RESIDENTIAL HUMIDIFIERS

RESIDENTIAL HUMIDIER SERVICE AND REPAIR

Winter is practically Michigan’s middle name. Unfortunately, with winter comes dry indoor air that is only made worse by the heat we have on 24/7. The more you heat your indoor air, the more moisture gets sucked out of it, which is what starts the nosebleeds and dry skin. However, these aren’t symptoms you just have to deal with all winter. In fact, they can easily be remedied by a humidifier, and Reaume Heating and Cooling is your first call for humidifier installation. If you’re looking for a whole-home fix, it’s easiest to just get a humidifier installed within your HVAC system, which is a project that our professionals are well equipped for. We’ve got the materials and the experience to make sure that your home is comfortable to live in year-round.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR HUMIDIFIER?

If you’re considering installing a humidifier within your HVAC system, then Reaume Heating and Cooling should be your first call! With more than 45 years in the industry, we know how to properly install a system that provides comfort for your family year-round, without over humidifying your home.

Types of Humidifiers

Since you’ve decided a humidifier might be right for your home, it’s important to figure out what type of humidifier will work best for your needs, by size and type. So let’s start with size first:

Portable Humidifiers: These function best to humidify one small room, like a bedroom, and tend to be the most affordable. A great option if only one member of your family is experiencing the adverse effects of dry air, these basically plug in and go. There’s little to no installation, and all you really have to do is fill them up. They’re great for travel, since they’re small, and generally have to be refilled every few days.

Room Humidifiers: This mid-level option is great if you have a few rooms that could use a little bit of humidity. Usually humidifying about 650-1200 square feet efficiently, they’re great if you need more than one room humidified, but not the whole house. There are a bit more expensive than portable humidifiers, but they function on a larger area.

Whole House Humidifiers: If your home is extremely dry, or if it gets dry in the winter, then a whole-house humidifier might be the option for you. If you only need it once in awhile, you can choose from some of the “plug-in” style home humidifiers, or you might consider having a central humidifier instead. This one would install into your HVAC system, and is designed to efficiently humidify your entire home. Though it is more expensive to install, if you constantly need a humidifier, it may save you money in the long run to have it built into your HVAC system.

If you decide to go with any option other than the whole-home humidifier, you’ll next have to pick your humidification technique. Each type of humidifier functions differently, and there’s likely to be one method that works better for you and your family:

Ultrasonic: These humidifiers use an ultrasonic vibration to emit water into the air.

Evaporative: Uses a fan to blow air through a wet filter, belt, or wick, putting water into the air.

Impeller Humidifiers: Uses a rotating disk to produce mist.

Steam Vaporizers: Uses electricity to create steam that is then released into the air. This model is not recommended for children, as the hot water inside the vaporizer can cause burns if it’s spilled.

Finally, there are a few considerations to take note of when first installing your humidifier. As we mentioned before, it is helpful to know your humidity levels. It’s important that you don’t over-humidify your home, as that can lead to serious issues as well. Too much humidity in your home encourages bacteria growth, mold, and can exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms. That’s why we recommend a hygrometer to make sure that your home is always within optimal humidity levels.

How to know when you need a humidifier

Humidifiers are a great way to make your home more comfortable in dry winter months. Some regions of the US are just extremely dry, and might even need a humidifier year round. Not sure if it’s right for you? Here’s a few signs that it might be time for you to invest in a humidifier of some sort.

Cold and Flu: If your family tends to catch colds and come down with the flu regularly, a humidifier might be the answer. Dry air makes it easier for viruses to pass from person to person, and thrive. A humidifier also alleviates the discomfort associated with symptoms of the common cold as well as bronchitis. Dry throats and noses will thank you once the air is a little more humid and easier to breathe.

Nosebleeds: If a member of your family has been getting nosebleeds frequently, dry air is probably the leading culprit. Dry air can make the skin around the nose more prone to cracks and bleeding. The best way to beat those is to add a bit of moisture to the air with a humidifier.

Dry Skin: If you have dry skin, and especially if you have a dermatological condition that dries out your skin and makes it itchy, those problems will only be exacerbated by dry, heated air in the winter. A humidifier can go a long way to ease the itchy feeling, since more humid air will dry out your skin less.

Static Electricity: If you’re noticing a lot of static electricity in your home, it could be because the air is too dry. Other visible signs of very dry air are cracking wood furniture, as well as peeling wallpaper or paint. If you see a lot of these signs, you should start thinking about a humidifier, even if it’s not visibly affecting your health yet.

Humidity Level: Finally, if you suspect the air in your home might be too dry, the best way to tell is to get your hands on a hygrometer. This device will be able to accurately discern just what percentage of humidity you have in your home. Best case scenario, your home humidity levels should be somewhere between 30% and 50% humidity. Below that is too dry, and above that is too humid.