How a Humidifier Works

Humidifiers add moisture to the air in your home to reach optimal humidity levels, which in turn can improve the overall air quality inside.

What is a humidifier?

A humidifier adds moisture to the air in your home, with the end goal of optimizing indoor humidity levels. The term “humidity” simply refers to moisture in the air. The term relative humidity is the percentage of moisture in the air compared to what the air can hold at a given temperature. The optimal indoor humidity level is typically between 30% and 50%, according to the EPA, which means it’s best to have air containing between 30% and 50% relative humidity in your home.

two general categories of humidifiers

Whole-house humidifiers are connected to your existing HVAC system and your water line by an HVAC professional. They automatically control the humidity levels within your home. Portable humidifiers are standalone systems with single room coverage that typically require you to manually operate them for humidity control.

What is relative humidity?

Now that you know what humidity is, let’s talk about relative humidity, which takes the concept one step further. The term humidity is actual moisture in the air, whereas relative humidity is the measure of how much moisture the air could potentially hold at a given temperature. This means, if the relative humidity is 50%, the air is only holding moisture at 50% of its capacity. If relative humidity is at 100%, the air is holding all the moisture it can, like during a rainy day in the summer.

How to use a humidifier

Choose a properly sized system for your home. Just like your HVAC systems, a humidifier needs to be properly sized for the space it’s working in. Consider the total cubic footage of your home, the age of your home, the construction (new, old, tight, reinsulated etc.) to determine the right sized system for your home. Optimize your humidistat setting. When looking to invest in a humidifier, learn about the system and the settings available for you to use. Some humidifiers require you to manually control moisture levels while others can automatically do so. To use your humidifier to the best of its ability, select a model that meets your lifestyle needs. Maintain your system. With frequent use, your humidifier will likely start to accumulate mineral build up, dust, rust, or bacteria. The best way to avoid any cleanliness issues with a portable humidifier is to regularly wipe down your system, flush the reservoir, and fill it with fresh water. You can do this with most simple household solutions and a rag, but it’s always a good idea to consult your humidifier’s owner’s manual for exact maintenance instructions. If you have a whole-house humidifier, maintenance is typically performed annually by your HVAC professional. Select your optimal settings. When you invest in a humidifier, learn about the system and the settings available for you to use. Some humidifiers allow you to set up a schedule, while others give the homeowner the ability to control moisture levels. To use your humidifier to the best of its ability, make sure you customize it to your needs.

When to use a humidifier

You get dry skin or chapped lips in your home. You experience static shocks. You’re frequently dealing with sinus issues or nosebleeds in your home. You can’t sleep well throughout the night. Your home’s interior is becoming damaged (chipped paint, cracking wood moldings around doors and windows, sagging or separated wood floors.) You have consistent asthma or allergy flare-ups while inside your home. You have to turn your thermostat up to feel comfortable. Your plants are drying out.

Which type should you use?

The type of humidifier you should purchase depends on your personal preferences and needs. Consider factors such as the amount of space you want to moisturize (size of your home), your budget, the level of maintenance you can tolerate, the furnishings in your home (wood floor warranties can be void if you can’t prove humidity control), and your family’s needs (children, pets, etc.) to determine the best humidifier for you.

Benefits of using a humidifier

Reduced heating costs. Decreased health problems like sinus infections, asthma, and dry skin. Fewer static shocks. Better sleep and reduced snoring through the night. Less structural and interior home problems like chipping paint, cracked molding around windows and doors, and separating wood floors. Proper levels of humidity in all parts of the home. Proper humidity with minimal maintenance. Increased comfort and air quality within your home.

What does a humidifier do?

A humidifier adds moisture to the air in your home, with the end goal of optimizing indoor humidity levels. The term “humidity” simply refers to moisture in the air. The term relative humidity is the percentage of moisture in the air compared to what the air can hold at a given temperature. The optimal indoor humidity level is typically between 30% and 50%, according to the EPA, which means it’s best to have air containing between 30% and 50% relative humidity in your home.

