Whole Home Humidifiers
Install a whole home humidifier to alleviate the problems associated with dry indoor air in the winter in Utah
Increase your wellness with a whole home humidifier. A whole house humidifier is a great option if you are concerned with or dealing with dryness issues or are tired of dealing with portable one room humidifiers.
Firing up your furnace during Utah’s cold winter can really dry out the air. Dry air causes chapped lips, dry itchy skin, dry brittle hair, dry eyes, respiratory issues, nosebleeds, and cracked woodwork. And as referenced by Vicks (the cold medicine manufacturer), a dry environment allows the flu virus to live longer.

A humidifier adds moisture back into the air through cool mist or steam.
Once a whole house humidifier is installed, operating it is simple. Just set the humidity level based on the outside temperature, and the humidifier will run automatically as needed.
Types of Whole House Humidifiers
The three most common types of whole house humidifiers are the bypass whole house humidifier, fan powered humidifier, and steam humidifier.
Bypass Whole House Humidifiers
Bypass humidifiers work by circulating air from the furnace through a water-soaked medium or pad. This moisturized air is then recirculated into the air ducts and dispersed through your home.
Pros
Quieter to run than fan powered models.
Less moving parts, which means there is less that can break.
Cons
Not as efficient as a fan powered humidifier as some of the humidity is lost as the air circulates through the furnace. Some heat is also lost in the process of warming the water vapor.
Requires the furnace to be running to operate.
Fan Powered Whole House Humidifiers
Fan powered humidifiers work the same way as bypass humidifiers but have their own fans to blow the air across the water soaked medium or pad.
Pros
A fan powered humidifier is able to produce a gallon more humidity per day than a bypass humidifier.
Cons
Not as quiet as a bypass humidifier
Steam Humidifiers
Steam humidifiers use an electric heating element to heat a canister of water to generate steam. That steam is shot into the plenum of the furnace and distributed to the rest of the house.
Pros
Steam humidifiers can be more efficient than fan powered or bypass humidifiers because it generates its own heat.
They are cleaner. The use of steam helps to prevent bacteria growth.
Cons
Steam humidifiers cost more initially and to operate than bypass humidifiers.
What to Know About Whole House Humidifiers
Yearly Maintenance
Whole house humidifiers need to be maintained yearly, which most homeowners can do themselves. A simple cleaning and replacement of the humidifier pad are usually recommended to be done yearly.
If you have a steam humidifier we recommend having a technician from Black Diamond Experts perform your yearly maintenance.The canister (steam producing tank) and probes might need to be replaced periodically.
Monitor the Humidity Levels
Many humidifiers come with humidistats that let you know the humidity level in your home. These can also be purchased separately for under $20. It’s important to make sure that you do not over humidifier your home as well. Too much moisture in the air can lead to mold growth. Condensation on the windows or the appearance of fog on windows or glass would be a sign that your humidity level is too high.
If you are interested in a whole home humidifier and want to alleviate your dry indoor air, give the technicians at Black Diamond Experts a call today!