The Hidden Costs of Dry Air in Your Home

You may not realize the full extent of the problems caused by low indoor humidity. The air in your Charlottesville home can become uncomfortably dry, leading to a variety of noticeable and underlying issues that affect your health, comfort, and property.

Impact on Your Health and Comfort:

1. Respiratory Discomfort: Dry air irritates the sensitive mucous membranes in your nasal passages, throat, and lungs. This can lead to a scratchy throat, dry cough, bloody noses, and increased susceptibility to colds, the flu, and other respiratory infections.
2. Aggravated Allergies and Asthma: For individuals with allergies or asthma, dry air can worsen symptoms by drying out airways and making them more sensitive to triggers like dust, dander, and pollen.
3. Skin and Eye Irritation: Low humidity leaches moisture from your skin, causing it to become dry, itchy, and flaky. It can also lead to chapped lips and dry, irritated eyes.
4. Constant Static Electricity: Annoying and sometimes painful shocks when you touch a doorknob, light switch, or even a family member are a classic sign of excessively dry indoor air.

Damage to Your Home and Valuables:

1. Wood Damage: Your home’s beautiful hardwood floors, wooden furniture, cabinetry, and musical instruments are all vulnerable. Dry air pulls moisture from the wood, causing it to shrink, warp, crack, and separate at the seams.
2. Structural Issues: Plaster and drywall can crack, and wallpaper can begin to peel away from the walls as they lose moisture.
3. Decreased Energy Efficiency: Dry air feels colder than properly humidified air. This often causes homeowners to turn up the thermostat, leading to higher energy bills without achieving true comfort.

Choosing the Right Whole-Home Humidifier for Your Needs

Not all whole-home humidifiers are created equal. The best system for your home depends on its size, your existing HVAC setup, and your specific goals. Our experts can help you navigate the options to find the perfect fit.

1. Bypass Humidifiers: These are the most common and cost-effective type. They use the airflow from your furnace’s blower motor to push air through a moistened water panel, adding humidity to the air that circulates through your home. They are highly reliable and energy-efficient but require a bypass duct to be installed.
2. Fan-Powered Humidifiers: Similar to bypass models, fan-powered units use a water panel but include their own internal fan to blow air across it. This allows them to produce more humidity than bypass units and makes them ideal for larger homes or installations in tight spaces where a bypass duct won't fit.
3. Steam Humidifiers: For the most precise and powerful humidity control, steam humidifiers are the top choice. They work by heating water to create steam, which is then injected directly into your ductwork. This process is independent of your furnace's operation and can deliver optimal humidity levels quickly and efficiently, making them perfect for large homes or for homeowners with valuable wood furniture, instruments, or art collections.

Comprehensive Humidifier Installation, Repair, and Maintenance

We provide a full suite of services to ensure your home’s humidity is perfectly managed year-round.

Professional Humidifier Installation

Proper installation is critical for the performance and safety of your whole-home humidifier. Our certified technicians handle every aspect of the process with precision. We assess your home’s specific needs, recommend the ideal unit, and seamlessly integrate it with your existing HVAC system. We ensure all connections are secure, the system is calibrated for optimal output, and that you understand how to operate your new humidifier for maximum benefit.

Reliable Humidifier Repair

If your existing whole-home humidifier isn't working correctly—whether it’s failing to produce humidity, leaking, or making unusual noises—our expert technicians can help. We have the experience to quickly diagnose and repair all makes and models. From replacing a worn-out water panel or solenoid valve to addressing electrical issues, we will restore your system’s function and your home’s comfort promptly.

Essential Humidifier Maintenance

Like any component of your HVAC system, your humidifier requires regular maintenance to operate efficiently and prevent potential problems. Annual service is key to preventing the buildup of mold, mildew, and mineral deposits. Our maintenance service includes a thorough cleaning of the unit, replacement of the water panel or filter, inspection of all electrical and water connections, and a full system function test to ensure it provides clean, healthy humidity all season long. Learn more about our maintenance programs to keep your system running its best.