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Introduction to the Whole House Humidifiers
During the winter months it is very common for furnaces to dry out that air that is in your home. This dry air can cause some problems for you if it is allowed to go on such as chapped, cracked lips, nosebleeds and dry skin.
Adding a whole house humidifier to your home is a great way to combat the dry air that comes with cold weather and running the heat.Dry air can also cause a problem for your wood floors, any musical instruments that you have in the home, artwork and other home furnishings.
If you are in the market for a whole house humidifier, there are certain things that you will want to look for when choosing one. You don’t want to add too much moisture to the room so understanding the difference between whole house humidifiers will prevent you from choosing one that is too big or too small for the home you are putting it in.
Top Ranked Whole House Humidifiers
Aprilaire 700 Automatic Humidifier
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The Aprilaire 700 is designed to add moisture to as much as 4200 square feet of space in a tightly constructed home.
Is can handle large humidification jobs and has a digital control panel that makes it perfect for larger homes.
Installing this humidifier can prevent or get rid of many health problems that are typically caused by stale, dry air.
This unit provides as much as 50% more moisture that comparable units and provides relative humidity indicators, temperature indicators and excellent service.
It is simple to use and maintain and runs very quietly so it doesn’t disrupt the tone of the house. The evaporative capacity of this humidifier is ¾ of a gallon per hour which is one of the highest capacities available.
This is a great unit to purchase if you are looking for a great whole house humidifier. The benefits of having one more than make the cost worth it. You and your family will appreciate the reduction in health issues related to the dry air that can come with wintertime and using your furnace.
Aprilaire 500 Humidifier, 24V Whole House Humidifier
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For smaller homes, you don’t need a large whole house humidifier.
That’s where this Aprilaire 500 comes into play.
It will cover as much as 3000 square feet and has a water feed rate of 3.0 gallons per hours. The evaporative rate is ½ gallon per hour.
There is no mess from portable humidifiers and you don’t have the inconvenience either because the system is integrated into the home’s duct system.
Other features include an automatic digital control panel, a water pad, outdoor sensor, and a built-in bypass damper as well.
It has an 110v to 24v transformer to allow for different voltage systems.
Using this Aprilaire 500 humidifier will keep your home feeling comfortable all year round.
AIRCARE Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier
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Aircare whole house humidifier provides humidity for up to 2500 square feet of living space with an output of 12 gallons each day. The analog controls and digital readout are super easy to use.
It also features a 3 speed fan and comfort sensor humidistat. The way that the humidifier works is through an evaporative system that uses unheated evaporated water. This unit will take far less energy than a warm air or steam humidifier.
A popular benefit to this unit is that you won’t have to worry about your home and furnishings are not covered with a white spray or mist.
Another reason that this whole house humidifier is so noteworthy is that is helps reduce the incidents of chapped lips, scratchy throats, dry skin, itchy eyes and protects your home, floors and furniture from the negative effects of dry air. It also reduces static electricity which protects your electronic equipment.
This unit is not the type that gets fed into the duct system of the home; it has a console that is on rolling casters. It is still a whole house model due to the fact that it humidifies 2500 square feet. The water bottle in this unit will hold 5 gallons of water and refills easily and efficiently. This unit is best suited to an open concept home where there is a lot of open space. It is easy to clean, easy to use and comes with a limited 1 year warranty.
Whole House Humidifiers Summary
Adding humidity to your home during the cold winter months will make the house feel warmer and much more comfortable. You’ll be able to turn down the thermostat and save some money that you’ve been paying the power company.
Whole house humidifiers are easy to use because they are set and forget models that give you the opportunity to set the humidity level and not have to fuss with it on a regular basis.
The three whole house humidifiers we have reviewed above are perfect for adding the needed moisture you need for your home in an easy to use, no fuss way. All three have features that make them a great option for adding moisture to your home. Even though whole house humidifiers cost more, they make up for the cost with the money and time savings with continued use.
To learn more about choosing the right whole house humidifier for your needs, read the informative buyer’s guide below. This guide will provide you with the knowledge you need to sort through all of the choices on the market with confidence. This means you will be able to make an informed decision on the perfect whole house humidifier for your home’s needs.
