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1. Why are humidifiers so important?
2. Which type of humidifier works the best?
3. How can added moisture actually reduce my heating bill?

1. Why Are Humidifiers So Important?

Comfort Considerations

• Dry skin
• Difficulty sleeping
• Static Electricity
• Shrinking hardwood furniture & flooring

High Moisture Levels

• Bacteria growth
• Viruses
• Molds
• Fungi
• Dust Mites
• Increases Off-Gassing

Low Moisture Levels

• High dust levels
• Respiratory infections

Ideally, humidity levels between 30% and 55% are considered best for the health of the occupants and the health of the house.

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2. Which type of Humidifier works the best?

Drum-Type

Most homeowners are accustomed to seeing the older, drum type of humidifiers available at most of the big box retailers. These have been available for decades and, while they are effective at providing high levels of humidification and water conservation, they have serious flaws.

Firstly, they accumulate significant quantities of mineral and calcium deposits in the tray. And secondly, and most importantly, standing water in the tray can lead to mould and bacteria growth in your duct system.

In cases where access to a drain is an issue however, or in communities where water costs are high, this type of humidifier is probably more appropriate.

Bypass (Flow-Through) Type

Today, most contractors prefer to install this newer type of technology because they're not only easy to install, they offer homeowners a low maintenance solution, and they perform very well.

Typically, in a flow-through humidifier, a solenoid valve meters water into a trough that disperses water across a pad. The humidifier is mounted on the vertical warm air supply or cold air return plenum. The pressure differential pulls air into a bypass duct and through the humidifier. Excess water drains from the bottom of the unit. This flushes out minerals and sediment. As a result, the pad must be replaced approximately once per year.

As with all things in life, there is a drawback with this type of technology. Water consumption can be very high with these types of humidifiers as only about 20% of the water is converted into humidity. Most of the water is used to flush the humidifier pad to reduce mineral buildup.

The good news however, is that this problem can be minimized. If the contractor wires the humidifier so that it only operates when the heating cycle is on (rather than with just the fan), evaporation is increased significantly and water consumption is reduced.

Secondly, in certain challenging circumstances, the water temperature may need to be adjusted (warmer) in order to facilitate increased rates of evaporation.

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3. Moisture - It's Not an Option!

The bottom line is that adequate levels of moisture not only dramatically increase your level of comfort in the winter months, it preserves your furniture and hardwood flooring, and most importantly contributes to a healthy living environment inside your home.

And here's an interesting bit of trivia for you. Did you know that a little bit of moisture in the winter months can actually save you money on your heating bills? That's right. Moist air actually feels more comfortable than dry air, which theoretically means you can reduce the setting on your thermostat by a few degrees without compromising your comfort!

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