Air Quality

Air Quality

Humidification Systems For Your Home

The process of adding moisture to the air is one of the most important aspects of total indoor comfort, yet it’s one of the least understood. Maybe this is because people associate humidity with the discomfort of hot, steamy summer days. And it’s true; too much humidity can cause problems.

However, when properly controlled, humidity offers many proven benefits to your health, home, and comfort. Our licensed HVAC technicians here at Argus Air Systems Inc. are trained and qualified to perform installation and repair tasks within CT.

Benefits of a Home Humidification System

a humidifier

A humidifier is a device that increases humidity (moisture) in a single room or an entire building. In the home, point-of-use humidifiers are commonly used to humidify a single room, while whole-house or furnace humidifiers, which connect to a home’s HVAC system, provide humidity to the entire house.

Using an Aprilaire Whole-Home Humidifier is one of the most effective ways to add the proper amount of humidity to your indoor space and prevent the problems caused by dry air.

Here are some more reasons why you should consider having a home humidification system installed:

a woman breathing in fresh air

Reduction of Relative Humidity Causes Dry Air

This problem is especially prevalent during the winter heating season. This is because the relative humidity (RH) of the cold, outdoor air drops significantly when brought into your home and heated.

Dry Air Can Damage Your Family’s Health and Home

Physicians and other experts often recommend humidity control to prevent the damaging effects of dry air caused by low relative humidity.

Low humidity can increase your likelihood of getting colds, the flu, and other upper respiratory ailments. Viruses that cause colds and the flu thrive in low humidity. Additionally, according to The American Society of Otolaryngology, dry air can make people more susceptible to infection. Moreover, drier air can aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms.

Low humidity can also generate home damage. It causes walls, woodwork, and hardwood floors to crack. Electronics can fall victim to static electric charges, requiring expensive repair or replacement.
Higher energy costs can also be a consequence of low humidity levels. Low humidity can make you feel too cold at normal temperatures leading you to turn up the thermostat. This leads to higher energy bills.

a man using a tissue
a window with condensation

Other Issues Low Humidity Can Cause

Excessively low, dry desert climates or indoor humidity may occur in hot, artificially heated spaces. During the winter months, when the cold outside air is heated indoors, the humidity may drop as low as 10-20%, leading to adverse health effects. Low humidity levels can also affect wooden furniture, causing shrinkage and loose joints or cracking of pieces. Books, papers, and artworks may shrink or warp and become brittle.

In addition, static electricity may become a problem in conditions of low humidity, destroying semiconductor devices, causing annoying static cling of textiles, and forcing dust and small particles to stick stubbornly to electrically charged surfaces.

Home Humidifiers

Types of Home Humidifiers We Offer for Installation

Duct-Mounted Humidifiers

These humidifiers ensure that you have a working and clean air filter that is suitable for your existing system. Although you are able to change your filter yourself (and you should!), your HVAC contractor might point out a better filter or filtration system that you should be using.

Whole-House Humidifier

A whole-house humidifier (which can also be thought of as a “central humidifier”) is connected to the home’s hot air ducts and cold air return. It can either work with or independently from the heating/cooling system.

When the humidifier is switched on, water accumulates inside of a collection tray. The air passing through the heating/cooling ducts will then travel through the collection tray, pick up moisture, cycle through the furnace, and then finally return to the duct system where the moisture-laden air is distributed into your home.

Whole-House Dehumidification

For the most part, dehumidifiers are trouble-free, but regular maintenance is required: emptying the tank, periodically cleaning to keep bacteria and mildew in check, vacuuming the dirt from the coils, and replacing the power cord and plug if they get worn.

Contact Us Today to Learn More About Whole-Home Humidification

Our team of experts here at Argus Air provides warranty service, aftermarket sales, and replacement parts to ensure that all the equipment and mechanical systems continue to operate reliably and efficiently throughout their useful life.

Find out how we can help you!