If you use a humidifier regularly but you are tired of continually filling the tank
on your portable humidifier, or if you are tired of replacing them after a couple of years of use it may be time to consider a whole house humidifier. A whole house humidifier typically runs with your HVAC and plumbing systems to help keep your air at an optimum humidity level. There are a few different types available.
Drum Whole House Humidifiers
Drum humidifiers are often one of the less expensive types of whole house humidifiers. They get their name because they have a frame that is drum-shaped. This frame is connected to a belt that rotates the humidifier pad through the reservior of water at the bottm of the drum. The heating system then collects and sends the moisture throughout the house via the vents.
With this type of system it is important to clean the reservior regularly to prevent mold from growing. You will also need to check and replace the humidifier pads periodically. But overall this system is fairly inexpensive to maintain.
Bypass Whole House Humidifiers
Bypass humidifiers use an aluminum pad, sometimes called a biscuit. Water is sprayed onto this pad when the hygrostat determines it is time for more humidity, the warm air passes through the pad and carries the moisture into the home.
This type of home humidifier requires less maintenance and offers less of a chance for mold growth, but it is more expensive to purchase.
Spray Mist Whole House Humidifiers
Spray, or spray mist, humidifiers use an electronic mister to mist water directly into the air duct while the heating system is turned on.
Because there is no reservoir there isn't much of a mold concern with this style of humidifier and it shouldn't require too much maintenance. The spray nozzle can get clogged over time so it will need to be cleaned periodically, how often will depend on your the mineral content in your water.
Console Whole House Humidifiers
Console humidifiers are one other option. These systems are not connected to your HVAC and plumbing like the other options listed. They are somewhat like a glorified portable humidifier as they need to be filled with water and they typically use a humidifier filter that will periodically need to be replaced. But they cover a larger square footage than a portable version and most models have a humidistat so you can monitor the level of humidity in your home.