Whole-home humidifiers in St. Paul, MN

Comfort and protection

Cold outdoor air holds little moisture, and your furnace warms that dry air without adding any back. By midwinter, many Twin Cities homes feel dry from the basement to the bedrooms.

Balanced humidity eases dry skin, itchy eyes and sore throats. It also helps protect wood floors, furniture and trim from cracking, and it cuts down on static shocks.

A whole-home humidifier treats the entire house at once, through the same ducts that carry your heat. Krinkie's has installed and serviced heating equipment in the Twin Cities since 1981. We match each humidifier to the size of the home and the furnace it serves.

Installed with your furnace

A whole-home humidifier mounts on your furnace or the ductwork next to it. It connects to a water line, and most models connect to a drain. Moisture goes into the warm air as it moves through the ducts, so every room gets it. We route the water line and drain so they are easy to reach for service.

Whole-home humidifiers come in three common types. A bypass humidifier uses the furnace blower to push air through a wet water panel. A fan-powered model adds its own fan, and a steam model boils water and needs its own electrical circuit.

There are no portable units to fill. The EPA's guide to the use and care of home humidifiers says portable units should be emptied and dried daily. It also recommends cleaning them every third day to limit scale and microorganisms.

Setting the right humidity level

More moisture is not always better for your home or your health. The EPA advises against humidifying above 50 percent relative humidity, because higher levels can encourage dust mites and mold. Its guide to mold and moisture in your home puts the ideal range at 30 to 50 percent.

In a Minnesota winter, the right setting also depends on the weather. Cold windows collect condensation first, so lower the setting as it gets colder outside. If water or frost forms on windows, the EPA says to lower the humidistat setting or reduce use.

We install a control that lets you adjust the level from one place. During installation, we show you how to read it and when to change it. A small hygrometer in a bedroom is an inexpensive way to double-check the reading.

Keeping it clean

A humidifier that is not maintained can work against your air quality. The EPA's introduction to indoor air quality lists humidification devices and excess moisture among indoor pollution sources.

Most evaporative models need the water panel replaced at least once each heating season, and some need it more often. A technician can inspect the humidifier, its drain and its control during your fall furnace tune-up and maintenance visit. Krinkie's Club members get that fall visit as one of two tune-ups each year.

If dust, pollen or pet dander bothers your family, a humidifier will not remove them, because it only adds moisture to the air. Ask about pairing it with whole-home air purification.

Safety around your furnace

Installing a humidifier means cutting into ductwork and connecting water, drain and sometimes electrical lines next to a gas furnace. Do not modify your furnace, gas piping or wiring yourself. Our certified, background-checked technicians handle each connection.

A water leak from a humidifier can damage the furnace below it. If you see water on or around the furnace, shut off the humidifier's water valve and call us. Check that the drain line is clear at the start of each heating season.

If you smell gas, leave the house right away and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. The CPSC's carbon monoxide safety guidance calls for CO alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas. If an alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call 911.

Signs your air is too dry

• Itchy eyes or a dry throat
• Frequent static shocks
• Cracking wood floors or trim
• Dry, irritated skin
• Gaps opening between floorboards in winter

Common questions

Sources

• U.S. EPA — Use and care of home humidifiers
• U.S. EPA — A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home
• U.S. EPA — Introduction to indoor air quality
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Carbon Monoxide Information Center