Central Humidifiers and Your Home
Winter is dry, it’s cold, and tough to get through. The dry air can cause issues with your body, things like dry skin, cracked lips and colds. You are at higher risk of developing influenza, asthmatic symptoms, and catching an infection. That alone is cause to consider a humidifier in your home. Portable units can be purchased at places like Menards, small enough to put moisture into the air in your bedroom, but not large enough to take on a multi-room space. Luckily, you can have a humidifier added to your current HVAC system, or upgrade to a newer model that includes one.
Dry air in the home can do damage to more than just you personally, it can cause damage to the structure of your home! You could see things like chipped paint, or cracked wood flooring. Dry air will affect your furniture and possessions. If your home gets that dehydrated, you can bet you’re feeling it too. A central humidifier that plugs into the HVAC system will alleviate these issues by releasing moisture into the air. In order to achieve the right moisture in your home, the job is a little too big for the portable humidifiers you can purchase in store – those are great for studios or apartment homes where you only need to cover one space.
Another great perk of a humidifier is that they help keep your home warmer. That seems odd, but during the winter months you can keep your home at a lower temperature when utilizing a centralized humidifier. The moisture you’re putting in the air makes it feel warmer, which makes things more energy efficient. The ability to lower your energy usage is great for the environment, and your bank account!
One of the biggest downsides to a portable humidifier – aside from possible spills – is that the water tray needs to be cleaned often. That stagnant water can develop bacteria, which you are then pumping into the air that your family is breathing. This is also an issue if the tap water you fill the humidifier with is of poor quality. This isn’t necessarily foolproof with a central appliance, but you can also include a filtration process during installation, so that you are pumping purified water into the air. Whether you are using a portable or a centralized appliance, it is always a good idea to be mindful of your water source.
A central humidifier unit will cost more upfront, but the long-term benefits greatly outweigh the cost of your portable unit when you calculate in the energy and water waste associated with its regular use. This isn’t, however, something that’s recommended to install on your own. You will need two contractors on site, as it is both a plumbing and an HVAC system. If you are in the market for a humidifier in your home, give us a call. We have some great options to choose from. You can also check out our Accessories Page to see what we have available.
