Dry, cracked skin. A nose that suddenly begins to bleed. You shake hands with a friend at your door, and you receive a disturbing static shock. In the meantime, the cough that you thought had disappeared suddenly resurfaces.
These are just a few of the possible issues linked to humidity (or the lack of it) in your home. True, you might attempt to put a band-aid on the problem by buying a single-room humidifier. However, it will remain in that one bedroom and will offer quiet steam while you or a loved one sleeps there.
Of course, there are some advantages to these smaller units. However, they deliver only a short-term reprieve from a bigger issue. To be precise, your home’s relative humidity is simply too low!
Think about a whole-house humidifier, say the professionals at AC&R Services.
No doubt, you’re acquainted with a portable humidifier that you might place on a bedside table, ofttimes when someone is feeling under the weather. The chief distinction between whole-house and portable humidifiers is in the coverage, since whole-house humidifiers are incorporated into your furnace or HVAC system to keep up steady humidity levels all through the house. Meanwhile, portable humidifiers are separate appliances intended to humidify a certain room or area.
Before we discuss whether whole-house humidifiers are worth the investment, let’s first understand how they work. As mentioned, humidifiers add moisture to the air inside your home to enhance your indoor air quality.
Whole-house humidifiers pull water from your plumbing system, which is then transformed into vapor and delivered throughout the entire home via the ductwork. This guarantees that every room receives a consistent level of humidity, producing a more comfortable and healthier indoor environment for everyone.
Here’s a bit more on what to expect when you install a whole-house humidifier in your home say the folks at AC&R Services.
- Health benefits:Dry air can worsen asthma, inflame allergies and even make it easier for viruses to spread. When the air is too dry, nasal passages can dry out, leading to inflammation and distress. Alternatively, a whole-house humidifier keeps the air moist, helping to ease symptoms for those with allergies and asthma. Moreover, research reveals that select airborne viruses flourish in dry conditions. Keeping humidity balanced can lessen the spread of airborne germs in your home.
- Comfort enhancements:Dry air can make your home feel colder than it is, even if your thermostat is set to a cozy temperature. That’s where a whole-house humidifier comes in, by adding moisture to the air, making it feel warmer and more comfortable. Additionally, a whole-house humidifier works automatically during the season with negligible intervention on your part.
- Safeguarding your home:This includes wood floors, furniture and even paint cracking or peeling when the air is overly dry. A bit of moisture goes a long way in thwarting costly damage.
- Energy savings:Humidified air feels warmer, meaning you can turn down your thermostat and still feel comfy. This can lead to evident energy savings during the winter months.
- Better sleep:If you awaken with a dry throat or stuffy nose, a humidifier just might be the missing piece to a good night’s sleep.
- Convenience and consistency:Nothing like portable humidifiers that need refilling, cleaning and monitoring, whole-house systems work automatically and need minor maintenance. They guarantee steady humidity levels minus the hassle.
Are there any cons for whole-house humidifiers?
There are a couple of shortcomings to whole-house humidifiers as well, reveals AC&R Services. Above all, they can be pricey. The initial cost of buying and installing can be exorbitant for some homeowners. Second, they necessitate professional installation. This means you’ll have to pay someone to install it, unless you’re one of those homeowners that are handy and know what they are doing.
One of a whole-house humidifier risks is the possibility for mold growth, but only if they’re not appropriately looked after. Whole-house humidifiers are designed to keep humidity levels in a healthy range (between 30 and 50 percent), preventing surplus moisture that could result in mold growth.
FAQs
Q: How much maintenance do whole-house humidifiers require?
A: Most need annual service during your routine HVAC maintenance visit. This involves replacing or cleaning the water panel and verifying connections.
Q: Can I add a whole-house humidifier to my present HVAC system?
A: Yes, in most instances. AC&R Service technicians can assess your present setup and recommend the proper model for your home.
Q: How much do whole-house humidifiers cost?
A: The cost of a whole-house humidifier rests on various factors, including the type of humidifier and the difficulty of installation. Generally, equipment costs vary from $400 to $1200 with installation costs fluctuating between $300 and $700, contingent on your HVAC arrangement.
Q: How often does a whole-house humidifier require maintenance?
A: Most systems ought to undergo annual maintenance and intermittent replacement of pads or filters.
Okay, are whole-house humidifiers worth it?
If you live in northeastern Pennsylvania, you’re no doubt accustomed to the dry, winter air that can leave your skin feeling parched and your throat tickly. It’s not surprising that many people in our area end up purchasing whole house humidifiers to prevent these concerns.
At AC&R Services, a locally owned company, we’re frequently asked whether whole-house humidifiers are worth the investment.
The answer? One of the principal whole house humidifier debates focuses on convenience vs. cost, but the paybacks are difficult to ignore. A quality system can enhance indoor comfort, lower dry skin and static electricity and even help ward off damage to wood furniture, wood floors and musical instruments.
Especially during harsh winters, this extra humidity in a house can also help sustain respiratory health and shrink allergy symptoms. Certain units even include rigorous quality control measures to make sure of steady moisture output and negligible maintenance concerns, which makes a whole-house humidifier sensible for many families.
Ready to experience the advantages of a total whole-house humidifier? Contact the experts at AC&R Services, located at 217 Turkey Path Road in Sugar Loaf, PA, to schedule a consultation and find out how we can make your home healthier, comfier and energy-efficient year-round.