It’s officially autumn, which means the temperatures are cooling off. Soon, it will be time to start using your furnace. One of the most common questions our Genuine Comfort customers ask this time of year is whether they should get a humidifier when they buy a new furnace.
If you’re looking into upgrading your furnace before the winter chill descends, keep reading to learn the benefits of HVAC humidifiers, the main types to choose from, and how to know which option is best for your home.
Benefits of an HVAC Humidifier
Whether you’re buying a new furnace or not, we highly recommend adding a humidifier, especially if you live in a dry climate like Utah or Colorado. The benefits of HVAC humidifiers include:
Moisturized Skin
Dry, cracked skin is all too common in the wintertime. Adding a humidifier to your HVAC system can help keep your skin hydrated and healthy, so you can avoid feeling like a desert all season long.
Better Breathing
Humidifiers keep your respiratory system from drying out, which helps you breathe easier. This is especially important for individuals with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues. Plus, humidifiers help alleviate congestion and snoring, contributing to a better night’s sleep.
Stop Sickness
Emerging research suggests that using a humidifier can reduce the spread of germs, which is particularly beneficial during cold and flu season. Furthermore, if you do get sick, a humidifier can help relieve your stuffy nose, ease your cough, and break up stubborn mucus.
Warmer Feeling
Humid air retains heat more effectively than dry air, which means that humidifiers can make your home feel warmer in the winter. By adding an HVAC humidifier to your furnace, you can stay nice and cozy all winter long.
Decreased Static Electricity
Because cold air is typically drier and contains less water vapor than warm air, static electricity is more common in the winter, causing frizzy hair and sending a shock up your hand when you reach for a metal handle. By increasing the humidity level in your home, you can minimize the bothersome effects of wintertime static electricity buildup.
Types of HVAC Humidifiers
Now that you know why you should get an HVAC humidifier for your home, let’s explore three popular types of humidifiers that the HVAC market uses.
Steam Humidifier
First up is the steam humidifier, which can range in price from around $1,800 to $3,000. Steam humidifiers use a humidistat to maintain the perfect humidity level all year round. When the air is too dry, it adds humidity. Once the desired humidity level is reached, it turns off.
They work by heating water in a reservoir, which is converted into steam. The steam is then introduced into the airflow, which is distributed throughout your home. In order to install a steam humidifier, you need to either have a 110 or 220 breaker, or the panel needs to be easily accessible so we can run a wire to it.
Model 600 Aprilaire
The Model 600 by Aprilaire is the most common HVAC humidifier thanks to its affordability — the price is usually within the $550–795 range.
This large bypass humidifier is attached to the return air. Water trickles down through the distribution tray, which is similar to a swamp cooler pad. When the warm air passes through the tray, it becomes humidified and is pushed throughout your home. This model can be wired in two ways. It can either come on when the burners of the furnace come on, or if you plan to use it a lot, you can opt for a fan control setting.
However, keep in mind that if you’re in air conditioning mode during the summer, you shouldn’t use your humidifier. Because dry air feels cooler, the AC’s goal is to reduce humidity, while the humidifier’s job is to increase it. To avoid doing a disservice to your HVAC system and inadvertently make your home feel warmer, turn the humidifier off during the hotter months.
Power Humidifier
Last, but certainly not least, is the power humidifier, which is ideal for larger homes with multiple stories. It’s attached to the side of the plenum where the air blows out of the vents and works just like a bypass humidifier, but has a motor in it to put even more humidity into the air.
The price of a power humidifier is typically $100–200 more than a large bypass like the Model 600.
Quality HVAC Humidifiers from Genuine Comfort
At Genuine Comfort, our top priority is helping you create a comfortable home environment, no matter the season. If you’re in the market for a new furnace or HVAC humidifier this fall, contact us today to receive a free quote.
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