Utah’s dry winter air can be the root of many problems, but luckily it can be easily avoided with a whole-home humidifier. Installing a whole-house humidifier allows you to breathe in warm, moist air, which can prevent many problems, including:

• Dry nose
• Cracked, itchy skin
• Sore throat
• Aggravated allergy and asthma symptoms
• Painful static shocks
• Chipping paint and plaster
• Splitting or cracked wood floors, furniture, trim, and molding

The experts at Mountain Home Services can install a steam humidifier directly into your central HVAC system’s air handler. This type of humidifier uses boiling water to distribute humidity in the form of steam throughout the entire home.

Water is then supplied to the distribution tray, allowing it to flow evenly across the water panel. The humidified air enters your home’s ductwork, which will regulate the humidity levels in each room. This is more effective than a portable mist humidifier, which will only treat one room at a time.

Installing a steam humidifier for the whole house can be rewarding in many ways, including:

• Improved health: Many viruses thrive in low-humidity environments, increasing your chances of catching the flu, colds, and other ailments.
• Improved comfort: Overly dry air can cause asthma- and allergy-related symptoms.
• Energy efficiency: Installing a whole-house humidifier can make you feel warmer without having to raise your thermostat. According to the EPA, you can save up to 4% on your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat.

Humidifiers also help improve indoor air quality because they prevent minerals from entering the air and, therefore, your lungs.

In Utah, poor indoor air quality can cause and contribute to infections, headaches, and mild irritations such as dry eyes and nasal congestion.

Humidifiers can make your home feel considerably more comfortable, and they’re surprisingly simple to maintain.

Not much can go wrong with your humidifier, so repairs are typically simple and inexpensive. Most repairs are needed because someone forgets to change an air filter or there’s a problem with the electrical components.

With an HVAC system in your home, it’s recommended to regularly maintain your humidifier. Clean it at least once a year, and always have a clean air filter in place. It’s also useful to periodically check for leaks.