You think the air inside your house might be a bit dry, so you buy a small humidifier for your living room. After turning it on and letting it run for a few hours, you don’t notice any difference. The main reason you do not notice a change in your air quality is because a small humidifier doesn’t have the power you need to treat the entire house.
To help you determine if a whole-house humidifier is the correct choice for you, we have created a list of the advantages of this type of system. In addition, we have summarized the process of purchasing and installing a home humidifier.
Advantages of Investing in a Whole-House Humidifier
Is installing a whole-house humidifier worth the money? The answer to this question is almost always yes (depending on where you live). Here are a few of the most important reasons you should invest in a central humidifier.
Makes It Easier to Sleep
Dry air leads to a dry respiratory system. If your home is full of dry air, you’re more likely to snore while you’re asleep. While this might not be a problem for the snorer, it can keep others awake. A home humidifier makes breathing easier for your respiratory system, which will keep the house quieter when people are sleeping.
Reduces Allergy Symptoms
A whole-house humidifier can’t get rid of your allergies, but it can make the symptoms much more manageable. It will keep your throat and skin from drying out, which will reduce coughing, irritation, swelling, and running noses.
Increases the Life Cycle of Your Furniture
Dry air will suck the moisture out of your furniture. This can lead to cracking in your furniture, especially if it’s made of wood. But it’s not just your furniture you have to worry about. If you don’t own a whole-house humidifier, the dry air can cause hardwood floor and window frames to crack or split as well.
Gives You Healthier Skin
A humidifier helps hydrate your skin—an important component in reducing itching and irritation. To fight this dryness, your skin might attempt to produce extra oil, which can lead to acne. If you can’t figure out why your skin isn’t clear, dry air might be the culprit.
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Relieves a Sore Throat and Sinuses
If your respiratory system gets too dry, you can find yourself living with sore throats or coughing spells even when you aren’t sick. When the flu season does roll around, your symptoms will be even worse than normal. Integrating a humidifier with your furnace can help you stay healthier at all times of the year.
It Requires Minimal Hardware Maintenance
You don’t have to do much to take care of your whole-house humidifier. The system is installed in the air ducts, and since it is connected to your water supply, it has everything it needs to treat the air in your entire home. This is much cheaper than trying to run several smaller humidifiers throughout your house.
Do You Need To Install a Humidifier in Your House?
There are some cases that may not require a whole-house humidifier.. For example, if you live in a naturally humid environment, you may not need to install a whole-house humidifier. Why? Because the air in your home is already moist, meaning you may not need to do anything more.
However, if the humidity level in your home is below 30%, it’s a good idea to invest in a central humidifier. Standard humidity levels for your home should be around 30% to 50%.
How Long Does a Whole-House Humidifier Last?
On average, home humidifiers last about 10 years. You should never wait longer than this to replace your humidifier, even if it still seems to be working. As it ages, the humidifier will require more energy to perform at the same level, meaning your energy bill will go up. You’ll save money by upgrading rather than trying to keep your old system running.
4 Ordinary Causes of Humidifier Leaks
A leak is one of the most common home humidifier problems. If you think your humidifier might have a leak, here are the things you should check first.
1. Water Backup in the Drainage Pipe
Make sure your drain line slopes down toward the drain. If the line doesn’t slope, air bubbles can get stuck inside and cause a water backup in your whole-house humidifier. Adjusting the line and rinsing it out with water should fix the problem.
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2. Collection of Mineral Deposits on the Humidifier Filter
Over time, the humidifier filter will fill up with debris. In severe cases, it can form a clog. If the water can’t get through, it will leak out in other places. Clean your filter to remove the mineral deposits. If you think it needs more than a good scrub, you can also replace it with a new one.
3. Malfunctioning or Damaged Solenoid Valve
To enter the humidifier, the water has to flow through the solenoid valve. If this valve gets clogged with debris, it can cause the valve to stay open, which can lead to a whole-house humidifier leak. Removing the clog should be all you need to keep the water from leaking in the future.
4. High Water Pressure
Is your water pressure higher than 125 psi? If so, your system can’t handle the strong flow. Turn your water pressure down to at least 125 psi to keep the water from leaking.
How To Install or Replace a Central Humidifier in Your Home
Are you ready to install a whole-house humidifier in your home? Don’t hesitate to take a look at some of our services. We offer emergency plumbing and HVAC services such as central humidifier installation, water heater repair, furnace replacement, sump pump installation, and air conditioning repair. Our team at Wm. Henderson has been providing residents in Chester County, Delaware County, and the Main Line quality plumbing, heating, and cooling services since 1977. We can help you find the right home humidifier system for your needs and get it up and running as soon as possible. We provide humidifier install and repair services in areas such as Wayne, West Chester, Ardmore, and Broomall. Get in touch with us to set up an appointment today!
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