Pros and Cons of Using a Whole House Humidifier

It is important to create the right indoor environment in your home during the winter so that you are less prone to getting colds and other winter illnesses. The right levels of moisture in the air in your home will help you feel better during these cold months. If you are thinking of getting a whole house humidifier for your home, it is crucial for you to learn about the pros and cons of getting one.

Humidifiers help increase moisture in your home as it can get dry during the winter. There are smaller humidifiers that plug into the wall, and you can turn them on and off as needed. There are also whole house humidifiers that get installed in your ductwork and are set up near your furnace. They are connected to your water supply so that water does through the humidifier and evaporates into the air, increasing the humidity in your home.

There are many pros to having a whole house humidifier. Here are a few:

• Humidity is automatically controlled

It is not good for the air in your home to be too dry or too moist. The best humidity levels should be between 30% and 50%. A whole house humidifier can automatically control the humidity level.

• Very little maintenance required

The only thing that needs to be done with whole house humidifiers is to change the filter once a year. It is also necessary to wipe it down and get rid of any mineral buildup.

• Air quality indoors

When the indoor air in your home is of good quality, it helps with respiratory issues, and it helps with your immune system. It also helps in preserving your wood floors and furniture and other home products.

• Quiet and out of sight

The whole house humidifier is hidden as it’s built into the heating system. They also do not have a sound like the smaller portable humidifiers do.

• Value added to your home

Having a whole house humidifier will help your house stand out in the market as you will have an added benefit other homes may not have.

Before deciding to install a whole house humidifier, make sure that you are aware of the cons of installing one in your home. Here are some you should be aware of:

• Installation cost for the whole house humidifier

As opposed to a standard small unit humidifier which requires you to fill it with water and plug it in, a whole house humidifier will require you to hire a professional to install it.

• You can end up with mold and mildew growth

It is important for you to do the proper maintenance on your HVAC and humidifier, otherwise you may end up with mold and mildew growth. This can make various respiratory issues worse such as coughing, sneezing, and itching of the eyes, especially for those who have allergies.

• Expense

A whole house humidifier is expensive compared to the portable one. They range from $150 to $800. You also must count on the installation cost ranging from $250 to $500. So, the full cost may be from $400 to $1300. However, when you are looking at the cost of installing a whole house humidifier, make sure you do not forget to look at how it may pay off for you in the long run as it uses less electricity, it works in your whole home, and does not require much maintenance. It can last about 10 years, as opposed to a portable humidifier that lasts from 2 to 5 years.

• Hiding HVAC Air Leaks

If you have a whole house humidifier installed, sometimes it can hide a bigger issue of home air leaks. Usually, this happens with older homes. Sometimes the ducts will have air leaks due to holes and they will cause low humidity in your home.

When deciding whether to install a whole house humidifier or not, make sure you weigh all the pros and cons and see what works best for you and your family. It is a nice upgrade for your home that can increase property value, and it will help you improve the quality of the air in your home and decrease the chance of having chapped lips, dry skin, and creaking wood floors.

Have you had a water damage issue with your whole house humidifier? ServiceMaster Fire and Water Restoration can help.  We offer water damage restoration services to homes and businesses in Denver, CO, and the surrounding areas. If you’ve had water damage happen to your property, we will make sure to prevent further damage by extracting the excess water. We will then clean and dry the affected areas and restore your property back to its original state. If you need water damage restoration services in the Denver, CO area, make sure to call us at (303) 791-6000.