A Bypass Humidifier vs. A Power Humidifier: What’s the Difference?

Homeowners who worry about their air quality might be interested in getting a humidifier. A humidifier works in conjunction with the HVAC system in your Atlantic Beach, Florida, home to add moisture to the air. A bypass humidifier makes use of the HVAC blower to push the humidified air through the system, whereas a power humidifier has its own fan.

How Do Humidifiers Work?

Service technicians can install both types of whole-home humidifiers in your HVAC system. They connectthem to the heat duct and plumbing system. Whole-home humidifiers create vapor by forcing hot air through the water. Afterward, your ducts distribute the vapor and a humidistat monitors the humidity levels.

Bypass Humidifiers

These are the most common types of humidifiers and require little maintenance. They can adapt to hard and soft water. Since they don’t have their own fan, they circulate moisture through the air handler. This causes significant loss in humidity and makes them less efficient.

A bypass humidifier requires bypass ducts, taking up extra space in your home. It also uses a bypass damper that must open to operate, shutting off off in the summer when you don’t use it.

Power Humidifiers

Due to higher efficiency and less space requirements, power humidifiers are gaining popularity. They have their own fan and don’t require bypass ductwork to function.

Unlike bypass humidifiers, they function when the furnace isn’t running. As a result, they produce more humidity with minimal electricity. However, power humidifiers are costlier to buy and repair.

Which Type Is Right For You?

If you don’t have enough space to install bypass ductwork or are concerned that the ductwork will spoil the aesthetics of your home, you should go with a power humidifier. If you often run a humidifier even when the heating is off, a power humidifier is an ideal choice.

Install a bypass humidifier if you’re on a limited budget, looking for lower operational cost or need quieter operation.

Consult the qualified HVAC service technicians at Cool R Us to choose and install the right type of humidifier in your home. Call (904) 222-6603 to schedule an appointment.

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