Whole House Humidifier Buyers Guide
Use of It
It’s easy to tell whether your home could benefit from a whole house humidifier. If you or your family members have dry skin, are dealing with nosebleeds, your hair has a lot of flyaway static electricity or your infant is dealing with cold symptoms, you could benefit from a whole house humidifier. If any members of your household deal with allergies or asthma you will find that this type of humidifier reduces those symptoms significantly.
The pros of having a whole house humidifier
There are many pros to choosing a whole house humidifier when you need to add moisture to your living space. We have listed these below.
- An accurate humidity level is consistently maintained
- It adds value to your home if you ever resell
- Doesn’t take up any floor space
- Runs through the furnace using the blower to circulate through the home and is super quiet
- It’s connected directly to your existing water supply so you do not have to consistently add water
Things to Consider
Remember to take the following points into consideration regarding a whole house humidifier. These points are not negatives but they are things that you will need to be aware of to have the best experience possible with your humidifier. Even though the initial cost is higher, the unit will pay for itself over time with the efficiency it provides.
- If the unit is not installed by a professional, licensed HVAC contractor or the warranty could be null and void.
- A central whole house humidifier will need to be installed by a professional unless the homeowner is a DIY person that has the necessary knowledge.
- If the water supply that feeds the humidifier uses a water softener you will not need to worry about removing minerals that come from hard water.
- The best way to clean filters and the housing of the humidifier is to use distilled vinegar
- Another great disinfectant for filters is bleach. This gets rid of bacteria and any mold or things of that nature.
Types of Whole House Humidifiers
<There are several different types of whole house humidifiers that you can choose from. We have listed the different types below and added some characteristics of each type.
- Drum Humidifiers – This type is the easiest to install and also is the most inexpensive. It is installed to the furnaces cold air return. A belted motor pulls cold water from the drum and creates evaporation of the water. The moving air puts the moisture out into the house. More maintenance of this type of humidifier is necessary in the form of belt replacements and cleaning to avoid mold from growing in any standing water.
- Flow Through Humidifiers – This kind of humidifier is installed on the supply air duct or sometimes the return air duct. Either one is acceptable. These mid-priced, functional humidifiers work via a filter that water flows through along with ambient air that blows through the filter as well, causing evaporation. You will need to hook this type of humidifier up to a water line so the water is constantly trickling through. Mold growth with this kind of humidifier is pretty much non-existent since there is no standing water. It does not use any electricity either. Water does need to be drained on a regular basis to avoid overflow.
- Mist/Steam Humidifiers – This is the Cadillac of the humidifier world and is the most expensive to purchase. It is super efficient and produces steam rather than using the evaporation process the other two types utilize. You can choose a cold water unit or hot water unit. The system introduces moisture into the air through cold or hot steam that is fed into the supply duct. You will hook these to the home’s plumbing with a water supply tube that is attached to the main water supply. It also requires electricity to operate so will use energy to work. There is no standing water to worry about draining and mold growth possibility is very low. The humidity level is easy to control via the wall mounted humidistat. You will need to be cautious of the hot steam that could cause duct problems so make sure you get the advice of a qualified HVAC contractor.
Central or Whole-House Humidifier Advantages
A central whole house humidifier is a better choice if you are looking for a unit that you don’t have to mess with on a regular basis. These installed units are mostly set and forget and take the annoyance out of using a humidifier. All you really need to worry about in terms of maintenance is changing and/or cleaning the filter once a year. Once you set the humidistat you’re done until you need to change the settings.
Standalone whole house humidifiers are a little more work and will need more maintenance and water refilling. Even though a central humidifier is more expensive, it is much more convenient and in the long run will be cheaper to operate and maintain. The humidifying results will be much more consistent and widespread when using a central line.
Conclusion
There are many things that warrant needing a good whole house humidifier. If you are building a home, it is a great idea to have a humidifier built into the duct system but even if you already own your home, adding one is not terribly difficult.
Due to the nature of the unit, it is better to have professional installation unless you are someone that has done this type of work, or you know exactly what you’re doing.
For anyone that has allergies, having a whole house humidifier will make a huge difference in your health. It is worth the expense to do away with dry skin, nosebleeds, itchy eyes and throat, and many other physical symptoms.
The information you have learned here can be used to sort through available whole house humidifiers on the market and to make the right selection for your home’s humidity needs.
SOURCE: https://thoroughlyreviewed.com/home-kitchen/best-whole-house-humidifier/