Denver is famous for its walkable streets, lush city parks, enthusiastic sports fans, and friendly populace. With its gorgeous mountain backdrop and celebrated museums, Denver remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Unfortunately, the city’s high altitude and distance from water sources also mean that Denver has some of the driest air in the nation. Denver has low rainfall throughout the year, and the nearby Rocky Mountains create a barrier that blocks extra moisture from reaching the city. Dry winter air can exacerbate respiratory issues, increase static electricity, and even damage furniture and other wooden structures in your home. Fortunately, installing a humidifier can restore the balance of moisture in your home. An in-depth look at how whole-home humidifiers combat dry air can help you make an informed decision for your household.
What Is a Whole-Home Humidifier?
A whole-house humidifier is a device that adds moisture to your home’s air by working directly with your heating and cooling system. The purpose of a humidifier is to restore optimal moisture or indoor humidity levels within the house. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the ideal range for relative indoor humidity is between 30% and 50%. Any range lower than 20% results in problems from dry air. Homeowners can use a hygrometer to test humidity levels and then speak with an HVAC technician about installing a whole-house humidifier to rapidly restore water vapor to their interior air. Unlike singular or portable humidifiers that add water vapor to a limited space or single room, a whole-home humidifier works for your entire living space.
Why Is Air Drier During Denver’s Winters?
Air retains moisture through a phenomenon called vapor pressure. The air’s vapor pressure increases when temperatures are warmer but decreases as temperatures cool. In other words, warm air can hold more water vapor molecules than cold air. During the winter, the temperature in Denver can drop to lows of 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The city’s high elevation can also result in less vapor pressure for the air, and the barrier-like mountain range and minimal rain can limit regional moisture from humidifying the location. A whole-home humidifier can help protect your house from these natural climate challenges.
How Does a Whole-Home Humidifier Work?
A whole-home humidifier works via a direct connection to your HVAC system. It adds moisture to your whole home and manages its humidity levels. For this reason, some refer to this equipment as a “central humidifier.” A professional technician typically installs a whole-home humidifier to the household’s hot air ducts and cold air return. When indoor air becomes too dry, the humidifier powers on to produce a designated source of moisture. The exact source of moisture depends on the type of humidifier, but it is usually a water collection tray or a boiler. As air passes through your HVAC system’s ducts, it picks up water vapor from the moisture source before cycling back through your heater or furnace. Finally, the moisture-drenched air returns to your duct network for distribution to the rooms of your house.
What Are Types of Whole-Home Humidifiers?
There are three main types of whole-house humidifiers: bypass humidifiers, fan-powered humidifiers, or steam humidifiers.
Bypass Humidifiers
Bypass humidifiers use the furnace to draw warm air from your household’s heating ducts. The heated air passes over a water tray or pad to collect moisture. It then flows back into your ductwork for delivery through the house. A technician can install a bypass humidifier in either the supply or return plenum of your duct system. Most bypass humidifiers need a floor drain to eliminate excess moisture. If you don’t have a floor drain, ask about drainless bypass humidifier models instead. The good news is that drainless models can reuse the existing water supply, so the system ends up consuming less water overall.
Fan-Powered Humidifiers
As the name implies, a fan-powered humidifier uses a fan to push air over a water tray or panel. This helps facilitate exceptional water evaporation. According to the EPA, fan-powered humidifiers can produce a gallon more humidity per day compared to traditional equipment. They are suitable for humidifying larger homes, and they are also more energy efficient than conventional models.
Steam Humidifiers
Steam humidifiers use electricity to boil water. This results in steam that then travels into your ventilation system for distribution throughout your home. Think of this type of humidifier as the large-scale version of boiling hot water on the stove to produce vapor and steam. It’s one of the fastest methods to boost moisture levels in a dry home.
What Are the Benefits of Whole-Home Humidifiers?
Installing a whole-house humidifier offers several notable benefits. These benefits include improved indoor air quality, increased energy efficiency, and the potential protection of your belongings and property.
Improved Air Quality
Restoring moisture balance can help mitigate the negative effects of dry indoor conditions. Dry indoor air can cause unpleasant problems, like cracked or chapped lips, peeling or itchy skin, eye irritation, or a sore throat. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dry air can also desiccate the nasal tract and increase the risk of winter illnesses like viral infections. Overly dry air is often the culprit of anything from a winter nosebleed to an unexpected chest cold. Dry air can also cause more dust to circulate by making it easier for lightweight particles to become airborne. This can exacerbate winter allergies. Humidifiers help keep the air moist so that you can remain healthy and comfortable.
Increased Energy Efficiency
A whole-house humidifier can also boost energy efficiency. Higher humidity levels make indoor spaces feel warmer since water molecules retain heat. Keeping your house warmer longer can mean fewer cycles from your heater or furnace, thereby lowering your overall energy costs.
Potential Home Protection
Humidifiers may help protect your property, furnishings, electronics, and other belongings. Dry air can damage structures like wooden flooring, furniture, or musical instruments by causing them to crack or warp. Proper moisture levels help prevent this warping by restoring water molecules to natural or organic materials. Another problem with dry air is that it can lead to static discharge buildup. This can potentially damage electronics like computers, laptops, televisions, stereos, or smartphones. Correct moisture levels help reduce the chances of electrostatic discharge or shock.
How to Optimize Your Whole-Home Humidifier
A whole-house humidifier is highly reliable and doesn’t require constant cleaning or refills like portable humidifiers. However, it is important to optimize your whole-home humidifier by scheduling yearly inspections that coincide with the rest of your annual HVAC maintenance. Annual maintenance enables a technician to check for any blockages or obstructions, leaks, or worn-out elements. If your system requires it, technicians can also replace old collection trays or panels and correct issues like mineral or sediment buildup.
Our Expert Technicians
If you still have questions on how to make the most of this equipment for your household, there’s no need to worry. The experts are here to help. Summit Heating, A/C, Plumbing & Electrical provides humidifier services for homes in Denver, CO and the surrounding areas. In addition, we can supplement humidifiers with other indoor air quality equipment like air purifiers, air filters, or UV light installation. No matter the issue, we’re here to assist you.
Contact Summit Heating, A/C, Plumbing & Electrical today for all of your heating and cooling needs.
