Getting a whole-house humidifier can help improve wintertime ailments in Greater Richmond like scratchy skin, a dry nose and peeling lips. Since it works with your heating system, you don’t have to drag a portable humidifier from room to room, sloshing water as you go.

Because this system links to your HVAC system, ductwork and plumbing, you’ll want to book professional whole-house humidifier installation from an HVAC company like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Whole-house humidifier cost varies due to the type of humidifier you want and how long we need to install it.

To help you find the best whole-house humidifier for your house, let’s review the different models and their estimated costs.

Drum Whole-House Humidifier

Drum humidifiers are the most popular model because they’re the most economical. They typically are priced between $150–$250 plus installation, according to national averages from HomeAdvisor. They add humidity to your residence by using a padded rotated wheel, which moves up and dissolves water.

You can select from bypass, which works when your heating system is heating, or fan-powered, which works on its own. However, the smaller price tag also is accompanied by an increased need for upkeep to prevent mold.

A drum humidifier has an evaporative pad to move moisture around your home. Depending on how often you turn on the humidifier, you’ll need to change this pad at least annually.

Flow-Through Whole-House Humidifier

As the name says, flow-through humidifiers send water through an evaporator pad to make humidity. They cost $200–$300, plus installation, according to national averages put together by HomeAdvisor.

They consume more water when compared to a drum model, but the chance of mold is lower as the liquid drains once the humidification cycle is complete. You can choose between bypass and fan models, but you’ll still have to replace the pad at least annually.

Steam Whole-House Humidifier

A steam humidifier is regarded as the greatest efficiency and calls for the least amount of extra work, because it doesn’t require standing water or an evaporative pad. Depending on the extras you need, they can be priced at from $300 to more than $1,000, plus installation, according to national averages put together by HomeAdvisor.

As they can run without your furnace being on, they may need a bit more electricity than drum and flow-through kinds. However, the trade-off is that they usually don’t have mold growth.

Make Wintertime More Enjoyable with a Whole-House Humidifier from Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

Although a whole-house humidifier is pricier than a portable model, it provides many pluses a single-room model can’t. A couple of those advantages include:

  • Keeping wood flooring, cabinets and furniture from cracking
  • Developing a healthier environment for family members with respiratory ailments, like asthma
  • Decreasing usual cold-weather complaints, such as scratchy skin or chapped lips
  • Lowering static electricity

Ready to enjoy a more comfortable heating season while at your residence? Our Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling professionals can help you choose the best whole-house humidifier for your budget. Give us a call at 804-302-6657 today to get started.