Humidifiers are popular appliances used to keep homes comfortable and combat dry air in the winter. While a portable humidifier can treat certain areas of the home, a furnace humidifier runs with your HVAC system to distribute moisture throughout the whole home.
Whole-home humidifiers connect with your forced-air furnace to add moisture to the warm air that the furnace pushes throughout your home. There are three main types of humidifiers: bypass, steam, and flow-through. Humidifiers will help increase your indoor air quality and overall comfort.
Types of Furnace Humidifiers
Bypass humidifiers
Bypass humidifiers draw from a water panel and do not use a motor, meaning that they're only active when the furnace is running. Instead, these humidifiers rely on air from the furnace's blower to pick up moisture as it passes over the water panel before moving through the ductwork. Bypass humidifiers have a lower chance of breaking down since there are fewer components, and typically have lower energy usage too. Also, there's a lower risk of mold forming since moisture is only pushed through the ducts when warm air is moving.
One disadvantage is that it may not humidify your air as effectively as other furnace humidifiers. After the air picks up moisture from the panel, it's rerouted back to the furnace before being sent around the home. During this process, some moisture is lost making it less effective.
Steam humidifiers
Steam humidifiers work by boiling water to create steam that's then distributed throughout the home along with the air from the furnace. These furnace humidifiers function based on built-in humidistats that measure the humidity of the air and only allow the system to work when the humidity drops below a certain level. This significantly lessens the risk of mold and condensation as the system won't be able to over-humidify. Steam humidifiers are also the most effective at producing moisture and are easier to maintain. One downside, however, is that they cost more money to buy and operate.
Flow-through units
Like bypass humidifiers, flow-through units draw from a water supply, but in the form of a constant trickle of water. The unit switches on when your home's humidity level falls below the set level. As air passes through the furnace's air supply, the water naturally evaporates into the air that's leaving the furnace. The main difference is that flow-through units have their own fans, meaning they can moisten and distribute air even when the furnace blower isn't operating. Another benefit is that these units are generally low maintenance and have almost no risk of mold.
Benefits of a Furnace Humidifier
Ideal home humidity levels
A furnace humidifier system will help you achieve ideal home humidity levels which will benefit your health and your home overall. In the winter, your home's humidity level should fall between 30 and 40 percent. Below that range, dry air can cause negative health effects such as dry skin, chapped lips, asthma symptoms, and nose bleeds.
Your home reacts to dry air, too. Low humidity levels may cause peeling wallpaper, cracking furniture, shrinking wood, and higher static electricity.
Less energy usage
Regulating humidity levels means the furnace won't have to work as hard to keep the home warm. By keeping the air moist, the home will feel warmer and you'll be less likely to crank the heat, which will save energy over time. Energy savings also equals money savings, so you'll feel more comfortable and keep a little extra in the bank at the same time.
Do I Need a Furnace Humidifier?
While a furnace humidifier is not absolutely necessary, you may want to install one for health reasons or based on your area's climate conditions. If you're experiencing negative side effects from overly dry hair that are affecting your quality of life, it may be smart to install a humidifier system. Likewise, if you live in a cold-weather region, dry air conditions are generally worse. While Philadelphia and the surrounding counties are humid in the summer, for example, the winters get cold and dry. On top of this, running the furnace on colder days will further dry out your air. This can be worsened in order homes where air leakage is more prominent. If this applies to you, you should consider installing a humidifier.
If you'd like to install a furnace humidifier, contact a local professional to learn more.
If you live in the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area and would like to find comfort within your home, visit our website or give us a call at 215 - 245 - 3200 to learn more.
