A better fix for dry winter air

If you have ever refilled a tabletop humidifier every night all winter, you know the routine gets old fast. You fill it, clean it, wipe up the white dust it leaves on furniture, and it still only helps one room.

A whole home humidifier solves the problem at the source. It installs on your furnace, connects to a water line and adds moisture to the warm air as it moves through your ductwork. Every room with a supply vent gets the benefit, and there is nothing to refill.

For homes across the Denver metro, where winter humidity indoors often drops well below 20 percent, it is one of the most noticeable comfort upgrades you can make.

The three main types

Bypass humidifiers. These are the most common. A short duct connects the warm supply side of the furnace to the return side. Some of the warm air passes through a wet water panel, picks up moisture and goes back into the system. They are simple, affordable and reliable. Most use a little water that drains away as it flows over the panel.

Fan powered humidifiers. These work like a bypass unit but have their own small fan to push air across the water panel. That means more moisture output and no bypass duct. They are a good fit for larger homes or when there is not room for a bypass duct.

Steam humidifiers. These heat water into steam and inject it directly into the ductwork. They produce the most moisture, hold a set humidity level very precisely and can run even when the furnace is not heating. They cost more upfront and use more electricity, so they make the most sense for very large or very dry homes, or homes with special needs such as wood instrument collections.

What installation looks like

For most homes, installing a whole home humidifier on an existing furnace takes a few hours. A technician will:

1. Choose the right spot on the supply or return plenum

2. Cut the opening and mount the humidifier

3. Run a water line, usually from a nearby cold water pipe

4. Connect a drain line for bypass and fan powered units

5. Wire the unit to the furnace so it only runs when needed

6. Install a humidity control, either a wall control or one built into a smart thermostat

7. Test the system and set a starting humidity level

Some controls include an outdoor temperature sensor. On very cold days they automatically lower the target humidity so your windows do not fog or frost on the inside.

Keeping it working well

Denver water is moderately hard, and minerals build up over time. A little maintenance keeps a humidifier working all season.

• Replace the water panel or pad at least once a heating season. A crusty, scaled panel does not absorb water well.

• Check the drain line so it is clear and draining freely.

• Clean or replace steam canisters on the schedule the manufacturer recommends.

• Close the bypass damper in summer on bypass units if you have central air, so humid air does not go through the system during cooling season.

• Bundle it with your furnace tune up. The easiest way to stay on top of it is to have the humidifier checked during your annual heating service.

Is a whole home humidifier worth it?

For most Denver homeowners who deal with static, dry skin, cracked wood floors or scratchy mornings every winter, the answer is yes. It runs quietly in the background, protects your home and furnishings, and many people find they can set the thermostat a little lower because humid air feels warmer.

It may not be the right fit if your furnace is near the end of its life. In that case, it often makes sense to plan the humidifier with the new system.

Local humidifier installation and service

Allegiance National HVAC installs, repairs and maintains whole home humidifiers across the Denver metro, including Northglenn, Commerce City and Lafayette. We will look at your furnace, your home size and how dry it gets, and recommend the type that fits.

Call Allegiance National HVAC at (720) 837 0377 to add a whole home humidifier before the coldest months.