During winter, does the air in your home feel like something out of the desert? Dry? Scratchy? Sharp? Well, you’re not the only one to experience that in the Wheaton area. Our HVAC experts have heard of similar problems before. And, quite often, the problem is a lack of humidity. That’s where central humidifiers come in.
A whole-house humidifier works with your HVAC system to deliver moisture throughout your home. With the exception of steam, they all operate off of the same basic principles. When your humidifier is turned on, water accumulates inside of an internal tray or evaporator pad. Air is then passed over these trays to gather moisture. It is then pushed into your home’s ductwork for distribution. This lowers the dryness of your air. A discussion of the benefits of central humidifiers and a quick breakdown of some major types follows.
People can often tell when their furnace or air conditioner is in need of repair. But humidity issues, including too much humidity, are much more difficult to spot. Fortunately, the symptoms are there; you just need to know what they are. Here are the most common symptoms that your air could use some extra moisture:
1. You have dry eyes, a scratchy throat, or a constantly running nose
2. Your skin and scalp are always dry
3. You tend to generate a lot of static electricity as you walk across carpeting
4. Wood furniture and floors are drying and cracking
5. Your home struggles to get warm
6. Respiratory or asthma issues refuse to subside
7. Your hygrometer is consistently below 35 percent
Fortunately, if you live in Wheaton, our indoor air quality experts are just a phone call away.
Installing a whole-house or furnace-mounted humidifier provides the following benefits:
1. Healthier Skin:If you suffer from dermatitis or acne, you know how annoying dry skin can be. In homes with dry, cold air, these conditions worsen. The moisture a home humidifier puts in the air helps your skin maintain moisture and keep its elasticity. Over time, this leads to fewer wrinkles and more supple skin.
2. Easier Flu Seasons: Your respiratory system needs to stay moist to keep you breathing happily and pain-free. Dry air saps moisture from your inner membranes and causes them to become irritated. This leads to scratchy, sore throats and an unhealthy respiratory system. When this happens, viruses have an easier time getting in and wreaking havoc. Dry air also allows for the easier spread of disease and exacerbates already-irritating symptoms. Adding a humidifier in Wheaton can make it easier to stay healthy.
3. Better Sleep: Nothing makes it harder to sleep than a snorer. Overly dry air increases the likelihood of snoring and can lead to insomnia for the person stuck listening to it. Even if you don’t end up keeping half the neighborhood up with your snoring, you may end up with a serial cough. In other words, if you want good quality sleep, you need a whole house humidifier.
4. Less Severe Allergy Symptoms: An allergy is what happens when your body overreacts to a foreign substance. This causes your mucous membranes (which are a key part of the respiratory system) flare up and swell. Your eyes also begin to water and your nose begins to run. In homes with dry air, these symptoms become even worse.
5. Furniture Protection: Want to be able to hand down grandma’s armoire to your daughter? Hoping to keep those original hardwood floors flush and tight? Consider installing a whole-home humidifier. Overly dry air not only sucks water from your body but also from porous materials such as wood. With less moisture to keep them viable, things like doors, window frames, tables, and floors can begin to crack. Installing a whole house humidifier in Wheaton can extend the lifespan of your wooden valuables.
These advantages more than make up for the cost of whole house humidifier installation in Wheaton. In just a few years, many homeowners recoup the value of their investment. For help choosing a specific unit, give our indoor air quality experts a call at (630) 260-0030.
There are three different types of humidifiers typically seen in residential homes. Which is right for you depends on a mixture of square footage, HVAC setup, and budget.
Bypass humidifiers are the least expensive and most popular of the central humidifiers. They work by taking warm air from your ducts and passing it over a water tray. This allows the air to collect moisture before it circulates back through your home. This system can be installed on the supply or return side of your unit. Unlike options lower on this list, this one does not require a separate power source but relies on your furnace’s blower motor to operate.
Bypass humidifiers are the least expensive and most popular of the central humidifiers. They work by taking warm air from your ducts and passing it over a water tray. This allows the air to collect moisture before it circulates back through your home. This system can be installed on the supply or return side of your unit. Unlike options lower on this list, this one does not require a separate power source but relies on your furnace’s blower motor to operate.
Need to humidify a 3,000-4000 sq. ft. house in Wheaton? Steam humidifiers use electricity to boil water and release it in the form of steam. Your ventilation system then picks up these heated vapors and distributes them throughout your home. Faster and more efficient than the other two types, they’re the best way to keep your larger home at an ideal humidity level.
Homeowners in Glen Ellyn rely on existing humidifiers to keep their home cool and breathing easy. But there are times when it stops working or, at least, doesn’t do as well as it can. Your scratchy throat has returned. The cracking in your floors could be making a resurgence. No matter what the issue is, our central humidifier repair experts are here to fix it. Reach out to us through our website or phone to get an appointment scheduled.
Wheaton and the surrounding areas get cold and dry when winter descends. This can make your furnace struggle to reach your desired temperature. Installing a whole house humidifier will give the typical heating system the boost it needs to guarantee all-year comfort. We offer free quotes on humidifier replacement and installation. Call (630) 260-0030 to ask for yours.
Though central humidifiers require less maintenance than portable ones, they’re not completely hassle free. We recommend homeowners in Wheaton schedule an annual maintenance visit with one of our HVAC experts. While there, our technician will clean the system and remove any mineral or mold buildup when they replace the disposable pad. They will also check the humidifier for any signs of damage.
Own a business in Glen Ellyn or Wheaton? Well, you can also take advantage of our humidifier services. Our ample experience with commercial HVAC clients gives us a unique perspective on the importance of humidity to optimal comfort. Whether you need a new humidifier installed or a quick repair, our technicians will work with you to minimize disturbances.