3 Types of Whole-House Humidifiers

Whole-house humidifiers, along with ventilators, air purifiers and UV lamps, can improve your home’s overall indoor air quality. And unlike other HVAC appliances and devices, they can also significantly alleviate the many health problems associated with the coldest months of the year.

A humidifier sends moisture into the air that eventually goes into your ducts. In the winter, when the air is usually dry, it’s imperative to maintain a healthy level of indoor humidity. According to one study, increasing the humidity level of a room to at least 43% can render practically 85% of airborne viruses ineffective.

Buying a whole-house humidifier is one thing, however, and choosing the right kind for your home is another. Today, let’s explore the different types of whole-house humidifiers you should consider.

Fan-Powered Humidifiers

These units take warm air from the ducts and blow it across an internal pad called a water panel. The air absorbs moisture as it travels over it before being delivered back to the airstream for distribution throughout the house.

To increase water evaporation, these humidifiers use a fan. The power the internal fan uses is equivalent to the electricity a 25-watt light bulb consumes.

Bypass Humidifiers

These whole-house humidifiers work like fan-powered units, only they don’t have a fan. Bypass units can be installed on the supply or return plenum of a furnace.

Drainless bypass humidifier models are on the market when a floor drain is unavailable. These products recirculate their own water to keep usage to a minimum.

Steam Humidifiers

These humidifiers add moisture to the air through electrically boiled water. They don’t rely on a furnace to produce enough moisture to humidify rooms.

Round Out Your San Francisco HVAC System With the Right Whole-House Humidifier

Turn to Schmitt Heating and Air Conditioning to choose the most appropriate whole-house humidifier for your HVAC system. Call us at (415) 522-0966 now or fill out this form to explore different options to improve your home’s overall air quality.