How much does a whole-house humidifier cost?
Steam units, however, are always powered, which is why this group of humidifiers may be referred to as steam humidifiers instead of powered. This is because it takes a certain amount of energy to generate the heat needed to turn the water to steam. Based on the brand, whole-house humidifiers are priced at $150 to $1,500.
Is humidistat good for humidifiers?
Once this is installed, the humidifier can get an actual measure of relative humidity levels to control it in a better way. Humidistat is beneficial when it becomes important to maintain a particular desired humidity level, no matter the outdoor weather and environmental conditions.
What is the ideal humidistat level for your home?
Rather than running your HVAC system constantly in the summer and paying large energy bills, you can use the humidistat to control humidity levels and thereby make the air more comfortable at a much lower cost. The ideal humidity level is between 45 and 60 percent.
How much does it cost to install a humidifier on a furnace?
The cost to install a humidifier on a furnace for a flow-through unit is around $900. This is made up of $300 in labor, $100 for parts and connections to the pipe, and the unit itself costing roughly $500.
How much does it cost to install a whole home humidifier?
When installed by a local humidifier specialist, you should expect to pay between $395 and $734 for installation on average. In certain instances, it could cost as much as $1,000. The average cost of a whole house humidifier is between $100 and $300, although high-end models could exceed $1,000.
How much does it cost to install a humidifier on a furnace?
A whole-house humidifier costs $400 to $1,200 installed, depending on size, type, and the home's HVAC system. A furnace humidifier alone costs $100 to $500 for drum and flow-through units alone or $300 to $1,300 for steam. The labor cost to install a humidifier adds $100 to $900.
How long does a humidistat last?
They keep the relative humidity level at the proper percentage and work to keep indoor environments healthier, ensure that processes run smoothly, and protect against damage to sensitive materials. Depending on the frequency of maintenance and quality of water, a humidifier will have a life expectancy of 10-15 years.
How much does it cost to install a bypass humidifier?
The national average cost to install a central humidifier is between $400 and $1,200. Most homeowners spend around $650 on the professional installation of a flow-through humidifier with a bypass duct for a 2,000 sq. ft.
Do humidifiers increase electric bill?
According to the EPA, humidifiers account for approximately 0.11 percent of all electricity consumed in U.S. households. The type of humidifier you choose will determine how much energy it consumes. For instance, the EPA reports a cool-mist humidifier consumes 136 percent more energy than an ultrasonic model.
Is adding a humidifier to your furnace worth it?
Having a furnace humidifier helps add moisture to the air, which makes your home more comfortable. The moist air can even help your house feel warmer while still burning the same amount of fuel.
Are humidistats still used?
They're also easy to maintain, since they eliminate the need to constantly fill and empty buckets of water. Healthy Climate whole-home humidity control systems feature built-in humidistats, so they're constantly monitoring the moisture levels in your home's air to keep the humidity at a specified point.
How do I know if my humidistat is working?
Turn the humidistat to a very low setting or to “off.” The multimeter should register no voltage. Then, turn the humidistat to a very high setting, such as 80 percent relative humidity, or until you hear a “click” sound. The multimeter should register about 24 volts if the humidistat is functioning correctly.
What is the best humidistat?
Check out these top products that measure humidity for various needs.BEST OVERALL: Govee WiFi Temperature Humidity Indoor Hygrometer.RUNNER UP: ThermoPro TP55 Digital Hygrometer.BEST FOR GREENHOUSES: Govee Hygrometer Thermometer H5075.BEST FOR CIGARS: Cigar Oasis Analog Hygrometer by Western Humidor.More items...•
Is it worth getting a whole-house humidifier?
With or without a humidifier, you might have comfort problems. Nobody installs a whole-house humidifier unless they're having a problem of some kind. Many people absolutely can't stand having dry skin during winter. It can actually be painful, and a humidifier probably will help your skin from getting too dry.
Will a whole-house humidifier cause mold?
If not used properly, here are some issues a whole house humidifier can cause: Excessive moisture can causes mold growth. Moisture can accumulate within your ducts, causing mold to form and then be distributed throughout the air in your home.
Where should a humidifier be installed on a furnace?
As you might guess, furnace humidifiers install right onto your main heating and cooling system, usually in the ductwork right leading out from your furnace. The warm air leaves the furnace, passes through the fan that pushes it through the ducts, and then flows past the humidifier and out into the rest of your home.
Can you add a humidifier to an existing furnace?
Most HVAC technicians can install a humidifier on a furnace within about two hours, given the system doesn't require any special setups. If you are attempting to install a humidifier on the furnace yourself, depending on your electrical knowledge and handyman skills, it can take anywhere from two to five hours.
Is it worth getting a whole house humidifier?
With or without a humidifier, you might have comfort problems. Nobody installs a whole-house humidifier unless they're having a problem of some kind. Many people absolutely can't stand having dry skin during winter. It can actually be painful, and a humidifier probably will help your skin from getting too dry.
