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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Shoud You Consider a Whole House Humidifier?

If you use a humidifier regularly but you are tired of continually filling the tank on your portable humidifier, or if you are tired of replacing them after a couple of years of use it may be time to consider a whole house humidifier.  A whole house humidifier typically runs with your HVAC and plumbing systems to help keep your air at an optimum humidity level.  There are a few different types available.

Drum Whole House Humidifiers

Drum humidifiers are often one of the less expensive types of whole house humidifiers.  They get their name because they have a frame that is drum-shaped.  This frame is connected to a belt that rotates the humidifier pad through the reservior of water  at the bottm of the drum.  The heating system then collects and sends the moisture throughout the house via the vents.

With this type of system it is important to clean the reservior regularly to prevent mold from growing.  You will also need to check and replace the humidifier pads periodically.  But overall this system is fairly inexpensive to maintain.

Bypass Whole House Humidifiers


Bypass humidifiers use an aluminum pad, sometimes called a biscuit.  Water is sprayed onto this pad when the hygrostat determines it is time for more humidity, the warm air passes through the pad and carries the moisture into the home.

This type of home humidifier requires less maintenance and offers less of a chance for mold growth, but it is more expensive to purchase.

Spray Mist Whole House Humidifiers

Spray, or spray mist, humidifiers use an electronic mister to mist water directly into the air duct while the heating system is turned on.

Because there is no reservoir there isn't much of a mold concern with this style of humidifier and it shouldn't require too much maintenance.  The spray nozzle can get clogged over time so it will need to be cleaned periodically, how often will depend on your the mineral content in your water.

Console Whole House Humidifiers

Console humidifiers are one other option.  These systems are not connected to your HVAC and plumbing like the other options listed.  They are somewhat like a glorified portable humidifier as they need to be filled with water and they typically use a humidifier filter that will periodically need to be replaced.  But they cover a larger square footage than a portable version and most models have a humidistat so you can monitor the level of humidity in your home.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/shoud-you-consider-a-whole-house-humidifier-3187903.html#ixzz1cASKd17Y
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Learning How Whole House Humidifiers Work?

How do whole house humidifiers work? Those who experience severe allergies, asthma, itchy skin, sore throats and dry nose likely would benefit from the answer to this question. Many people suffer from these symptoms on a daily basis and are in search of relief. While purchasing humidifiers for specific rooms in the home is an option, a whole house humidifier is a better choice since it is designed to ensure that the entire home has the right amount of moisture at all times.

There are many reasons why additional moisture throughout the home is important. Medical experts have determined that viruses thrive in environments where humidity is low. Minimal moisture increases the likelihood of catching a cold, flu or other respiratory infection. A dry environment also increases the likelihood of cracked walls and other signs of premature aging of your home's structure over a period of time.

So how do whole house humidifiers work? A whole house humidifier is installed into the heating and cooling system of your home. It works by distributing humidity in the form of water vapor to the air that is already being distributed through these systems, allowing the moisture to be distributed evenly throughout the entire home.

The moisture in the home must be balanced properly with whole house humidifiers. Too much moisture can cause mold and mildew, while too little moisture will defeat the purpose of having the humidifier. The moisture levels of a whole house humidifier can be set according to the homeowner's preference. A good sign that the humidity is set too high is window condensation and condensation on ceilings and walls. When humidity is too low, symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and itchy skin may occur.

There are different types of whole house humidifiers available. Drum shaped humidifiers are submerged into water where the drum picks up the moisture and distributes it along with the air. Wick humidifiers contain a moist filter, which are mounted into air ducts of the heating and cooling system. Spray whole house humidifiers are installed into air ducts as well. They periodically mist air into the ducts for distribution throughout the home. Steam whole house humidifiers work along with a furnace blower and thermostat. When the humidity in the home goes below a certain level, steam will be dispensed accordingly.

It is important to carefully choose the best whole house humidifier for your home, one that fits your budget and needs. Properly maintaining the humidifier is important, and manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning and maintaining the humidifier should be followed. Common maintenance includes changing filters, checking for leaks, and cleaning humidifier components. Keeping the humidifier well maintained is important for those who want to know how do whole house humidifiers work. It is also the most important part of owning a whole house humidifying system.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/learning-how-whole-house-humidifiers-work-3140789.html#ixzz1cA6RLKHn
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution No Derivatives