What is a whole house dehumidifier?

A humidifier adds moisture to the air in your home, with the end goal of optimizing indoor humidity levels. The term “humidity” simply refers to moisture in the air. The term relative humidity is the percentage of moisture in the air compared to what the air can hold at a given temperature. The optimal indoor humidity level is typically between 30% and 50%, according to the EPA, which means it’s best to have air containing between 30% and 50% relative humidity in your home.

About Trane7min read

Trane’s Best Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers for Home Comfort

Does your home feel sticky in the summer? Do doors and windows stick? Or do you get zapped with static electricity in the winter? These problems can be due to high or low humidity. Learn how to achieve ideal home humidity with Trane’s best humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

Published:
April 24, 2024

By Anne Fonda

Humidity levels can creep up to an uncomfortable and harmful level in the summer, and they can fall to a shock-inducing level in the winter. So, how do you maintain a comfortable humidity level year-round?

We have some recommendations for you. But first, you need to know a little bit about the best indoor humidity levels.

Recommended Indoor Humidity Levels

What should indoor humidity be? While the best humidity level for your home is a subjective number, the best indoor humidity ranges between 30-50% according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The best humidity level for the home in winter to keep your home warm and cozy is somewhere between 30% and 40%, In summer, between 40-50% should be comfortable.

If humidity levels fall or rise outside the 30-50% range, it can cause problems in your home.

High Humidity Problems

High humidity in your home can cause a multitude of problems, especially if it rises to 60% or higher. Issues can include:

Clammy, sticky feeling
Difficulty sleeping
Asthma and allergy problems
Musty odors
Peeling paint
Interior doors that stick
Condensation on the walls and inside of windows
Mold and mildew
Wood rot
Increase in dust mites

If the high humidity problem is only in a bathroom, you may be able to solve the problem by installing a new, more efficient exhaust fan. But when these high humidity problems affect the whole house, it’s time to find a whole-house solution.

Low Humidity Problems

If the humidity swings the other way, dropping below 30%, that can also cause problems. Issues can include:

Dry eyes
Dry skin
Chapped lips
Dry sinuses
Nosebleeds
Throat irritation
Increased static electricity
Drying, cracking wood

It’s important to note that many of the health symptoms listed can be caused by things other than dry air. If you or a family member feels ill, you should see a doctor. However, be prepared for the doctor to say you should use a humidifier to help alleviate some of these symptoms in the winter.

Dehumidifier vs Humidifier: Achieving Optimal Humidity Levels

In a nutshell, a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air and lowers the humidity. A humidifier adds moisture to the air and raises the humidity. For this article, we will talk about whole-house humidifiers and whole-home dehumidifiers.

Why Choose Trane Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers

Trane is committed to offering homeowners quality HVAC equipment that you can rely on for optimal home comfort. Our whole-house humidifiers and dehumidifiers are no exception.

These humidity control products utilize advanced technology and features to give you full control of the humidity levels in your home. In addition, the range of humidity control equipment is energy efficient and offers cost savings.

Our commitment to quality, reliability, and superior customer service has earned us the title of Most Trusted® HVAC Brand for the 10th year in a row.

Our Best Humidifiers

A whole-house humidifier provides humidity control for every room in your home, enhancing your comfort in the winter. Prepare to say goodbye to static electricity, drying wood, and other problems associated with low humidity.

All 3 types are connected to a water supply to draw in water as needed. When the thermostat sends a call for humidity, water is released into the humidifier. The humidifier operates until the desired humidity level is reached, and then shuts off.

Fan-Powered Humidifier

The fan-powered humidifier has an interior fan to facilitate the evaporation of water that is released to drip down the inside panel when the thermostat sends a call for humidity. Your furnace or air handler then blows the air throughout your home to help you get the right humidity level.

