Do you have a whole-house humidifier? If so, you might not think much about its maintenance, but you should. You don’t want it breaking down, since your home’s relative humidity level is very important. If it’s too high, it can lead to mold growth, musty smells and allergic reactions. If it’s too low, a problem that’s more common during the heating season, you and your loved ones could face health issues such as dry, itchy skin or irritation in your nose and throat. Furthermore, your furniture and electronics could be damaged by static electricity, which occurs when the air is too dry. 

If you’ve got a whole-house humidifier in your Asheville area home, here are a few tips to ensure smooth and efficient operation (of the most common type of whole-house humidifier):

• Check that your unit is level: Located at the top of the unit is the water distribution tray, which is responsible for wetting the water panel beneath it. Should the tray or the unit not be level, uneven wetting will occur, which reduces the unit’s capacity. If the tray is uneven, carefully remove it and check for mineral deposits underneath it.
• Purchase and use a maintenance kit: If your unit has been neglected for several years, you may need to replace some of its parts. A kit typically contains such items as a water distribution tray, water pads, and feed tube assembly.
• Perform a visual inspection for leaks: Check for drips, puddles or rust spots around your whole-house humidifier and its components. If you find any, turn off the water and power supply, and check the most common causes. These include water backing up in the drain line at the unit’s bottom; kinks in the line, or an uneven slope to it; or a clogged water panel (located in the center of the unit). Over time, mineral deposits and scale will accumulate on the panel in the center of the unit, clogging the openings and hampering airflow. Seasonal replacement is recommended, though if your water has a high mineral content such as well water, you may need to do it more often. Clean the components annually: Mineral deposits can build up on components such as the drain pan at the bottom of the unit.

For more information on how to maintain your whole-house humidifier, call the experts at Smoky Mountain Heating & Air. We serve residential and light commercial customers in Asheville and the surrounding communities.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Asheville, North Carolina and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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