidity installing a humidifier can save you money on your heating bills. This is because heat attaches to humid air better than dry air, so humidity makes it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature without having to use as much energy.
Proper humidity also preserves building materials reducing the need for costly repairs such as cracking hardwood floors or splintering banisters.
An air conditioner naturally acts as a central dehumidifier by removing excess moisture as it cools the air. If you are experiencing high humidity in the summer it’s best to get your air conditioner serviced before looking at other dehumidifier options. Alternatively, if you don’t have an AC unit a central dehumidifier can be a great option for your home.
Maintaining your humidifier or dehumidifier is essential to ensure it operates efficiently and effectively. The best way to ensure your humidifier is properly maintained is to call on your local HVAC technicians. By performing routine maintenance on your humidifier, you can help extend its lifespan and ensure it operates at peak performance.
Take the hassle out of regular heating and cooling system maintenance and have professional technicians handle it all. Learn more about humidifier and dehumidifier maintenance plans.
