As a company that services heaters in homes all throughout South Jersey, we know how important it is for our customers to be kept both warm and comfortable. While having a fully-functioning heating system is surely one piece of the puzzle, a humidifier can also make the winter season (as well as being cooped up in your home) a much more comfortable experience.
Winter is the ideal time to purchase a humidifier because it can help restore lost humidity, put moisture into the air, and, as we said above, make your home more comfortable! But, keep in mind that not all humidifiers are the same.
There are essentially two types of humidifiers–a whole-house humidifier and a portable (single room) humidifier–and each has their individual advantages and disadvantages.
Whole-House Humidifier
A whole house humidifier attaches to your air driven furnace and brings humid air to the entire house. Choosing this type requires plumbing and electrical connections, as well as modifications to your furnace by a professional. The biggest benefit of going the whole-house route is that it will take water from your plumbing system to work (as needed), and you will never have to worry about whether or not it is going to run dry. This type is practically soundless and, believe it or not; most whole-house systems are not as expensive as a high-quality portable humidifier.
Drawbacks of purchasing a whole-house humidifier include the fact that it should be installed by a professional, and needs to be thoroughly cleaned at the end of every heating season.
Portable Humidifier
Portable humidifiers can easily be purchased at local retailers, and even have enough strength to humidify two rooms. They always have their own water supplies, are plugged into an electrical outlet to work, and are turned on in a room as needed. Perhaps the biggest benefit of choosing a portable humidifier is that you can move it to wherever you need it. Not to mention they are simple to operate.
Some of the cons associated with choosing portable humidifiers are that they can be noisy, require attention (sometimes daily), and constantly need to be cleaned to prevent bacteria and germs from spreading into the air.
If a room, or your entire home is not properly humidified during the winter/heating season, your health could be adversely affected.
Constantly being subjected to a hot and dry environment can cause nosebleeds, respiratory irritation, dry nasal passages, itchy and dry skin, as well as exacerbate medical conditions like asthma and allergies.
In the end, while whole-house and portable humidifiers certainly have their pros and cons, it is better to have a humidifier rather than no humidifier. To help determine which type will be ideal for your home in South Jersey, please reach out to us at any time.