Indoor Humidifiers

You can combat dry air by getting houseplants, drying clothes on racks and placing bowls of water on radiators or heat registers. Getting a humidifier is also an excellent idea. Read further to learn how humidifiers work and how they can benefit you and your home. 

What Is a Humidifier?

Humidifiers add moisture to the air, alleviating the discomfort of having dry skin, nose and throat. While it's effective at preventing dryness, a humidifier must be used properly to avoid excessive moisture that may lead to pest infestations or structural problems.

You can use different types of humidifiers for your home. A central humidifier is ideal for increasing humidity in the entire home — it's usually built into your heating or cooling system. Portable evaporator humidifiers can only be used in one room at a time, making them less versatile than whole house humidifiers.

Portable steam vaporizers are electric humidifiers that are budget-friendly. However, they're not a good option for homes with children and pets as can they cause burns. If you have children at home, impeller humidifiers are ideal because they create cool mist. The latter is also cost-effective. However, impeller humidifiers can only be used in one room like an evaporator. Contact professionals if you need a humidifier system for your home; our team can help you make an informed decision on choosing the best humidifier for you.

What Does a Humidifier Do?

Dry air can cause a lot of problems to your health and home. It can irritate your nose, eyes, throat and skin. When dry air starts to absorb the moisture from your home, wooden furniture can crack and paper decor may become brittle. Dryness can also cause gaps in your walls or ceilings. Static electricity may build up when the air is too dry. If you feel those electric shocks when touching a doorknob, the culprit is almost always the dry air. 

A humidifier can prevent dry air, since it adds moisture. You need it to control the humidity levels in your home. However, ensure your unit is properly maintained to avoid mold growth, dust mites and other harmful bacteria. 

To avoid problems, clean the humidifier regularly and use it only when you need to. If you have a portable humidifier, clean it at least twice a week to remove any deposit or scale that has formed on the interior surface. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation on how to use and maintain the humidifier to avoid problems. 

What Are the Benefits of a Humidifier?

Using a humidifier can help control the humidity levels in your home. As a result, wooden furniture or flooring may last longer. Proper humidity levels can also prevent cracked walls and static electricity from building up. Most importantly, it may prevent cold and allergy-related symptoms. 

Energy consumption is more efficient with a humidifier designed for whole house use. Portable humidifiers for tend to consume similar amounts of energy, but only humidify one room. 

You can maximize the benefits of your humidifier system by regularly maintaining the device. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation on how to maintain your humidifier or contact a technician. 

Do Humidifiers Help With a Cough?

Inhaling dry air may worsen cough symptoms because it makes coughing mucus harder. A humidifier can alleviate this problem by moisturizing your nasal passages and throat. It may also relieve cough caused by bronchitis, but not from asthma. 

Do Humidifiers Help With Congestion?

When the air is too dry, mucus becomes thicker, making it difficult to remove. Using a humidifier can help loosen the mucus, helping clear your stuffy nose. To help relieve congestion, we recommend using a humidifier that creates a cool mist. 

Do Humidifiers Help With Allergies?

A humidifier can moisten your nasal tissues, allowing you to blow out the allergens and alleviate allergy symptoms. While it can soothe sinus passages, make sure your unit is well-maintained and kept clean. Fine debris particles, dust and mold from the humidifier may also lead to increased allergy symptoms. 

How Do Humidifiers Work?

Evaporative humidifiers use a wick filter and a fan to add moisture to the air. The filter absorbs the water and the fan blows air through it. This type can also be integrated into your heating HVAC system. If you have a steam humidifier, this works by boiling the water and then releasing the steam into the home. 

An impeller humidifier works by using rotating disks running at high speeds, while the ultrasonic humidifier uses ultrasonic frequency when creating a cool mist. Both may be affordable options, but they also carry some risks. The water can become stagnant when their tanks aren't cleaned regularly. Any bacteria from the stagnant water can be transferred to your home, causing more problems. 

Why Choose Us for Your Indoor Humidifier System?

If you have dry lips and skin or when you get static electricity shocks, the air in your home may be too dry. You need to contact us for an indoor humidifier system installation. Which type of humidifier depends on the size of your home. If you have a lot of rooms in your home, we recommend getting a whole house humidifier.

Choate's is a family-owned HVAC company that serves homeowners and businesses in Memphis and surrounding areas. Our 60-plus years of industry experience shows our commitment to providing exceptional HVAC service. Our technicians can install almost all types of indoor humidifier systems, including whole house humidifiers. If you need help choosing which type to install, our team can assist.

Get in Touch With Us 

We'd like to help you improve your indoor air quality so you can go about your life in a healthier, more comfortable environment. Simply give us a call to discuss your air quality needs. We have offices in Collierville and Memphis to serve the wider Tennessee area. 

For more than 65 years, Choate's focus on quality work and attention to detail has established its reputation as a leader in the community. Call us today at 901-250-2508 or schedule an appointment online today!

Dirt, dust, mold, and various other irritants can build up within various components of your HVAC system, reducing the efficiency of your system as well as the quality of the air in your home. Because your heater and air conditioner are constantly recirculating air, you will want to ensure that this air is pure and clean with the solutions below.

Choate’s Air Conditioning and Heating can help you with any of your Indoor Air Quality problems. Choate’s has a vast knowledge of the newest products that are available today and the experience to install them properly. Here are some of the products available.