Whole-House Humidifier Installation & Repair Services

The concentration of some indoor pollutants can be up to two to five times higher than concentrations found outdoors. This is significant because on average, Americans spend about 90% of their time inside. Since we spend a lot of time indoors, it’s important to ensure the indoor air quality in your home is optimal and free of pollutants and irritants. If you’re looking for ways to eliminate dry air in your house, give our team a call by phone at (703) 543-9649. We offer whole-house humidifier installation and repair services to homes in areas of Virginia such as Alexandria, Reston, Centreville, Annandale, and Arlington. We are committed to helping you find the correct humidifier for your household.

What is a Whole-House Humidifier?

A whole-house humidifier is usually attached to your ductwork, close to your furnace. It is also connected to your home’s water supply. Once installed, a central humidifier increases the moisture levels of the air throughout your home. This elevates the humidity in every room which improves the quality and comfort of the air in circulation. Investing in a humidifier installation will help you maintain humidity levels in your home between 30% to 50%. Increasing the total amount of moisture in the air will enhance the comfort of your living space.

A whole-house humidifier includes a water panel or humidifier filter. This holds the moisture and then distributes it to the air that passes through your furnace. Depending on how often you use your humidifier and the hardness or mineral content of your water, you should replace the filter at least once a year.

5 Benefits of Performing a Whole-House Humidifier Installation

The cost of hiring a licensed technician to perform a whole-house humidifier installation will vary depending on the model chosen, labor, and service costs. However, the average cost ranges from $200 to $1000. The benefits of installing a furnace humidifier outweigh the cost. This type of system will pay for itself over several years. Some of the system’s benefits include:

Reduced Allergy Symptoms

Pollutants present in the air, as well as your home, can trigger allergies and allergy-like symptoms. Low humidity can exacerbate this. If you’ve tried antihistamines and nothing seems to be working, it may help to alter the humidity level in your home.

Protection From Illnesses, Colds, & the Flu

Mucous membranes help defend your body against germs, but they can dry out, become irritated, and increase your chance of illness when the air around you is dry. This is why flu season coincides with the winter months when the air is drier. Conducting a whole-house humidifier installation will reduce your chances of catching the flu or a cold. It’s important to maintain the moisture levels in your home during the winter season.

Less Sick Days at Work & School

Every year, there are more than 200,000 hospitalizations in the US due to complications from the flu. You can avoid becoming a part of this statistic by adhering to the optimal humidity levels required, especially during winter. This can help to decrease the chance of you or your family getting the flu which means less time out of work or school due to illness.

Alleviate the Discomfort of Dry Skin

Dry, itchy skin only worsens when the air is cold and dry. Complications can also arise if the dryness leads to excessive scratching of the skin. An excellent way to maintain healthy skin and alleviate the symptoms of dry air is to perform a central humidifier installation.

Feel Warmer in Your House

Humid air helps you to feel warmer. Moisture levels trap heat in the air, which keeps it warmer for even longer. This means that you won’t have to turn up the heat which will help lower your heating bill. In addition, hiring a certified technician to perform a whole-house humidifier installation can help you get additional sleep by increasing the amount of moisture in the air.

Types of Whole-House Humidifiers

There are three types of whole-house humidifiers you can choose for your home:

Steam Humidifier

This type of humidifier connects to your electrical system and water supply. It heats the water and the steam produced spreads throughout your home via your heating ducts.

Drum Humidifier

Our team of certified technicians can perform an installation for a drum humidifier that connects to your water supply and electrical system. This type of humidifier transfers water to a tray with a rotating drum. As the partially submerged drum rotates, it absorbs the water through a sponge which emerges as water vapor through the center of the drum. The moisture spreads through your home as the hot air passes from the furnace through the center of the drum.

Flow-Through or Moisture Pad Humidifiers

Flow-through humidifiers connect to your water supply which moistens an evaporator pad. Air is distributed over the evaporator pad to increase its moisture concentration and is circulated through a network of air ducts to each room in your home. If you choose this system, you will need an additional drainage outlet. This can be a sump pump, floor drain, or utility sink. All 3 types of humidifiers work with the ductwork of your HVAC systems to disperse the moisturized air throughout your home. If you don’t have a central furnace, you also have the option of using a stand-alone humidifier.

5 Signs It’s Time to Install a Whole-House Humidifier System

To help you determine whether or not it’s time to conduct a whole-house humidifier installation, we have compiled a list of tips to help you diagnose the negative consequences of dry air.

1. Symptoms of a Cold

Symptoms of a cold may include dry eyes, a sore or scratchy throat, and a runny nose. It often persists despite using medication or taking vitamins. An easy way to alleviate cold-like symptoms is to hire a contractor to perform a whole-house humidifier installation. The source of your sore throat or dry eyes may be low humidity in the air.

 

If you experience cold-like symptoms or it seems like you constantly have a cold, it may be due to low humidity.

2. Dry Skin & Scalp

Signs of dry scalp may include flaking and itching. Likewise, your skin may be itchy and become scaly. When you suddenly start experiencing skin and scalp dryness, this may be a sign that you need a humidifier.

3. Low Moisture Rating on Your Hygrometer

A hygrometer measures the levels of humidity in the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during winter, you should maintain humidity levels between 25% and 40%. If the humidity ratings in your home are not within the acceptable range, you will need to consider committing to a humidifier installation in your home.

4. Asthma & Respiratory Problems

Dry air can cause a lingering sore throat or cough. This can be a nightmare for people who suffer from respiratory problems or asthma as symptoms are often exacerbated. If you suffer from either of these, you no longer have to wish for warmer weather once you have a humidifier.

5. Your Furnace is Always On

A furnace humidifier installation in your home can reduce the amount of time you use your furnace. Once the air in your home is full of moisture it will trap heat making your home warmer. This will help reduce your heating bill because you’ll use your furnace less.

6. Gaps in Wood Flooring & Cracks in Furniture

Your furniture and floors may also be suffering from the dry air in your home. If you choose to delay a whole-house humidifier installation, the lack of moisture in your air may cause cracks to form in your wooden furniture. In addition, the source of the gaps in your wood floors may be related to dry air. We offer humidifier replacement services in areas of Virginia such as Centreville, Ashburn, Sterling, Arlington, Reston, and Alexandria. To prevent damage to your wood floors and furniture, give our team a call by phone at (703) 543-9649.

Humidifier Replacement & Installation Services in Arlington & Other Areas of Virginia

A whole-house humidifier installation can ensure you and your family have the best indoor air quality in your home. The process of configuring a humidifier is not easy, so you must hire a reputable company to complete the installation. The staff at Snell Heating & Air offer humidifier replacement and installation services to households in areas of Virginia including Leesburg, Alexandria, Sterling, Burke, Centreville, Reston, and Arlington. In addition, our team of certified technicians offers various types of HVAC services such as furnace tune-up, air conditioning replacement, air purification system installation, and furnace repair. Give our staff a call at (703) 543-9649 to speak with a professional on our team today!