subject: Humidifiers: Why Are They Important To Your Home? [print this page] If you have been suffering from headaches more frequently or feeling fatigued, you can probably blame it on the humidity, or lack of it. Home comfort is dependent upon not only the temperature of the indoor air, but also on the humidity of the air. Having too little moisture is just as damaging as having too much moisture. If you notice that the air in your home is overly dry or that your skin feels dry, you may consider investing in a humidifier to incorporate into your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.
How Do They Work?
Humidifiers work by passing air through a damp filter or sponge. This moistened air travels through your home's ductwork to distribute throughout your home. The filter is kept damp constantly as air is passed through it. There are several types of humidifiers available. Steam humidifiers uses steam instead of a damp filter. The steam is blown through the ductwork every time the sensor detects a drop in the moisture level in your home.
Spray mist humidifiers will spray a fine mist of water directly into the ductwork that carries it through the home. This type of humidifier does not use a damp filter. A flow-through model uses a pad to absorb water that is blown through the ducts with the help of a blower fan. Wicking humidifiers operate in the same manner as an oil lamp. Water is placed in a reservoir and the water is wicked from the reservoir by a filter and blown through the ductwork by a blower fan.
Basic Maintenance Required
Because humidifiers use water, they should be cleaned regularly. The filter or sponge should be changed as often as the manufacturer recommends. This information can be found in the product manual. Your dealer or contractor can show you how to do this. You should also regularly inspect the unit visually. Look for leakages from the water supply line, the shutoff valve, drain line, and enclosure. Make sure that there is no leakage underneath the unit.
Maintain a regular cleaning schedule to prevent mold and milder from growing in the unit. You should also inspect your furnace and make any furnace repairs needed. Since you are pumping humid air through your ductwork, you should also implement a regular duct cleaning schedule. This will keep the mold and mildew at bay and help your humidifier perform optimally.
The Importance of Humidification
Maintaining proper humidity in your home is important to your health and your finances. If you home is too dry, you will tend to experience increased headaches, nosebleeds, dry skin, and sore throats. Air that is too dry can also compromise your immune system and make you more vulnerable to germs, bacteria, and viruses. Dry air also causes static electricity which can result in unpleasant shocks. You will also save money by installing a humidifier.
Most homeowner's insurance policies will automatically cover humidifiers, and you may qualify for tax credits, deductions, and exemptions. Be sure to check with your tax professional for details and to determine your eligibility. If the air is too humid, it can cause the wood doors, trim, floors, and furniture to warp and stretch. If the air is too dry, it can cause the wood to dry and crack. You will also lower energy costs with humidification. Too-humid air in the summer will not allow you to cool off, causing you to crank up the air conditioning. Too-dry air in the winter will not allow you to warm up easily, causing you to crank up the heat. Your contractor will be able to help you find the right level of humidification for your and program the settings for you so that you can experience optimum home comfort.
