In these modern times, new technology is a constant. Every time you turn around, there is a unique gadget or tool that is said to be guaranteed to improve your quality of life.
It’s understandable that keeping up can be a challenge. We want to make this process as easy as possible and provide you with a clear description of new technologies that might help you.
In this article, we will be covering how a furnace humidifier works! Furnace humidifiers are a helpful tool, but you must first understand how they work in order to unleash their full potential.
What is a Furnace Humidifier?
A furnace humidifier is a device that is set at a certain temperature and controls the amount of moisture that is in the air of your home. The way they work is by being installed in the ductwork that connects to the heating and cooling system.
The air will start in the furnace, and then passes by the fan and is expelled through the humidifier. They are beneficial for the following reasons:
While using a furnace during the colder months of the year, the air tends to become warm and dry. Air that is too dry is very uncomfortable for inhabitants of the home. This can include people living in the home, as well as pets and plant life.
Dry air can cause respiratory illnesses and sore throatsIn addition, to this, dry air in the home can negatively affect your eyes and irritate your skin. All this will put you at a higher risk of contracting colds and infections. Overall, this is an unhealthy living environment and can be detrimental to your health in the future.
When your home has high levels of humidity, the comfort of everyone will be lowered. Moisture will be taken from humans and pets in the home. A furnace humidifier is a barrier against this and will help your body defend against allergies and asthma.
Having a furnace humidifier also saves you energy costs. By reducing the amount of humidity in your home, you have flexibility with the temperature. You will be able to turn down your thermostat a few degrees, and still feel warm and comfortable. This will save you money in the long term.
Types of Furnace Humidifiers
Do furnace humidifiers really work? The answer is yes and, for the most part, three different types of furnace humidifiers are used:
Steam humidifiers
This type of humidifier will produce the most amount of moisture. It is also the most convenient to maintain. However, a fair amount of electricity is required for this type of humidifier, depending on which model you choose.
This humidifier has a very low chance of mold developing but you should still know how to clean a furnace humidifier and how to change or to replace a filter. The water that is in the humidifier reservoir will be automatically heated and converted into steam when the level of humidity is too high.
Flow through humidifiers
A humidifier like this is always passing a small amount of water through the warm air from the furnace. These require a humidifier pad that you will occasionally need to change so it’s good to read the specs and know how often to change it. Apart from this, they will not need much work from you. This type of furnace humidifier also have a very low chance of mold developing. For a flow-through humidifier, a nearby drain will be needed for any excess water that may try to escape.
Drum humidifiers
This humidifier is the cheapest, but it will involve the most amount of work. They have a pan of water underneath them, and a belt that rotates through the fan. When the belt is wet, the moisture is dispersed throughout the rest of the house when it leaves the furnace. The pan for this humidifier is a risk for mold developing, so therefore you must always remember to keep it clean. A drum humidifier is able to connect to your house’s water supply so that there is a constant supply.
Which is the Best Type of Furnace Humidifier?
By now you’re probably asking how much is a humidifier for a furnace. Truth is, it all depends on your needs and the model you go with, so be sure to do your research. If you have a large house that you are trying to make more comfortable, a steam humidifier will be the best option for you where necessary. It will give you the most moisture, which is suitable for a house with many rooms in it.
As well, a furnace humidifier does not need your heating system to be on in order to operate. This is a bonus, as you will not be wasting electricity with the heating system. The cost of this type of humidifier may be higher than the other options, however your maintenance costs will be lowered in the long run. Certain types of steam humidifiers have an automatic operation feature. This means that you can set up whatever humidity level you want your home to be at, and the humidifier will always maintain that level for you.
The opposite of this is true if you have a smaller house, or if you do not wish to spend as much money. A small house will do just fine with a drum furnace humidifier. It will reduce the humidity in a smaller area, which is just what you need it for. If the humidifier is not working too often, you will not need to clean out the water pan as frequently.
To Conclude
The purpose of a furnace humidifier is simple; to reduce the amount of humidity levels in your home. There are three types of furnace humidifiers, and each of them will come with its own set of pros and cons. The type of model that you choose will heavily depend on the size of the house that you are trying to reduce humidity. If you are undecided about what would best suit your needs, you can always do some extra research, or you could consult a professional. Going into a store in person is usually better because you can see exactly what it is that you are buying. You can also ask a sales representative at the store what their thoughts are based on your exact situation. At the end of the day, you will definitely feel better by removing the excess humidity in your home.
