How Much Does a Whole-House Humidifier Cost?

December 23, 2020

Adding a whole-house humidifier can help decrease cold-weather problems in St. Louis such as scratchy skin, a dry nose and peeling lips. As it runs with your heating system, there’s no need to lug a portable humidifier from room to room, spilling water as you go.

Since this system connects to your HVAC system, ductwork and plumbing, you’ll want to request professional whole-house humidifier installation from an HVAC company like Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating. Whole-house humidifier cost depends based on the type of humidifier you select and how long we need to install it.

To help you find the best whole-house humidifier for your house, let’s review the different kinds and their estimated price.

Drum Whole-House Humidifier

Drum humidifiers are the most requested model since they’re the most economical. They often are priced between $150–$250 plus installation, according to national averages put together by HomeAdvisor. They add moisture to your house with a padded rotated wheel, which moves up and dissolves water.

They’re available as bypass, which works when your heating system does, or fan-powered, which operates on its own. However, the lower price tag also comes with an increased need for maintenance to stop mold.

A drum humidifier uses an evaporative pad to distribute moisture across your residence. Depending on how frequently you use the humidifier, you’ll need to change this pad at least annually.

Flow-Through Whole-House Humidifier

As the name says, flow-through humidifiers flow water through an evaporator pad to make humidity. They run between $200–$300, plus installation, according to national averages from HomeAdvisor.

They use more water than a drum humidifier, but the likelihood of mold is lower as the water empties once the humidification cycle is done. You can select between bypass and fan models, but you’ll still need to install a new pad at least once a year.

Steam Whole-House Humidifier

A steam humidifier is regarded as the best efficiency and calls for a minimal amount of service, since it doesn’t require a pool of water or an evaporative pad. Depending on the extras you need, they can range from $300 to more than $1,000, plus installation, according to national averages from HomeAdvisor.

Since they can operate without your furnace being on, they could consume somewhat more utilities than drum and flow-through styles. However, the trade-off is that they usually don’t have mold issues.

Make Cold Weather More Pleasant with a Whole-House Humidifier from Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating

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

  • Keeping wood flooring, cabinets and furniture from drying out
  • Developing a healthier space for loved ones with respiratory problems, like asthma
  • Reducing usual cold-weather complaints, like scratchy skin or flaking lips
  • Reducing static electricity

Looking to enjoy a more pleasant heating season while at your residence? Our Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating professionals can help you select the ideal whole-house humidifier for your budget. Give us a call at 314-262-4541 now to start the process.