Now how to choose a humidifier?
Read on the following parameters will allow you to decide which humidifier is best for you?
• The best part of whole-house humidifier is that it is connected to forced-air system and these require minimal maintenance. You connect them into the duct work and just forget about them. Maintaining them once or twice a year is sufficient. If you have a very busy schedule, then these are suitable for you. The potable units will need to be cleaned almost every month.
• The whole-house humidifiers take water from your water supply. For the portable units you have to fill the tank whenever they get empty.
• When it comes to choosing between evaporative and steam humidifiers, then the former would cost you only $250. Installation charges would range from $100 to $300. Cost of steam units ranges from $300 to $1,100. Installation would cost another $300 to $500 depending on in-duct hook ups.
• Evaporative humidifiers have less energy cost but they use lots of water. The steam ones use lots of electricity as they heat water. Operational cost of your humidifier depends on amount of use, efficiency of your unit etc. Steam units heat water so they consume more electricity. The evaporative ones require lots of water.
• Steam humidifiers require less maintenance than evaporative humidifiers.
• To humidify 3,000 square feet of space, 12 gallons of water is required per day. Select a humidifier accordingly. Know the dimensions of the space you want to humidify.
• Some furnace brands also have humidifiers. Many furnace manufacturers will offer humidifiers that are compatible to their specific unit. Installing a universal units does not make your warranties void but it is better to read the instructions carefully. Many brands require their units to be installed by a licensed HVAC technician in order to keep the warranty valid.