How Much Does a Whole-House Humidifier Cost?

December 23, 2020

Getting a whole-house humidifier can help improve wintertime issues in Bishop such as flaky skin, a dry nose and flaking lips. Because it runs with your heating system, there’s no need to drag a portable humidifier from room to room, splashing water as you go.

As this system works with your HVAC system, ductwork and plumbing, you’ll want to request professional whole-house humidifier installation from an HVAC company like Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning. Whole-house humidifier cost varies due to the model of humidifier you select and how long we require to install it.

To help you select the best whole-house humidifier for your needs, let’s go over the different models and their estimated costs.

Drum Whole-House Humidifier

Drum humidifiers are the most popular model as they’re the most economical. They typically run between $150–$250 plus installation, according to national averages put together by HomeAdvisor. They add humidity to your house with a padded spinning wheel, which moves up and dissolves water.

You can choose from bypass, which works when your heating system does, or fan-powered, which runs on its own. However, the decreased price tag also comes with an increased need for service to stop mold.

A drum humidifier relies on an evaporative pad to send moisture around your house. Depending on how regularly you turn on the humidifier, you’ll have to put in a new pad at least every year.

Flow-Through Whole-House Humidifier

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

They need more water when compared to a drum style, but the likelihood of mold is decreased since the moisture flows away once the humidification cycle is complete. You can choose between bypass and fan models, but you’ll still need to replace the pad at least annually.

Steam Whole-House Humidifier

A steam humidifier is regarded as the greatest efficiency and requires the smallest amount of maintenance, since it doesn’t need standing water or an evaporative pad. Depending on the extras you are looking for, they can range from $300 to more than $1,000, plus installation, according to national averages compiled by HomeAdvisor.

Since they can operate without your furnace being on, they might consume slightly more energy than drum and flow-through types. However, the trade-off is that they typically don’t involve mold troubles.

Make Winter More Pleasant with a Whole-House Humidifier from Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning

Although a whole-house humidifier is pricier than a portable model, it provides many perks a single-room model can’t. A few of those perks entail:

  • Keeping wood flooring, cabinets and furniture from cracking
  • Developing an improved environment for household members who have respiratory problems, like asthma
  • Decreasing frequent wintertime complaints, like scratchy skin or cracked lips
  • Lowering static electricity

Looking to enjoy a more pleasant heating season while at your residence? Our Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning professionals can help you select the right whole-house humidifier for your budget. Reach us at 760-784-9034 now to begin the process.