Whole House Humidifiers
Whole House Humidifier Service in Oak Park
Stop Your Home’s Air from Being Dry with Our Home Humidifier Service in Oak Park
During winter, does the air in your home feel like something out of the desert? Dry? Scratchy? Sharp? Well, you’re not the only one to experience that in the Oak Park area. Our HVAC experts have heard of similar problems before. And, quite often, the problem is a lack of humidity. That’s where central humidifiers come in.
A whole-house humidifier works with your HVAC system to deliver moisture throughout your home. With the exception of steam, they all operate off of the same basic principles. When your humidifier is turned on, water accumulates inside of an internal tray or evaporator pad. Air is then passed over these trays to gather moisture. It is then pushed into your home’s ductwork for distribution. This lowers the dryness of your air. A discussion of the benefits of central humidifiers and a quick breakdown of some major types follows.
Signs Your Home Might Need a Whole House Humidifier
People can often tell when their furnace or air conditioner is in need of repair. But humidity issues, including too much humidity, are much more difficult to spot. Fortunately, the symptoms are there; you just need to know what they are. Here are the most common symptoms that your air could use some extra moisture:
- You have dry eyes, a scratchy throat, or a constantly running nose
- Your skin and scalp are always dry
- You tend to generate a lot of static electricity as you walk across carpeting
- Wood furniture and floors are drying and cracking
- Your home struggles to get warm
- Respiratory or asthma issues refuse to subside
- Your hygrometer is consistently below 35 percent
Fortunately, if you live in Oak Park, our indoor air quality experts are just a phone call away.
The Benefits of Central Humidifier Installation in Oak Park
Installing a whole-house or furnace-mounted humidifier provides the following benefits:
- Healthier Skin: If you suffer from dermatitis or acne, you know how annoying dry skin can be. In homes with dry, cold air, these conditions worsen. The moisture a home humidifier puts in the air helps your skin maintain moisture and keep its elasticity. Over time, this leads to fewer wrinkles and more supple skin.
- Easier Flu Seasons: Your respiratory system needs to stay moist to keep you breathing happily and pain-free. Dry air saps moisture from your inner membranes and causes them to become irritated. This leads to scratchy, sore throats and an unhealthy respiratory system. When this happens, viruses have an easier time getting in and wreaking havoc. Dry air also allows for the easier spread of disease and exacerbates already-irritating symptoms. Adding a humidifier in Oak Park can make it easier to stay healthy.
- Better Sleep: Nothing makes it harder to sleep than a snorer. Overly dry air increases the likelihood of snoring and can lead to insomnia for the person stuck listening to it. Even if you don’t end up keeping half the neighborhood up with your snoring, you may end up with a serial cough. In other words, if you want good quality sleep, you need a whole house humidifier.
- Less Severe Allergy Symptoms: An allergy is what happens when your body overreacts to a foreign substance. This causes your mucous membranes (which are a key part of the respiratory system) flare up and swell. Your eyes also begin to water and your nose begins to run. In homes with dry air, these symptoms become even worse.
- Furniture Protection: Want to be able to hand down grandma’s armoire to your daughter? Hoping to keep those original hardwood floors flush and tight? Consider installing a whole-home humidifier. Overly dry air not only sucks water from your body but also from porous materials such as wood. With less moisture to keep them viable, things like doors, window frames, tables, and floors can begin to crack. Installing a whole house humidifier in Oak Park can extend the lifespan of your wooden valuables.
These advantages more than make up for the cost of whole house humidifier installation in Oak Park. In just a few years, many homeowners recoup the value of their investment. For help choosing a specific unit, give our indoor air quality experts a call at (312) 858-0358.
Types of Whole House Humidifiers
There are three different types of humidifiers typically seen in residential homes. Which is right for you depends on a mixture of square footage, HVAC setup, and budget.
Bypass Humidifiers
Bypass humidifiers are the least expensive and most popular of the central humidifiers. They work by taking warm air from your ducts and passing it over a water tray. This allows the air to collect moisture before it circulates back through your home. This system can be installed on the supply or return side of your unit. Unlike options lower on this list, this one does not require a separate power source but relies on your furnace’s blower motor to operate.
