How Much Does a Whole-House Humidifier Cost?

December 23, 2020

Adding a whole-house humidifier can help decrease winter ailments in Sandpoint including flaky skin, a dry nose and flaking lips. Since it runs with your heating system, so you don’t need to drag a portable humidifier across your home, sloshing water as you go.

As this system connects to your HVAC system, ductwork and plumbing, you’ll want to schedule pro whole-house humidifier installation from an HVAC company like Age Heating & Cooling. Whole-house humidifier cost is linked to the kind of humidifier you choose and how long we need to install it.

To help you choose the best whole-house humidifier for your needs, let’s go over the different types and their estimated price.

Drum Whole-House Humidifier

Drum humidifiers are the most popular kind because they’re the most affordable. They usually cost between $150–$250 plus installation, according to national averages from HomeAdvisor. They add humidity to your residence by using a padded moving wheel, which lifts and dissolves water.

You can choose from bypass, which operates when your heating system is on, or fan-powered, which runs on its own. However, the smaller price tag also is accompanied by a greater need for service to stop mold.

A drum humidifier has an evaporative pad to distribute moisture across your residence. Depending on how frequently you use the humidifier, you’ll want to change this pad at least annually.

Flow-Through Whole-House Humidifier

As the name implies, flow-through humidifiers flow water through an evaporator pad to make humidity. They run between $200–$300, plus installation, according to national averages from HomeAdvisor.

They consume more water when compared to a drum model, but the chance of mold is decreased since the moisture drains once the humidification cycle is done. You can select between bypass and fan models, but you’ll still be required to install a new pad at least once a year.

Steam Whole-House Humidifier

A steam humidifier is known as the greatest efficiency and requires the smallest amount of extra work, because it doesn’t have to have a pool of water or an evaporative pad. Depending on the options you are looking for, they can be priced at from $300 to more than $1,000, plus installation, according to national averages compiled by HomeAdvisor.

Since they can run without your furnace being on, they may need somewhat more electricity than drum and flow-through models. However, the trade-off is that they usually don’t have mold issues.

Make Winter More Enjoyable with a Whole-House Humidifier from Age Heating & Cooling

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

  • Keeping wood flooring, cabinets and furniture from cracking
  • Developing an improved climate for family members with respiratory conditions, including asthma
  • Decreasing common wintertime complaints, such as rough skin or flaking lips
  • Lowering static electricity

Looking to enjoy a more pleasant heating season while at your home? Our Age Heating & Cooling specialists can help you choose the best whole-house humidifier for your needs. Reach us at 208-578-4258 now to begin the process.