How To Buy A Whole House Humidifier

AprilAire introduced the first whole-home humidifier in the industry in 1954, and since then AprilAire continues to lead the industry in humidification technology and Healthy Home solutions.Our humidifiers provide whole-home humidification for every type of home. Designed and assembled in the USA utilizing US and global components, we ensure world-class quality backed with our 5-year warranty.During winter months, properly humidified air can help reduce the transmission of viruses, in addition to reducing asthma flares and helping you sleep better.Trouble-free performance and minimal maintenance are our standards. AprilAire Humidifiers are built with non-metal parts that will never rust or corrode providing the highest quality product that's built to last.

how to buy a whole house humidifier

Download File: https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fmiimms.com%2F2uhcdv&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw2_LV03cmVuxGkC0lkH3cd0

AprilAire introduced the first whole-home humidifier in the industry in 1954, and since then AprilAire continues to lead the industry in humidification technology and healthy home solutions. Our humidifiers provide whole-home humidification for every type of home. Designed and assembled in the USA utilizing US and global components, we ensure world-class quality backed with our 5-year warranty. During winter months, properly humidified air can help reduce the transmission of viruses like the flu, in addition to reducing asthma flares and helping you sleep better. Trouble-free performance and minimal maintenance are our standards. AprilAire Humidifiers are built with non-metal parts that will never rust or corrode providing the highest quality product that's built to last.

This genuine AprilAire Water Panel is the backbone of your AprilAire Whole-House Humidifier. The heavy-duty water panel is reinforced with 2 layers of aluminum and coated with an anti-microbial agent to prevent the growth of biologicals. The panel absorbs water and maintains the proper level of hydration to support the evaporation process. Water is vaporized as air warmed by the furnace passes over the water panel. The humidified air is then carried through your house through the air ducts.

There are many aspects to consider when choosing a whole-house humidifier. This guide makes the selection process a little easier, by detailing how to find the best whole-house humidifier to replace lost moisture and restore comfort, whatever the size of the living space. To help make the search even easier, below are some of the best whole-house humidifiers in their respective categories.

As an engineer and as someone who has installed a whole-house humidifier, I have hands-on understanding of how they function. From all the leading manufacturers, the BobVila.com team researched the latest models to ensure we had up-to-date information. Feedback from customers who live with these devices day-to-day also formed an important part of our selection process.

In making our choices, we wanted to provide a wide range of options encompassing the various technologies and different types of installation. With the breadth of high-quality options, we have provided solutions for the widest possible range of needs, as well as whole-house humidifiers to suit most budgets.

The whole-house humidifier market is dominated by several established brands that produce high-quality and reliable systems. Some are standouts in their respective categories, and this list of top picks can help make finding the best whole-house humidifier for specific needs quicker and easier.

Finding the best whole-house humidifier for any given home is easier when shoppers have a basic understanding of the most important technical and practical features of these devices. The following section is intended as a quick and easy guide to those elements that may have the biggest impact on choice.

The installation requirements of humidifiers that work with an HVAC system vary. Some can be installed by DIYers with moderate skills, while others will require an HVAC engineer to install it. Once installed, though, whole-house humidifiers that work with HVAC systems need little attention. They connect to the existing electrical and water supply systems in the home.

The coverage area required depends on the size of home. In general, a console-style evaporative humidifier is less powerful and has less coverage than its HVAC counterpart. They range in coverage from around 2,500 to 3,600 square feet, which will be sufficient for many homes. However, HVAC systems can humidify in excess of 6,000 square feet.

In most whole-house humidifiers, a built-in sensor called a humidistat (also known as a hygrometer or hygrostat) monitors humidity levels and turns the device on and off to maintain a consistent level. In addition to providing the level of comfort desired, it minimizes water and power consumption.

Console whole-house humidifiers usually have water-level monitoring and will turn the machine off to prevent damage if it runs dry. Refilling may be possible on the unit, but some require that the tank is filled from a faucet. Bear in mind that a gallon of water weighs more than 8 pounds, so two small tanks might be more convenient than one large tank.

Now that you are more informed about how to choose the best whole-house humidifier for your particular situation, you may have additional questions. Below are answers to some of the most common concerns about this type of humidifier.

