Whole Home Humidifiers
Flow-Thru and Bypass Humidifiers
Whole home humidifiers use your furnace and vent system to add water vapor to your home. There are two very common types of humidifiers which can be installed in a home:
- Flow-thru humidifiers (also known as flow-through and central humidifiers) have a built-in fan that pulls air through a moisturized pad. Air is subsequently moved by the heating or central air fan and distributed throughout the home. Flow-thru models do not allow water to collect bacteria, as it is never stagnant. They only hydrate when your ventilation system’s fan is on.
- A bypass humidifier system uses a bypass in the home’s airflow system. This generates pressure which sucks the air into the humidifier where it passes through a moisturized pad that humidifies the home.
Which do you prefer?
The bypass humidifier relies on pressure generated by your furnace or ventilation system and thus it cuts down on the airflow available through your system. The notable disadvantage of the flow-thru is that the extra fan may be noisy. If there is a bedroom near the area where you install your humidifier, you may want to consider the noise problem.
A whole home humidifier (either a flow-thru or a bypass) will cost in the range of $250 up to $500 for a top-of-the-line model. These can be installed by able do-it-yourselfers. On the other hand, a professional installation may be wisest.
One health consideration in these types of whole home humidifiers is the hardness of your water and whether your water is filtered or not. There has been some concern expressed by the EPA about the minerals found in some water becoming airborne. There may also be calcium buildup on the units themselves.
Be sure that your unit is properly serviced or sanitized properly, or it may contribute to the growth of mold spores in ductwork and internally in walls.
If you are going to do a self-install, be absolutely certain that the whole home humidifier you are looking into will be compatible with your existing furnace and that adding it will not negate your furnace’s warranty! A good service rep will also be mindful of this.
Finally, shop around for the best service package, return policy, and warranty.
Some pros of whole home humidifiers are:
- Lower maintenance than portable humidifier units.
- Good for persistent breathing issues, dry skin, cracked furniture, pets, etc.
- Can cover multi-rooms or your entire house where portable units are limited.
- Can be attached to your water system, so refilling may not be necessary.
- Can use a humidistat to set a proper humidity level that’s right for you.
- Automatic flush systems self-clean each day, every two days or once a week, preventing stagnant water and calcium deposits.
- Top models generally can add 14 gallons in 24 hours.
Some of the cons related to furnace (or whole home) humidifiers are:
- These need replacement filters (some only yearly).
- You may have some problems with mineral deposits and this may require regular (usually yearly) servicing. Check with your furnace humidifier dealer.
Other types of whole home humidifiers
A steam humidifier is another type of whole home humidifier. These are less popular because they are messier and a less efficient way of moisturizing the air in your home.
A ceramic wick humidifier was used in some older homes. Ceramic wick humidifiers worked by hanging over a heat exchanger. This actually led to stagnant water and bacteria buildup.
