Humidifier on the Furnace: Benefits, Problems, and Maintenance

G1 Air can install a whole-house humidifier in your San Antonio, TX home directly onto your HVAC system. There are many whole-home humidifier benefits that homeowners need to know about. One of the most important is enhancing your comfort throughout the colder and dry winter season.

What Is a Furnace Humidifier?

A whole-house humidifier, also referred to as a furnace humidifier, introduces more moisture into the air when your HVAC system is running. During the winter months, indoor air can be very dry. This can leave your home feeling uncomfortably cold. Low humidity can shrink wood furniture, cause dry and itchy skin, and even increase static electricity. When furnace humidity levels are within the range of 30% to 50%, you’ll feel more comfortable in your home.

Types of Whole-House Humidifiers

We offer a few different types of whole-house humidifiers for our San Antonio clients. Some of the most popular include bypass, fan-powered, and steam units. A bypass humidifier has a water pan installed in your ducting. As your furnace’s blower fan circulates air throughout your system and ducting, it will naturally introduce moisture into the air. Bypass humidifiers are very simple and have a decreased breakdown risk.

A fan-powered humidifier includes a fan that increases the amount of moisture that gets introduced into the air by way of a water panel. They’re a great option for enhanced comfort in medium-to-large homes.

Finally, there are steam humidifiers that offer precise humidity control by introducing moisture into the air that passes through your ducting. Bypass humidifiers are typically the cheapest, while steam humidifiers offer the best humidity control at a premium price.

Do You Need a Humidifier?

There are a few signs to look for that indicate dry air inside your home. You may notice an increase in static electricity. Your skin may feel very dry, and you may experience sinus irritation. This happens because the sensitive mucous membranes in your nose lack natural lubrication from the air. Pay attention to hardwood flooring cracking or wallpaper starting to peel.

One of the best ways to check the humidity level in your home is to test it with a hygrometer. The ideal indoor humidity level for any home is 30% to 50%. If your humidity level is consistently below 30%, you are experiencing dry indoor air. A whole-house humidifier can be the perfect solution to address this issue.

Benefits of Installing a Whole-House Humidifier

Using a whole-home humidifier provides better control over the humidity levels in your home. Dry air is less dense than moist air. You’ll notice that you’ll have to run your heating system more often to feel comfortable when the air in your home is dry.

However, when you invest in a whole-house humidifier, you can easily ensure the humidity level is between 30% and 50%. This will allow for more heat to be held in the air, increasing comfort. You may even find that you can turn down the temperature on your thermostat without compromising comfort. This can lead to lower utility bills throughout the winter season.

With a comfortable home humidity level, you’ll experience less dry skin and chapped lips. The wood components in your home will be less likely to experience damage, including your flooring, furniture, and baseboards. You’ll breathe easier and experience fewer allergies and asthma flare-ups. You’ll even be less likely to contract illnesses because your mucous membranes will stay hydrated and healthy.

Maintenance Requirements and Common Issues With Whole-House Humidifiers

Keeping up with humidifier maintenance is an absolute must to extend your system’s longevity and enhance your home comfort. Annual pad or filter replacement is necessary. If you have hard water in your home, you may need to replace the pad or filter more frequently. It’s always best to have one of our HVAC team members perform thorough humidifier maintenance once per year. We can inspect interior components and ensure proper calibration with your thermostat.

There are some common issues that homeowners can experience with their whole-home humidification system. The water lines and valves can crack over time, leading to leaks. This is especially common if you have hard water. The hygrometer in your thermostat may require recalibration. At times, the water supply line for your humidifier can become blocked due to sediment or mineral buildup. Sometimes we can flush the line, while it may be necessary to fully replace the line in certain situations.

Schedule Your Indoor Air Quality Consultation With G1 Air Today

Staying comfortable during the cold winter season includes maintaining optimal relative humidity in your home. Our team can assist with all your indoor air quality needs. We specialize in installing humidification systems so you can better control the humidity in your home.

If you are intrigued by the furnace humidifier benefits we discussed, it’s time to call G1 Air for a humidifier installation in San Antonio.