It certainly can. A humidifier can have a positive impact on skin issues and respiratory problems, and it can help suppress some types of viral and infectious diseases. Dry air can also impact pets, so they feel more comfortable with ideal humidity, too. However, people who have specific health issues should always consult a medical professional before installing a humidifier, as these devices may not be appropriate in all cases.

The ideal indoor humidity level for health and comfort is generally considered as between 40 and 50 percent. This level will usually help ease cold and allergy symptoms and make breathing easier while not making the air so humid that it promotes mold growth. It also helps prevent wooden furniture and hardwood floors from drying out. Of course, personal comfort always has an impact, and many of the best whole-house humidifiers give precise control that lets users set humidity levels to their own preference.

Maintenance very much depends on the type of humidifier, and each manufacturer will offer a schedule to help achieve maximum benefit. Some filters need to be changed every 3 months. Steam chambers usually last 6 to 12 months. Humidifier pads are usually replaced annually.

Though there are a number of variables that make it impossible to give a precise answer, console units would be expected to last 5 years or more. Evaporative humidifiers have filters or wicks that usually last no more than 3 months.

A drum humidifier also requires electrical power and connection to the water supply. The water fills a tray, and a drum rotates partially in the tray. The bottom of the drum rests slightly in the water. As the drum turns, the water wicks through the sponge and emerges into the center of the drum as water vapor. Hot air from the furnace passes through the center of the drum, introducing the moisture to the air that is spread throughout your home.

This type of humidifier connects to the water supply, but has no moving parts and requires no electricity. The water supply moistens an evaporator pad. Hot air from the furnace flows over the pad, where it picks up the moisture and adds it to the stream of air flowing throughout your home. These humidifiers require an additional drainage outlet, usually to a floor drain, utility sink or sump pump.

Both drum and flow-through humidifiers use bypass ducts. They divert some of the hot air from your heating system into a separate section of duct, where the humidifier is installed, and then the air re-enters the primary duct system. A steam system can inject the steam directly into the primary ducts. All three types can be installed into the cold air return portion of an HVAC system if necessary. However, it is not the preferred installation method, since hot air more efficiently evaporates and carries the water vapor.

If you excel at do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, you may be able to install any type of whole house humidifier. However, it does require time and the right tools. You should be prepared to do plumbing and wiring work. It also requires specialized skills and tools for cutting and attaching ductwork, which makes it one of the more difficult DIY projects a homeowner may attempt. Steam humidifiers tend to be more complicated than the other two types. Professional installation is a better option if you are not sure you can do it yourself.

Drum and flow-through humidifiers cost between $150 and $500, and installation will add $100 to $300 to that. Steam humidifiers are much more expensive, with units costing $1,000 or more, and professional installation will cost $500 and up.

Portable humidifiers also have filters that need to be changed frequently for the same reason. If not properly maintained, a moldy humidifier will be sending mold spores directly into the air, making your air quality much worse instead of making it better.

Whole house humidifiers are remarkably easy to maintain. Steam humidifiers have water collection mechanisms that prevent liquid water from remaining in the ducts, directing it back into the humidifier. The evaporator pads of flow-through and drum humidifiers are dried out by the hot air passing through them (as long as they are set up correctly so that water only flows to the pad when the heat is running). This means that they do not allow mold to grow in any part of the system. Flow-through humidifiers even flush the evaporator pad clean of mineral deposits from tap water, so they only require cleaning and replacing the pad once per year. Drum humidifiers need monthly maintenance, so they are not as hands-off as a flow-through design.

The humidity level on a whole house humidifier must be set correctly according to the temperature. Often, the ductwork in a home passes through areas that are outside the insulation, such as a portion of the basement or attic. That means the ducts are cold, which will cause moisture in them to condense inside the ducts. Cold weather also makes windows cold, which can lead to condensation if the humidity levels in the house are too high. Since people who live in cold climates tend to use whole house humidifiers specifically to keep winter air from getting too dry, there is a high probability that improperly set humidity levels will cause condensation. Condensation leads to mold, rust and rot. 041b061a72