Why Utah homes get too dry in winter
Utah is a dry state, and winter makes it worse. Cold outdoor air holds very little moisture. When that air comes inside and is heated, its relative humidity falls further, so a house can end up far drier than is comfortable. Running a furnace all day pulls even more moisture from the air.
Many people notice it before they measure it. Static shocks, dry or itchy skin, chapped lips, a scratchy throat and nosebleeds are common signs. Wood suffers too: floors can gap or cup, trim can shrink and furniture joints can loosen.
- Static shocks when touching doorknobs or pets
- Dry skin, cracked lips, scratchy throat or irritated eyes
- Gaps opening between wood floorboards or in trim
- Houseplants that dry out quickly
- A hygrometer, an inexpensive meter, that reads below the comfortable range
How much humidity is comfortable
A commonly cited comfortable range for indoor air is about 30 to 50 percent relative humidity. In winter, many people aim toward the lower to middle part of that range. The reason is condensation. When humid indoor air touches a cold surface, such as a window in a Utah January, the moisture condenses into water. Too much humidity can leave water on glass, fog and drip on window frames, encourage mold and stain surrounding materials.
A humidifier should be set to match outdoor temperatures and your windows, not run flat out. Humidistat controls let the system hold a target, and many include a setting that adjusts to the outdoor temperature. If you see regular condensation on windows after installation, lower the setting and ask the installer to check the control. Our guide on winter humidity covers the range in more detail.
Whole-home versus steam humidifiers
A portable humidifier handles one room and needs refilling. A whole-home humidifier connects to your home's water supply and your heating system, so it adds moisture to the air that moves through every room. Rocket installs whole-home humidifiers, including steam humidifiers. The main styles differ in how they make moisture.
- Bypass and fan-powered types: water flows over a pad or drum that sits in the heating system, and air passing through picks up moisture. They are common and straightforward.
- Steam humidifiers: a canister heats water into steam, which is delivered into the ductwork. They can put out more moisture and are often chosen for larger or leakier homes or where very dry air is a persistent problem. They use electricity to make the steam.
- Tank-style: a style that holds a reservoir of water rather than relying only on a continuous supply. Ask the technician how it works for your home.
Installation and water supply
A humidifier is a plumbing and HVAC job at once. It ties into the supply ductwork or the air handler, needs a small cold water line, and in most designs a drain for excess water. The control, a humidistat, goes on a wall or the return duct.
Electrical supply matters for steam types, and the location matters for all of them. The unit needs access for service, space beside the furnace and a path for water and drain lines.
- Look at the furnace or air handler, ductwork and the space available for the unit.
- Choose the humidifier type for your home's size and how dry it gets.
- Tap a cold water supply and run the line to the unit, with a shutoff valve.
- Run the drain line and the electrical connection if the model needs one.
- Mount the humidistat, test the system and set the target humidity.
Maintenance and hard water
A humidifier works with water, and water leaves minerals behind. Hard water is common in the valley, and you can find your own number in your water utility's published quality report. Scale builds up on the pad, drum or inside a steam canister and slows output.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the unit. Typically the pad or drum is replaced or cleaned on a set schedule, and a steam canister is cleaned or replaced when scale builds. Shut off the water and power before any work, and turn the humidifier off in warm months. A water softener or filtration upstream can reduce scale, and is worth asking about at install.
Why call Rocket for a humidifier
Because Rocket handles plumbing and heating together, a humidifier gets both its water line and its connection done by one team in West Jordan. Schedule online, call or text.
Frequently asked questions
What humidity level should my house have in winter?
A commonly cited range is 30 to 50 percent. Lower in the range on very cold days helps avoid condensation on windows.
Do whole-home humidifiers need a drain?
Most designs do, to carry away excess or flush water. The technician plans the drain route during installation.
What is a steam humidifier?
It heats water in a canister to make steam and delivers it into the ductwork. It uses electricity and puts out more moisture than many pad types.
How often does the pad or canister need attention?
It depends on the model and your water. Follow the manufacturer's schedule; hard water shortens it.
Can too much humidity damage my home?
Yes. Excess moisture can fog and drip from windows, stain materials and support mold. Use a hygrometer and adjust the humidistat.