Pros
- Least expensive of the whole-home humidifiers
- Small enough to fit on basement and closet units
- Quieter than a fan-powered unit
- Can flush away its own mineral build-up
Cons
- May struggle to humidify larger homes
- Can't run when your furnace is off
Power Humidifiers
Power humidifiers—also referred to as fan humidifiers—use an internal fan to pull air across their internal water panels. This allows them to operate independently of a call for heat. They produce humidity more effectively than a bypass unit, typically around a gallon more a day. The sound of the fan, however, can be loud and their internal fan means they can’t fit easily in tight spaces.
Pros
- Can work independently of your furnace
- Puts out more humidity than a bypass humidifier
- Can humidify larger homes
- Can flush away its own mineral build-up
Cons
- They require an additional power connection
- More expensive than a bypass humidifier
Steam Humidifiers
Need to humidify a 3,000-4000 sq. ft. house in Oak Park? Steam humidifiers use electricity to boil water and release it in the form of steam. Your ventilation system then picks up these heated vapors and distributes them throughout your home. Faster and more efficient than the other two types, they’re the best way to keep your larger home at an ideal humidity level.
Pros
- Much higher capacity than other options
- Can tell the blower when to turn on and off
- Can be mounted on a wall instead of directly on the furnace
Cons
- The most expensive of the central humidifiers
- Needs a separate high voltage (220 volt) circuit in the breaker panel
Ways We Help Humidify Your Home in Oak Park
Whole Home Humidifier Repair
Homeowners in Chicago rely on existing humidifiers to keep their home cool and breathing easy. But there are times when it stops working or, at least, doesn’t do as well as it can. Your scratchy throat has returned. The cracking in your floors could be making a resurgence. No matter what the issue is, our central humidifier repair experts are here to fix it. Reach out to us through our website or phone to get an appointment scheduled.
Central Humidifier Installation
Oak Park and the surrounding areas get cold and dry when winter descends. This can make your furnace struggle to reach your desired temperature. Installing a whole house humidifier will give the typical heating system the boost it needs to guarantee all-year comfort. We offer free quotes on humidifier replacement and installation. Call (312) 858-0358 to ask for yours.
Whole House Humidifier Maintenance
Though central humidifiers require less maintenance than portable ones, they’re not completely hassle free. We recommend homeowners in Oak Park schedule an annual maintenance visit with one of our HVAC experts. While there, our technician will clean the system and remove any mineral or mold buildup when they replace the disposable pad. They will also check the humidifier for any signs of damage.
Commercial Humidifier Service
Own a business in Chicago or Oak Park? Well, you can also take advantage of our humidifier services. Our ample experience with commercial HVAC clients gives us a unique perspective on the importance of humidity to optimal comfort. Whether you need a new humidifier installed or a quick repair, our technicians will work with you to minimize disturbances.
Call Safe Heating & Cooling for Whole House Humidifier Service in Oak Park
Ensuring that your home maintains the right moisture levels is a top priority for Safe Heating & Cooling, Inc., just as it is for our customers in Chicago and Chicago. As true HVAC experts, we're familiar with all types and brands of whole house humidifiers. We are deeply committed to enhancing your indoor air quality and supporting your family's health. Contact us at (312) 858-0358 for expert advice and solutions on how installing a whole house humidifier can make your home a happier, more comfortable place.
Whole House Humidifier Questions
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Whole House Humidifier in the Oak Park Area?
You can expect to spend between $400 and $1100 on the unit itself. The cost of installation will vary depending on your home’s set-up and the type of humidifier selected.
What Maintenance Does a Whole House Humidifier Require?
Systems with water panels must have the panel swapped out at least once a year. For more information on when to switch them, refer to the manufacturer’s information that came with the unit.
Can I Install My Own Whole House Humidifier?
We advise against trying to DIY your humidifier installation. Putting one in not only requires you to cut into your ductwork, but also to hook up both a water and electrical line (in most cases). Because getting it wrong can permanently damage your HVAC systems, humidifier installation is something best left to the professionals.