“Why Is My House So Dry?”-Question Submitted by Sandra W. South Riding, VA
It’s that time of year again! The time when touching a door handle can give you a jolt of static shock, and your hair provides enough electricity to power a lightbulb. If you and your family are tentatively touching metal and using Static Guard on everything, you are experiencing these events because the air in your home is overly dry. It might be time to consider a Home Humidifier to wipe out that desert feeling. Your home should have a humidity of about 30% to 35% when the weather is cold. This amount of moisture in the air will keep your home comfortable. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to choose the right humidifier for your home. Here are a few tips on finding a humidifier to put a healthy amount of moisture back into the air!
There are several humidifier options out there today, namely the Bypass, Power, and Steam. The trick is finding which of these options is the best choice for your home and budget. It’s best to consider facts about the humidifiers as well as your home before making a decision on one.
1. Bypass Humidifier:
One of the most common humidifier choices is the Bypass Humidifier. This model is probably the most popular due to its affordability and overall performance. A valve connects the humidifier to the residential water supply and is then installed into the ducting leading out of your furnace. A humidity sensor regulates and controls the flow of the water into the humidifier. The water travels to an evaporator pad which controls dispersion, it wets the pad, and a fan blows the proper amount of water through the coils and out into your home. This option is for a regular size home that only needs the normal amount of moisture in the air, it isn’t meant for heavy-duty work. It’s easy on your budget, and maintenance consists of pad replacement once a year, making it an obvious choice.
2. Power Humidifier
The second common humidifier is the Power Humidifier. Like the Bypass, it’s designed for normal-size residences that need a little extra moisture. The main difference between the Power and Bypass is that the Power doesn’t use bypass ducts to operate. It’s more expensive than the Bypass, which could be a deterrent for those of us who are watching our pennies. Maintenance consists of oiling the humidifier frequently. The Power humidifier is a good choice for a home where other humidifiers won’t fit. Without the worry of ducts, the installation process is much simpler.
3. Steam
Steam humidifiers are a high-end option. These models are built for bigger jobs, making them more effective. They work with heated air and have the ability to put out a lot more humidity than the average machine. The downside is the pricing, which is a good deal higher than the Bypass or Power. Another factor in the equation is that Steam humidifiers use an electric heating element to heat the water, using far more energy than the other options.
