Because of the benefits they offer, whole-home humidifiers are becoming more popular. But is a whole-home humidifier right for you and your home? At Donmar Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we are humidifier and indoor air quality experts. We also know how important it is that you feel confident when making such a big decision. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of whole-home humidifiers and what you should consider before purchasing one.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Did you know that a humidifier can help improve the air quality in your home? This is especially true during the winter when we are running our heaters frequently. As your heating system operates, it can strip the air of moisture, causing your home to feel very dry. This can aggravate certain health conditions and allergies and make your skin feel dry and uncomfortable. Adding a whole-home humidifier can balance the humidity levels in your home and reduce the throat, chest, and skin irritation caused by dry air.
Improve Comfort Levels
Have you ever complained about the humidity during the summer and how it makes hot days even more uncomfortable? Or have you heard people say that “dry heat” is easier to deal with? This is because the humidity in the air can make air temperatures feel warmer.
Consequently, increasing the humidity in your home in the winter can make your home feel more comfortable and warmer. This is particularly helpful when the temperature drops below freezing and the air inside your home becomes very dry as you rely on your heater more. A whole-home humidifier can also reduce the annoying static electricity in your home.
Save Money & Support Your HVAC System
Because increased humidity can make your home feel warmer, with a whole-home humidifier, you may find that you need to run your heater considerably less and at a lower temperature while still maintaining the same comfort levels. This not only saves you money on your utility bills as you will use less energy to run your heater, but it also helps extend the life of your heating system. The less you run your system, the less likely parts will wear out and break, saving you on repair costs and replacements.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Whole-Home Humidifier
While there are significant benefits to installing a whole-home humidifier, they are not right for every home. The first thing you should consider is whether you are currently experiencing issues with dry air in your home. If you aren’t, you may not need a whole-home humidifier and instead can get away with just a single-room humidifier or a bedside humidifier.
You should also consider whether a whole-home humidifier fits comfortably within your budget and whether the investment is worth it for you. Depending on the make and model you go with, humidifiers can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars. If you are planning on moving soon, this may not be a worthy investment for you. Similarly, if your home or HVAC system has other, more pressing needs (such as better insulation needs or duct sealing), your money may be better spent elsewhere.
If you are unsure whether a whole-home humidifier is right for you and your situation, reach out to our indoor air quality specialists. We can go over your options and help you determine what products and services will best help you achieve your goals. At Donmar Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we always give our honest advice, and we will never pressure you to purchase products you do not need or want.