How long does it take to install a humidifier on a furnace?
about two hoursInstalling either system involves cutting a hole in the venting using templates provided by the manufacturer. You'll need about two hours to mark the template, cut holes, and install the humidifier. Before you begin, make sure to shut off the furnace.
How do you install a whole house humidifier on a furnace?
4:557:09How to Install a Whole-House Humidifier | Ask This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe've cut in on the cold water feed to the water heater with a separate shut off and a quarter inchMoreWe've cut in on the cold water feed to the water heater with a separate shut off and a quarter inch copper feed to our new humidifier.
Whole-house humidifier cost
A whole-house humidifier costs $400 to $1,200 installed, depending on size, type, and the home's HVAC system. A furnace humidifier alone costs $100 to $500 for drum and flow-through units alone or $300 to $1,300 for steam. The labor cost to install a humidifier adds $100 to $900.
Average humidifier installation cost
The following table shows the average cost for a whole-house humidifier with installation.
Furnace humidifier cost by type
Furnace humidifiers cost $100 to $1,300 for the unit alone or $200 to $2,200 installed, depending on the type and features.
Central HVAC humidifier cost by brand
The following table shows current pricing for the top whole-house humidifier brands. Most brands require professional installation and registration within 60 to 90 days of purchase for the warranty to be valid.
Whole-house humidifier installation cost factors
The following factors affect the cost of installing a whole-house humidifier:
Frequently asked questions
A whole-house humidifier lasts 10 to 15 years or more if properly installed and well-maintained.
What is a humidistat?
This is a gauge that controls how much moisture the unit is putting out, and lets you see at a glance what the current and desired levels are. It functions similarly in its reading, control, and output to a thermostat, but a thermostat controls your heating and cooling system, and not the humidity levels in your home. The humidistat controls only the humidity levels and not your heating and cooling system.
How much does a drum system cost?
Drum systems have an average price of $150 to $250 and can be bypass or fan-powered. They are the easiest to install and frequently the least expensive, which is why they are the most installed models. They use rotating evaporator pads to lift water from their reservoirs into the air stream, where it evaporates. This is effective, but very high maintenance, as it can cause mold growth. You need to clean the drum and change the pads regularly.
How does a central humidifier work?
Central humidifiers work by increasing the relative humidity in your home consistently , making it more comfortable.
Why is it important to keep humidity levels in check?
It’s important to keep humidity levels in check, not only for comfort, also but because having too much humidity in the home can lead to mold growth. For this reason, you will want to have a way to measure the relative humidity in the air to determine when to use the humidifier and when to turn it off.
What is the ideal humidity level for a home?
Ideal Home Humidity. For most homes, the ideal humidity level is going to be around 50%. In the winter months it’s common for humidity levels to naturally drop to 30% or 40%, which can make the air too dry. This is why a central humidifier can be beneficial.
Why do we need a central humidifier?
Centralized humidifiers help you control the air humidity in the whole home, not only one or a few rooms. If you’re having health issues or live in areas where the air humidity fluctuates, it’s a good idea to invest in a central humidifier.
How much does it cost to install a steam furnace?
Steam systems are the priciest to purchase and install, with materials costing between $300 and $1,500. They are the most effective, giving you better humidity control, with lower maintenance and lower mold risks compared to other types. Steam units can operate independently from your furnace as they use their own heat source to turn water into steam, which is then released into the air. Because of this, they will require an electrical power source and a water source, which will increase the utility costs. However, as a trade-off, they don’t have mold issues.
Humidifier repair costs
Humidifier repair costs $70 to $400 or $270 to fix on average, depending on the brand, type, and problem. Dehumidifier repair costs $50 to $200. HVAC repair technicians charge a $70 to $100 troubleshooting fee and $75 to $150 per hour to fix a humidifier or dehumidifier.
Dehumidifier repair costs
Dehumidifier repair costs $50 to $200 on average. Some problems like the unit not turning on, not collecting water, or making loud noises require professional HVAC expertise to diagnose and fix. Replacing the unit is best if it is leaking refrigerant or requires new coils.
Cost to fix a humidifier by repair type
Humidifier repair costs depend on which part requires replacing and whether the repair is handled by a professional or DIY.
How to fix common humidifier problems
The most common humidifier problems stem from a clogged filter, incorrect water level, malfunctioning humidistat, or an electrical issue. Most repairs are simple and more cost-effective than replacing the entire unit.
Humidifier troubleshooting, cleaning, and maintenance
Humidifier malfunctions often occur due to a lack of routine cleaning and maintenance. Perform these routine maintenance tasks to keep the unit functioning properly. Always follow the owner's manual as deviating from the manufacturer's care instructions may void the warranty.
Cost factors to repair a furnace or whole-house humidifier
The following factors affect the cost to repair a whole-house humidifier:
Finding and hiring an HVAC repair service
Before hiring an HVAC technician to repair your humidifier or dehumidifier:
How Does A Humidistat Work?
Humidistat is an electrical device in which two metal conductors serve as a sensing element. Humidity levels are measured by the amount of electrical resistance between these two conductors. A relay amplifier is attached to the sensing element that reads this resistance and turns the humidifier/dehumidifier to add or remove moisture level as needed to control the humidity level inside your home.
