Installing a Humidifier

As a home improvement project installing a humidifier is easy and will save you on heating cost. In winter months your house may become very dry from the heated air being circulated through your home. If the humidity in your home is too low during cold weather you will have to turn up the heat to be comfortable. In addition, if the air is too dry there are other things you may observe:

• More colds and flu than normal
• Dry and cracked skin or lips
• Static electricity
• A general feeling of discomfort and dryness
• Hardwood floors dry out, evident by the separation between the boards
• You feel cold although the temperature is at 72 degrees

These problems can be corrected by installing a humidifier to add moisture to the house. It is not uncommon for the relative humidity inside the house to drop below 30% during the heating season. Ideally it should be maintained between 30 and 50%. If you heat with baseboard electric or baseboard hot water you will have to rely upon a portable humidifier to add moisture to the house because there are no provisions to install a central humidifier system in houses with these heating systems. If your home is heated with a central heating system (HVAC) a humidifier can be hooked up to the central system. These types of humidifiers are easy to install and are not expensive. However, many homeowners stay away from central system humidifiers because the added moisture to the air ducts tends to cause other problems. The added moisture can cause the production of dust mites or the growth of harmful mold in the air ducts, making it necessary to clean the air ducts periodically which can be expensive. These homeowners elect to use a portable humidifier. They are very efficient and do a great job of maintaining the humidity in your home above 30%.

All humidifiers require periodic cleaning to avoid problems from mold and mildew. Although there are cleaning agents that can be added to the water tank to help keep the filter and fan clean they do not do a complete job and are expensive. I have found that adding a table spoon of Clorox to each eight gallons of water does a better job at keeping filter and fan clean.  If you follow the manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning, the unit will provide long and satisfactory service.

For excessive humidity during the summer season see my Installing a Dehumidifier suggestions.