



Dry air in the home can cause discomfort as well as respiratory problems for occupants within the home. Ideally you’ll want to strive for a 30 to 50 percent humidity level. This is where humidifiers enter the picture to help maintain that ideal humidity, particularly in cold, dry Massachusetts winters.

The decision between a whole-house humidifier and a portable one can be difficult. Here are a few pros and cons to help in the decision:
Whole-house humidifiers: Whole-house humidifiers never need to be filled with water because they draw water from the home’s plumbing supply. They only require a one-time set up. They also help control the humidity in the entire home, and are virtually noise free, thereby contributing to even greater comfort in the home.
Whole-house units aren’t as easy to bring home as portable units. They also require a fairly high level of know-how for installation, and expert installation is recommended. The systems tend to pick up mineral deposits from the water supply, but they can be cleaned out at the end of the heating season with a diluted water-and-vinegar solution.
Portable humidifiers: Portable units are nice just because they are convenient. They can be moved around easily and some units are manufactured with wheels. Desktop models are available to maintain a level of comfort while working at your desk.
Portable humidifiers, because of their size, are only capable of humidifying a small area such as one, or maybe two, rooms. You’ll have to make sure that the unit has an ample water supply at all times, as the water is self-contained on these units. Some units have a removable water reservoir, while others will require you to bring the water to the unit either with a hose or a bucket. Use purified or distilled water to help keep the inner workings of the unit clean.
In Massachusetts, contact Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to discuss your home humidifying needs and find which option is best for you and your family.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about humidifiers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
Both Alex and Patrick were knowledgeable, courteous, and professional. They made a change that might have solved the recent problem and have structured a more complete solution. We agreed to this...
Mike was thorough, thoughtful and considerate. Covered their shoes before entering, surveyed my issue and provided an explanation of the services and costs. Great Job!
Alex did a great job providing an explanation of the services provided and went out of his way to offer assistance/advice on other issues outside of our scheduled maintenance visit.
Brian did an excellent job inspecting our 18-year old boiler and replacing some of the accessory hardware that needed it, he also adjusted the outgoing hot water settings for our radiators and...
Rodenhiser is my one stop shop!!! They take care of my HVAC, electrical, and plumbing issues & are always helpful addressing any questions I may have about the systems in my house! Everyone...
Chris G. and Nick V. showed up bright and early at 8am to fix my water heater issue. They were on time, polite and were able to fix an issue that has been plaguing my house for a good year. They...
When you are looking for plumbing, electrical, heating or air conditioning in the Route 495 / 128 area, you will be delighted that you called Massachusetts' trusted choice since 1928.
With a total dedication to professional workmanship and excellent service, discover why families and businesses continue to trust Rodenhiser after generations of service