A whole-home humidifier plays a crucial role in maintaining your home’s comfort, particularly during dry winter months. By adding moisture to the air, it not only keeps your home feeling comfortable but also helps protect your health by improving your indoor air quality. Dry air can irritate mucous membranes, increasing the risk of illness and aggravating respiratory issues. While humidifiers are generally durable, they don’t last indefinitely. It’s important to recognize the signs that indicate it may be time to replace your unit because it is no longer meeting the needs of your household.

Significant Decrease in Moisture Output

If your whole-home humidifier is struggling to maintain your desired humidity level, it could be due to a few common, easily fixable issues. For instance, a clogged water filter or a blocked water supply line can restrict water flow to the unit, causing it to underperform. Another possibility is a malfunctioning solenoid valve, which controls the flow of water to the unit. A professional can easily solve these issues by replacing faulty components or clearing blocked lines.

However, major issues like extensive corrosion or multiple faulty parts may necessitate an upgrade. If the repair is going to cost more than half of what a new humidifier would, it most likely makes more financial sense to replace it.

Fan Won’t Run

Unlike bypass humidifiers, which operate passively, fan-powered humidifiers, such as steam humidifiers, should produce a noticeable sound when functioning properly. If you find that your home is unusually dry and can’t hear the fan running, it typically indicates a problem.

The issue may be as simple as replacing the fan belt. Over time, the belt can wear out or break, causing the fan to stop working. It could also be an electrical problem preventing the fan from turning on. If the problem is not one of these two issues, the culprit is probably a more expensive fix, like replacing the fan motor. Replacing the motor could cost several hundred dollars, depending on the model and type of humidifier.

Given the cost of replacing expensive parts, investing in a new unit may be more economical, especially if your humidifier is old or has already required multiple repairs. Evaluating both the repair cost and the potential lifespan of your current humidifier will help you determine whether to repair an expensive component or upgrade to a newer model.

Humidifier Is Excessively Loud or Makes Strange Noises

While a faint humming sound is typical when your humidifier is running, manufacturers design them to operate quietly. If you notice your humidifier becoming unusually loud or making strange noises, especially when turning on or off, it’s time to have a technician inspect it. Persistent grinding, buzzing, or rattling sounds can signal that your humidifier is nearing the end of its lifespan and may need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

Large Increase in Electricity Bills

Your electricity bills should generally remain consistent during the winter unless you’re heating your home with a heat pump or another form of electric heating. If you notice a significant spike in your electricity use, it may indicate that your humidifier is no longer operating efficiently and is running much more than necessary. While most whole-home humidifiers, except bypass units, consume a fair amount of power, a properly functioning unit should not cause a major increase in your electricity bill. Typically, the humidifier only runs during heating cycles when the furnace is on, and it may not even operate for the full duration of each cycle.

If the problem is not easily fixable, it may be time to replace the humidifier rather than continue paying for inefficient operation. Plus, newer models are designed to be more energy-efficient than older ones, which can help offset the cost of installation by reducing ongoing energy costs.

Humidifier Is Clogged With Mineral Deposits

A whole-home humidifier should always be cleaned and descaled to remove limescale and mineral deposits as part of its annual maintenance service. That’s because mineral deposits can greatly interfere with the unit’s performance and lead to it putting out much less moisture than it should. At some point, the mineral deposits can build up to the point where they become impossible to remove and result in the humidifier putting out little to no moisture. When this happens, the only real option you have is to install a replacement unit.

Your Humidifier is Old

While some whole-home humidifiers, especially bypass units, can last up to 15 years, most models start to lose their effectiveness after 8 to 10 years of use due to wear and tear. As your humidifier ages, it becomes more prone to failure and may begin consuming more electricity. Most HVAC experts recommend replacing your humidifier every 10 years to ensure optimal performance and avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Replacement Humidifier

When selecting a new humidifier, several considerations should guide your decision-making process. These include the type of humidifier, the appropriate size for your home, and its energy efficiency.

Type of Humidifier

The first thing you’ll need to decide when looking for a replacement humidifier is what type of unit you want to install. Bypass units are the least expensive and cost nothing to run. However, they don’t put out nearly as much moisture as fan-powered and steam units and are usually only effective enough for smaller houses. Steam humidifiers put out the most moisture and are thus the most effective for maintaining your desired humidity level. The drawback is that they cost more to install and are far more costly to run due to how much electricity they consume. Fan-powered humidifiers are the most common choice because they provide effective humidity control while being affordable to install and operate.

Humidifier Size

You should have an HVAC technician evaluate your house to determine which size of humidifier will work most effectively. Using this approach, you don’t risk paying for a unit that won’t meet your humidification needs or pay extra for a unit that’s larger than what you really need. The local climate and size of your home are two of the biggest factors when sizing a humidifier. However, your home’s insulation also makes a huge difference. That’s because if your home isn’t well sealed, lots of dry air will continually get inside, and moist air will escape. This is why older homes that are poorly sealed need a much larger humidifier that will need to run more frequently.

Energy Efficiency

When selecting a replacement humidifier, consider choosing one that is energy-efficient. Humidifiers with energy-saving features, such as automatic humidity control or advanced fan designs, use less electricity while maintaining healthy humidity levels. Look for units that are Energy Star certified, as these tend to use less power and are more environmentally friendly.

Contact Your Local Pros

At Healthy Home Heating & Cooling LLC, we have been serving the residents of De Pere, WI and the surrounding areas since 2005. We install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems. We can also help with all your indoor air quality needs, including installing whole-house fans and replacing your outdated whole-home humidifier with a more energy-efficient model. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians.

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