How accurate are humidistats?
This means that it will measure and adjust the humidity levels in the surrounding space, but the humidity levels may be very different on the other end of a large room. Even on HVAC systems, humidistats are pretty inaccurate.
Can humidity affect your health?
Dehydration and headaches can happen when the air is so dry that your skin loses moisture or so humid that you sweat copiously. Thankfully, with a humidistat, you can easily check the moisture level of your home or indoor space and make adjustments.
Why do humidifiers cost more?
One of the foremost factors in deciding the cost of a particular humidifier is the coverage it provides. If you have a substantial space you need to humidify , a larger unit is going to be your natural choice, and as the covered area increases , usually, the price goes up as well. That is why most of the smaller humidifiers don’t cost as much as the larger humidifiers. But it isn’t necessarily right all the time. Some factors can bring about discrepancies in this equation.
Why is a small humidifier more expensive than a large humidifier?
That may be because of their larger capacity for imparting humility to the atmosphere. Usually, it means that the water holding capacity, as well as the dispersion capacity of the compact unit per day, is more than the humidifier that may be slightly bigger, but lacks the specifications to tackle the same amount of humidity deficit.
What are the features of a humidifier?
It is due to the added features such as gravity draining, auto shut- off, auto defrost and restart, night mode, remote control, and so on. These features may not be necessary, but they make operating and maintaining the humidifier much more comfortable. These features not only add comfort but also added costs to the overall price of any model. An ideal humidifier is the one that can fit into your requirements and is a mix of comfort and affordability.
How much does a humidifier cost?
These humidifiers can be moved easily and are quite easy to move. Generally speaking, small to medium-sized humidifiers can cost anywhere from $30 to $150 or more depending on the model.
Why do we need a humidifier?
Humidifiers are the best way to safeguard against the effects of low humidity on yourself and your home. But while you’re considering buying a humidifier unit for your needs, you might ask yourself, what’s the best humidifier for you, and how much is it going to cost.
How much does a whole house humidifier cost?
Whole-house units usually work with adjacent the furnace, and can typically cost you anywhere from $300 to $1500 or more.
Why do big names cost more than other brands?
More often than not, it because of the years of trust between the company and the consumers. To maintain a consumer base in today’s market is a challenge and the companies that manage to bring out innovative solutions while maintaining superior quality, usually have products that cost more. Users, however, do not mind paying a little more for that security and trust.
How to Install a Humidistat Properly?
From above its clear that humidistats serve as powerful tools in helping control the humidity of one’s home.
What is the Best Location for a Humidistat?
Those who find their devices do little to control their in-home humidity often choose an incorrect location.
What happens if the resistance is not reached?
If the resistance has not reached the required levels, then the humidifier with humidistat is automatically turned on. And in case electrical resistance has already reached an optimum level then the humidifier is simply turned off.
Why is my humidity not budging?
When this happens, it’s usually the result of one or two issues: either your humidistat or your humidifier is broken. If humidity levels aren’t changing at all , it’s likely a problem with your humidifier.
How to increase humidity in a home?
If your home lacks proper humidity levels, it is highly recommended to install a good room humidifier to increase the level of humidity. Along with a good air humidifier, installing a Humidistat device to monitor and control ...
Why do you need a humidistat?
Along with a good air humidifier, installing a Humidistat device to monitor and control the relative humidity levels , is also very important. If you want to control the moisture levels inside your home in an automated way, installing a humidistat is an ultimate solution. You can install these devices along with your humidifier for controlling ...
What is a humistat?
Humidistat is a small gadget that can be incorporated and fitted along with a humidifier without many efforts.
What Whole House Humidifier Can I Get on My Budget?
Below are some pricing tier guidelines you can use to find the right whole house humidifier for your budget.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Whole House Humidifier Yourself?
Since HVAC professionals charge a flat rate of up to $70 an hour (along with a service fee) and installing a whole house humidifier can take up to five hours to complete, you might save as much as $400 by installing it yourself.
What are the different types of humidifiers?
Types of Humidifiers. Humidifiers come in different sizes, from tabletop humidifiers to whole house humidifiers. Tabletop humidifiers cater to one room. Whole house humidifiers come in different sizes for different houses. A humidifier price will depend on the make and model along with the size of the HVAC system, which varies from house to house.
How much does a whole house humidifier cost?
Whole house humidifier costs start at just $100, but could easily be more if you select a higher-end model that attaches to your furnace, or if you have a large home. This cost guide breaks it all down for you.
Why use a humidifier gauge?
A humidifier gauge is used to measure the level of humidity in the house , keeping the humidity at the set level. Too much humidity is harmful to the home occupant’s health. It triggers the growth in mold spores in the house.
Why do you need a whole house humidifier?
Installing a whole house humidifier in your home is a great investment for your family's health, especially if you or a loved one suffers from any sort of respiratory issues. Moisture in the air helps line the nasal passages with moisture and reduces airborne bacteria and viruses.
How many models of humidifiers are there?
There are three main models of whole house humidifiers you can choose from.
