A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to indoor air in a single room or throughout an entire house. Whole-home humidifiers may use the fan in your furnace or air handler to blow humidified air throughout the ductwork, or they may work independently of your heating and cooling system to maintain humidity levels even when the furnace or air handler isn’t operating.
How do I know if I need a humidifier?
Low humidity can have a negative impact on your home and your health. First, it can dry out skin and airways, leaving family members vulnerable to colds and respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis. Dry air can also cause cracks in plaster, drywall and wood furniture – which can become costly repairs.
Plus, low humidity makes indoor air feel colder than it actually is, so you’ll likely need to turn up your thermostat to feel comfortable. In this case, you’ll feel the effects on your utility bills as well. Installing a whole-home humidifier is an easy way to enhance your family’s comfort and health, without increasing your heating costs.
What type of humidifier should I buy?
There are two main types of humidifiers: portable and whole-home. Portable units can add moisture to the air in a single room, but they need frequent maintenance and cleaning. Whole-home humidifiers work with your heating and cooling system to effectively balance humidity levels throughout your entire house. That means family members will be breathing healthier air and you’ll likely be able to lower your thermostat as well.
Whole-home humidifiers include bypass and power options. Bypass humidifiers work with your air handler or furnace fan to direct humidified air throughout the home. Power humidifiers work independently of your heating and cooling system, using a built-in fan to distribute humidified air even when your system isn’t running. The Healthy Climate® collection from Lennox offers efficient power humidifiers and bypass humidifiers that are easy to maintain and don’t emit ozone, a known lung irritant.