The main features include:

Fan-powered
Suitable for homes up to 4,200 sq. ft.
Up to 18-gallon capacity
Automatic control
Works with all furnace models
Eliminates the need for portable units

Steam Humidifier

Our steam humidifier is a great option to increase humidity levels and comfort in large homes or arid climates. The canister is filled with water and when humidity levels need a boost, the heating element inside heats the water to create steam, which is then distributed through your ductwork.

The main features include:

Steam release
Suitable for all home sizes, up to 5,000 sq. ft.
6 different capacities in one unit (11.5- 34.6 gallons)
Operates independently of the heating system to provide optimal humidity at all times
Works with existing ductwork or can be remotely mounted

Bypass Humidifiers

Our bypass humidifiers/bypass filters use the airflow from your furnace and a connected water supply to send evaporated water/moisture into your ductwork to circulate the air and increase the humidity level in your home.

The main features of Trane’s bypass units include:

Suitable for homes up to 4,000 sq. ft.
Up to 17 gallon capacity
Automatic control
Work with all furnace models

Our Best Dehumidifiers

Our whole-house dehumidifier comes in 3 sizes and capacities for homes 1,800-3,000 sq. ft. in size. Some of the features that make these the best dehumidifiers for a basement or your whole home include:

Dedicated moisture control
Fresh air ventilation options
MERV 13 filtration
High dehumidification performance at low energy cost
Industry-leading warranty
May be installed as a standalone unit or ducted into the HVAC system
Compact design fits in closets, crawl spaces, basements, or attics

These dehumidifiers pair well with single-stage air conditioning units or high-performance homes with foam insulation. The humidifier draws moisture out of the air until the desired humidity level is reached, and then shuts off.

A note about a perennially humid basement - if you have evidence of water infiltration, you may want to consider a basement waterproofing consultation to get to the root cause of high humidity.

Benefits of a Humidifier-Dehumidifier Combo

Another option to help improve indoor air quality and achieve ideal indoor humidity levels is an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). This ventilator brings fresh air into your home year-round and can help provide humidity control whether your HVAC system is running or not.

It recovers heat and moisture from the outgoing air during cold weather to help humidify dry air. During hot, humid weather, it pre-cools and dehumidifies incoming air. This not only increases your comfort level, but it can help your HVAC system run more efficiently.

Tips for Proper Maintenance and Care

For whole-house dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and ventilators, maintenance involves changing or cleaning the filter or humidifier pad regularly. Depending on where the system is located, you can do the maintenance, or have an HVAC technician do it for you.

Any of these components is part of your HVAC system and you should schedule regular maintenance checks. An AC tuneup in the spring can include checking the dehumidifier, and a fall furnace tune-up visit can include checking the humidifier.

No Buckets or Basins to Empty

One of the best parts about a whole-house dehumidifier from a maintenance perspective is that there is no need to empty the bucket or water reservoir. If the dehumidifier is connected to your HVAC system, it can utilize drainage pipes installed by your HVAC company. If you use it as a standalone unit, it simply needs an adequate drainage line.

Visit our indoor air quality maintenance tips for information specific to individual Trane products. By keeping up with maintenance, you can keep your entire HVAC system operating at peak performance.

Choosing the Right Humidifier and Dehumidifier for Your Needs

The best way to choose the right whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier is to work with an experienced HVAC professional. It will be important to determine the size and capacity of the unit to achieve optimal humidity levels. A professional can also help you better understand the different types of humidifiers and dehumidifiers as well as their features and functionality.

Contact Your Local Trane Comfort Specialist

Are you tired of sticky or dry indoor humidity levels? Consider a whole-house dehumidifier or whole-house humidifier to help you achieve home humidity levels that leave everyone feeling comfortable. Whatever you need, your local Trane Comfort Specialist can help. Work with a trusted HVAC professional for all of your home comfort needs.

When you choose Trane for your HVAC and humidity control needs, you get energy-efficient, quality equipment backed by some of the best warranties in the industry.

Anne Fonda, Content Writer

A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

Expert review by Jennie Bergman, Senior Product Manager, Indoor Air Quality