Benefits of Whole‑Home Humidifiers

Many people think humidifiers are only helpful when the weather’s cold and the air is dry. However, whole-house humidifiers can actually benefit homes in all climates year-round.

When your home has too much moisture, mold and mildew can grow, attracting unwanted insects along with a host of other issues. When your home does not have enough moisture, you can encounter health problems and incur damage to your floors, walls, electronics, and more.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60% (ideally between 30% and 50%). So how do you keep the humidity levels in your home just right?

In this blog, we’ll go over the following benefits of a whole-house humidifier:

But first, we’ll explain how whole-home humidifiers operate.

One of the best things about a whole-house humidifier is that they work hand-in-hand with your existing HVAC system and last between 8-10 years. The humidifier brings water vapor into your duct system through a distribution tray, then adjusts the humidity levels in your house to prevent harmful particles and contaminants from circulating in your home’s air.

Unlike portable humidifiers, the whole-house versions are able to push moisture to your entire home, rather than just a single room or space. They also require very little maintenance and operate automatically.

There are several “smart” humidifiers on the market today that will automatically regulate the humidity levels in your home based on the temperature. For example, if you set your thermostat to a low temperature, the humidifier will automatically raise humidity levels to keep your home in the safe and comfortable humidity range.

Once your humidifier is installed and programmed, it will require very little attention. You can constantly monitor and control the level of humidity with your thermostat.

Now that we’ve explained how whole-house humidifiers work, we’ll go over the benefits of having one in your home.

One of the most significant benefits a whole-home humidifier provides is the improvement of your overall health, comfort, and sleep quality.

Viruses thrive in environments with low humidity, which can raise your chances of catching common infections like the cold and flu. In addition to increasing your susceptibility to viruses and infections, low humidity levels can also cause other health issues, including:

• Sore throats
• Sinus infections
• Allergy flare-ups
• Dry and cracked skin
• Itchy scalp issues

If you suffer from allergies, respiratory conditions, or skin issues like eczema or dermatitis, dry air can cause symptoms like coughing and dry, itchy skin to worsen. A whole-home humidifier can alleviate your symptoms and help your body and skin retain moisture by adding more moisture into your home’s air.

Dry air not only pulls moisture from your skin and body, but also from porous materials throughout your home. Installing a whole-home humidifier not only protects and cares for your family’s health, but the health of your home’s structure and your belongings.

Over time, dry air can damage wooden and antique fixtures and furniture. Plaster, paint, artwork, door and window frames, and even electronics have been known to crack, split, and suffer due to low humidity levels.

When the weather’s cold, most people crank up their heating systems to warm up their homes which causes their energy bills to spike. However, homes with higher humidity levels actually feel warmer, which allows you to keep your thermostat at a lower temperature, saving you money on your electric bills.

According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 4 percent on your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat.