Dry Winter Air in Richmond Hill: Choosing a Whole-Home Humidifier

By January, indoor humidity in many Richmond Hill homes drops into the teens. You feel it as static shocks, dry eyes, a scratchy throat in the morning, and hardwood floors with new gaps. A whole-home humidifier on the furnace is the long-term fix.

The three main types

Bypass humidifiers are the most common. Warm air from the supply duct passes through a wet pad and returns through a small bypass duct. They’re simple and inexpensive, but only add moisture while the furnace is heating, and the bypass damper needs to be closed in summer.

Fan-powered humidifiers have their own fan to push air through the pad. They put out more moisture, don’t need a bypass duct, and suit larger homes.

Steam humidifiers boil water to make steam. They give the most output and work even when the furnace isn’t heating, which makes them a good match for heat pumps and very large homes. They use electricity and cost more to install.

How much humidity is right?

In cold weather, roughly 30 to 40% is a comfortable, safe range. The colder it gets outside, the lower you should go, or you’ll see condensation and eventually mould on windows. Many humidifier controls have an outdoor sensor that adjusts this automatically. Health Canada’s page on humidity and mould is worth a read.

Upkeep

Replace the water panel (pad) once a season, more often with hard water. Check the drain line isn’t plugged and the solenoid valve opens. A humidifier that’s been ignored for years can be worse than none at all.

Portable units

A tabletop humidifier works for one room, but it needs daily cleaning and refilling. Whole-home units connect to a water line and drain, so they mostly take care of themselves.

See our indoor air quality services or contact us at 647-657-2977 to have a humidifier installed or serviced in Richmond Hill.

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