Not many people think about their home’s humidity levels. Not until it’s too late. You start to feel a little congested, and the skin on your hands and feet feels dry.
That’s when you realize that your home could use a whole home humidifier installation. Believe it or not, adding humidity to the air can have some pretty amazing benefits for your health and your home!
So, why exactly should you consider a whole-home humidifier installation? Check out these top reasons;
Top Reasons for Whole Home Humidifiers Installation
- Comfort
Your heating system does a great job of keeping your home warm and comfy. However, as the house gets heated, the heat removes most of the moisture from the air. And, this can have some great effects on your home, making it quite uncomfortable.
A humidifier comes in and adds moisture to the air, helping alleviate dry air issues. It adds comfort to your home in the winter and can help reduce static electricity. Static electricity is dangerous in the house as it can even start fires.
Therefore, maintaining the right humidity level in your home is not only comfortable, but it’s also safe.
- Health
Dry air isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s also bad for your health. Dry air can aggravate allergies and asthma symptoms and make you more susceptible to colds and the flu.
A whole-home humidifier installation helps keep the relative humidity at a comfortable level. This, in turn, keeps your whole family healthy during the long winter months.
Some of the most common symptoms of dry air in the house include bloody noses, dry skin, sore throat, and even eye irritation. If you want to keep your household healthy, a humidifier is an excellent solution.
- Save Money
Believe it or not, adding humidity to your home can also save you some money. When the air is too dry, people tend to use more heating elements in an attempt to make up for the dryness.
This can drive up your energy bills and cost you a lot of extra money over time. A whole-home humidifier installation can help reduce the amount of energy that you need to heat your home. Subsequently, this will save you money on your monthly utility bills.
So, if you’re looking for a way to save some money while still keeping your home warm, installing a humidifier can sort you out.
- Convenience
A whole-home humidifier installation is also highly convenient. These devices come with automatic settings that allow you to set it and forget it.
You can set the desired humidity level for your home, and the humidifier will do the rest. The humidifier determines the humidity level in your home using a hygrometer and adjusts it accordingly.
This means that you don’t have to worry about constantly adjusting the settings or refilling the unit.
How to Install whole House Humidifier
Installing a whole-house humidifier is actually quite simple. You can either install it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.
If you’re planning on doing it yourself, make sure that you follow the instructions that come with your unit.
Generally, there are two options when installing the humidifier; one through the return duct and the other one by employing a bypass duct. The first option adds more moisture to the air before it gets heated, while the second one adds moisture to the already heated air.
But, whichever the option you choose, here are the best steps to follow during a whole-home humidifier installation;
- Mark the Humidifier Location
The first step is to mark the whole-house humidifier location. You will want to install it in a central spot where it can easily distribute humidity throughout your home.
Mark the hole with a felt-tip pen on the venting system. Next, use the marks you made as a guide to cut a hole to fit the humidifier.
From here, fix the mounting plate by drilling screw holes and tightening sheet metal screws.
- Install the Humidistat
The next step is to install the humidistat. The humidistat is a device that monitors and regulates the humidity in your home.
It’s important to place the humidistat away from any drafts or windows. Otherwise, it won’t be able to accurately gauge the humidity levels in your home.
Install it by removing the cover plate and connecting the wires according to their color code.
Then, screw the cover plate back on and mount the humidistat on the wall using screws. Be sure to leave enough slack in the wiring so that you can easily make any necessary repairs in the future.
- Connect the Humidistat to the Humidifier
Now, it’s time to connect the humidistat to the humidifier.
This is a simple process and can be done by using wire connectors. Just strip the insulation from the end of each wire and twist them together. Make sure that you do not over-tighten the connector, or it could damage the wires.
- Connect the Water Line to the Humidifier
The last step in installing a whole-home humidifier is connecting it to the waterline. If your local codes allow, you can do direct tapping of the waterline by installing a saddle valve.
Generally, experts recommend tapping the hot water line. If the local codes don’t permit saddle valves, install a T-fitting.
Whole House Humidifier Benefits
A whole-house humidifier installation has the following benefits;
- No Need to Move It
A whole-house humidifier is fixed. This means you don’t have to keep moving from one room to the other to add moisture. The device works to add moisture to your house from just where it sits.
- Easy Installation
The humidifier is pretty easy to install. And you can do it by following the whole-home humidifier installation steps above or hiring a professional to do it for you.
- Automatic Humidity Control
The whole-house humidifier is also extremely convenient. These devices come with automatic settings, meaning you can set your desired humidity level and forget it.
- Quiet Operation
This type of humidifier is also very quiet in operation. You’ll barely even notice it’s on! Therefore, you won’t have to worry about additional noise in your house.
- Filterless Design
Most whole-house humidifiers are filterless. This means that you don’t have to keep replacing the filters, saving you money in the long run.
- Low Maintenance
When it comes to maintenance, these types of humidifiers are pretty friendly. In fact, the only thing you need to do is keep the water tank filled. It’s one of the main whole-house humidifier benefits.