Adding a whole-house humidifier to your HVAC system is a fantastic way to make sure the entire house has the right level of humidity. However, it’s natural to think about the added cost of
installation for a humidifier and whether the savings you make can balance it out.
The cost of a humidifier for your furnace is largely influenced by the type of humidifier you buy, with three main options available. Choosing the correct type of humidifier to match your furnace is essential and will help you to set the right budget.
Why Buy a Humidifier for My Furnace?
Using a humidifier in your home helps to prevent it from becoming too dry. When the air is too dry, it can lead to dry skin, hair, and other problems for your home and family.
A whole-house humidifier is an efficient option that helps to maintain healthy humidity levels throughout your home. It removes the need to have individual humidifiers in each room. Humidifiers are also often recommended for people with asthma or allergies who might be affected by dry air.
How Do I Choose the Right Furnace Humidifier?
There are several things to think about when choosing a humidifier for your furnace. One of the things to consider is the type of furnace and HVAC system you have. For example, flow-through or bypass humidifiers can be a good match if you have a forced-air furnace.
Consider the size of your home and the areas where you want to control the humidity. You might have certain parts of the house where moisture levels need to be controlled, or you might be looking for a whole-home humidifier for your entire house.
Different Types of Humidifiers
There are three main types of humidifiers that all have different purposes or applications. Speaking to an expert about your requirements is important to ensure you get the right humidifier for
your home. The key types of humidifiers are flow-through, fan-assisted, and steam humidifiers.
Flow-Through Humidifiers
Flow-through humidifiers (or bypass humidifiers) draw warm air from heat ducts and pass it through a water panel to add moisture to the air. This humidifier depends on a forced air furnace, making it an ideal choice if that’s the type of HVAC system you have.
One of the benefits of this is that flow-through humidifiers are generally the least expensive option, starting at around $500. These can be connected to the hot water side of your plumbing for convenience.
Fan-Assisted Humidifiers
Fan-assisted humidifiers are less dependent on the heat of a furnace to provide their key function. They can be good for modulating furnaces or heating options such as cold-climate heat pumps.
This type of humidifier works by using a fan to blow warm air across a water panel, ensuring that the air circulating in the home is at the right humidity level.
Fan-assisted humidifiers start at roughly $800, making them more expensive than flow-through humidifiers, but they are a more appropriate option for your home.
Steam Humidifiers
Steam humidifiers can be an excellent choice for anyone. They can humidify most homes if the right size is chosen and work by boiling water to create steam, even if the furnace isn’t currently running. However, there are some things to keep in mind.
These humidifiers require a direct power feed, and water quality is important. The water should be tested for conductivity to ensure the correct unit is chosen. These humidifiers also require more maintenance, which you should keep in mind.
A steam humidifier might be right for your home if you want a humidifier that doesn’t rely on a furnace. Steam humidifiers are the most expensive option, starting at around $3,000. However, they can offer several advantages, including for homes with alternative HVAC systems.
Humidifiers from Advanced HVAC Inc.
At Advanced HVAC Inc, we work with you to choose and install the best humidifier for your furnace or other HVAC systems. We offer a range of whole-home humidifier products, supplying mainly AprilAire and General Aire humidifiers to meet your needs.
If you are looking for the best humidifier for your home, contact us to learn more about the costs and options available to you. We can help you ensure the humidity in your home is balanced.
