Humidifiers in Noblesville, IN

Most likely because the information is coming from manufacturers or companies driven to give only the high points to sell the product or medical opinions on the pros and cons of humidifier use. Make no mistake, we do recommend humidifiers where and when needed, but we want to help others to understand what a humidifier really can do and what it will not do.

• The United States EPA recommended humidistat settings is 30% to a maximum of 50% to maintain good health. Attempting or achieving higher than 50% humidity in a home during the winter will most likely increase the risk of illness that homeowners otherwise should not have contracted. We recommend a setting of 30 percent or until there is no longer the static shock effect within the home. Due to numerous factors, see notes below, we understand that the actual humidity level in a home can swing day-to-day from 20% to 35% with a humidistat setting of 30 percent. For less anxiety, one should not expect 100% consistency in humidity levels reported by the humidistat, unless one lives in a sealed laboratory
• When humidifying a home, the goal should be to “lightly tamp” the air with humidity and not to saturate it.
• Humidifiers will not stop someone from getting colds, sinus infections, bloody noses, sore throats or other illnesses. It will help limit the frequency of such issues or lower the irritation of such. Unless you never leave the house, you are more exposed to illnesses and lower humidity levels outside the home, in the vehicle, at work or inside local stores, etc. However, humidification at home for some can be soothing when such illnesses are contracted.
• Humidity in the home will help lower the expansion and contraction of the material that the home is built from. The best example is wood floors. Without humidification, very large gaps will form; with humidification, the gaps will be “reduced.”
• A good sign that humidity is at a good level in the home: There is no static shock after touching various objects in the home. This is the most consistent action that is least affected
• by variables located outside the home or one’s physiology.
• Humidifiers are moving water in and draining water out in large quantities. During the winter operation, one should frequently inspect and if not, at least weekly, inspect for water damage issues.
• Bypass humidifiers are more recommended than powered humidifiers for health reasons. However, powered humidifiers will produce more effective humidity and may be the only choice. We recommend remembering, you just need to “lightly tamp” the humidity into the home.
• Operating a whole-house humidifier requires yearly changing of the humidifier pad to allow the humidification process to be utilized efficiently. More frequent humidifier pad changes are necessary depending on water quality and if a home is in excessive need of humidification (see notes below for access need).
• Humidity levels while utilizing a humidifier can swing greatly in a home based on the following conditions:
• Heated, warm air is needed inside the home to carry the moisture. The more the heating system operates the more stable the humidity levels will be towards the current setting of the humidistat.
• The thermostat temperature that is most commonly used for heating during the winter days is 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If the thermostat setting is lower than this, the consistency of the humidity levels will be lower than what is set on the humidistat; due to less heating system operation.
• The outdoor temperature regardless of the indoor temperature setting will dictate ultimately how much the heater installation in Noblesville, IN will operate to enable good humidification for a given day.
• During a 30-degree or lower outside temperature day with a thermostat setting of 72 degrees, your humidistat will most likely maintain 30% humidity.
• During a 50-degree outside temperature day the heating system will not operate as often, therefore most likely drop your humidity level temporarily at times below 30 percent.
• Large day-to-day variations in the outdoor temperature will also create humidity inconsistencies.
• The home itself will dictate how much humidity it is willing to hold.
•  Bad windows, bad doors, and poor insulation or lower quality building construction design/materials will lower the humidity replenish rate. These homes typically need very low consistent outside temperatures to maintain good humidity levels.
• Heating systems with humidifiers that are located in garages or other locations that are unconditioned will be more susceptible to lower humidity levels in the home because the systems are drawing outside air into the home.
• Air duct systems in each home tend to be different. Therefore, often air distribution is either too strong or too weak to deliver air to the whole home by the contractors that built the house. Improper air distribution from existing ductwork can cause one part of the home to humidify correctly and another part not. Also, homes with zone control can create this same issue artificially. Humidifiers are perfectly fine for zone-controlled homes or homes with imbalanced air distribution networks. Remember, any humidity in the home is far better than none.
• If exterior doors are opened and closed too frequently in a given time, the conditioned air will be exchanged with dry outside air that will temporarily lower the humidity level.
• Homes with pet-friendly doors for the pets to either exit the home or enter the home from outdoors will cause a consistent drop in humidification depending on the size of the door.
• An improperly installed or maintained heating system will lower humidity consistency.
• A home that is largely void of carpeting will tend to maintain lower humidity levels.
• Homes with a wood burning fireplace will tend to maintain lower humidity levels.
• Leaving bathroom discharge fans on continuously will lower humidity levels.
• The type of heating system that your home has will determine how much humidity your home will effectively produce and maintain.
• A gas furnace will produce the best results for humidification.
• A heat pump system will produce the least effective results. It will still properly humidify and those with heat pumps typically notice a significant difference because even just a little humidity is a plus.

Hopefully, we have covered just about everything that should be known about humidifiers, but if we have not, please contact us with any questions you may have. We will gladly help anytime. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Have questions?  Submit a request through our online request form or give us a call and our specialist will help guide you through the different Humidifier & HVAC companies.