Humidifiers, Indoor Air Quality
Have you cleaned your humidifier lately? Whether it’s been a couple weeks, a year, or it’s never been cleaned it could be a breeding ground for mold growth and bacteria. So check out the newest blog from the indoor air quality experts at Action Furnace where we go over how to clean your humidifier and how often to improve efficiency, longevity and overall home comfort.
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Hey, have you cleaned your humidifier lately?
If not, it could be turning into a breeding ground for mold growth and bacteria. But don’t worry! In today’s blog post, we’ve created your essential guide on how to keep your humidifier sparkling clean, whether you're tackling it on your own, or calling in the professionals for a more thorough job. We’ll also cover just how often you should be cleaning your humidifier to keep it running smoothly.
Say goodbye to unwanted germs and hello to cleaner, fresher air. Let’s dive in!
Roll Up Those Sleeves! - DIY Cleaning TIps
Cleaning your own humidifier is easier than you might think. Here are 5 simple DIY steps you can take to clean your unit and help it run more efficiently.
1. Disassemble the humidifier
Unplug your humidifier and carefully take it apart. Start by removing the water tank, filter and any other detachable components. Always keep your user manual handy in case you're not quite sure how everything fits together.
2. Empty & Rinse
Pour out any remaining water from your humidifier’s tank and base. Rinse the components thoroughly to remove any debris that may have fallen in, as well as to loosen any mineral deposits.
3. Clean From Top To Bottom
Fill the tank with a water and vinegar based solution and let sit anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Vinegar will help dissolve any buildup while effectively disinfecting the tank. You can also use a cloth or a soft brush to help scrub away some of the stubborn areas.
4. Disinfect…Again
If it’s been a really long time since your last cleaning, or if you haven’t cleaned your humidifier ever (we don’t judge!) you may have to do a second round of disinfecting with a watered down bleach solution. Again use a soft cloth or brush to work those more stubborn areas. Oh, and wear gloves!
5. Dry & Reassemble
Once everything is clean and thoroughly rinsed, let all components air dry completely before reassembling. This prevents hard to reach damp areas which can lead to faster mold regrowth. Once put back together, fill your freshly cleaned humidifier with clean water and get ready to enjoy fresher, more comfortable air.
Professional Cleaning - For The Tough Stuff
Action Furnace has been Calgary’s trusted source for all things indoor air quality since 1975, and that includes whole-home humidifiers.
One of the biggest benefits of whole-home humidifiers is their ability to maintain consistent humidity levels throughout your entire home, promoting overall comfort and a healthier living space. Unlike smaller, portable units, whole-home humidifiers integrate with your home’s HVAC system, ensuring every room receives just the right amount of moisture.
Whole-home humidifiers are great for your skin and help alleviate respiratory issues. Optimal humidity levels also help prevent mold and mildew growth. What’s not to love about this amazing piece of equipment, honestly?
Well, the only thing we can think of is that it's not the easiest thing to clean, but it’s an essential component to overall system health and efficiency. So that’s where the expert technicians at Action Furnace come in!
A key part of our humidifier tune-up service is thorough cleaning. Here’s how we do it, so you don’t have to:
1. Turn Off The Power
To ensure safety, your personalized technician will always turn the power off to your HVAC system.
2. Disassemble The Unit
Next your technician will disassemble your humidifier by removing the access panel that protects all the precious internal components, including the water panel (sometimes referred to as the evaporator pad) and the distribution lines.
3. Replace The Water Panel
The humidifier’s water panel is the most crucial part of your whole-home humidifier system, and it requires regular cleaning and replacement to work effectively.
Your technician will inspect, clean or replace the panel depending on its age and condition.
4. Clean From Top To Bottom (A step so nice, we included it twice)
Using the latest tools, your technician will scrub all the internal parts of your humidifier to remove build-up and debris that might have made its way into the unit via your ductwork.
Next they will inspect and clean the drain line, removing any clogs or build up. Clogs can lead to damage and water leaks, so we always make sure to not miss this step!
5. Reassemble & Troubleshoot
After your whole-home humidifier is inspected and cleaned, your technician will reassemble and restore power to your HVAC system before troubleshooting for any potential issues.
So, How Often Should You Be Cleaning Your Humidifier?
For optimal performance, we recommend cleaning your humidifier (either DIY or professionally) at least once a year, typically before the start of winter when our Alberta air starts to get cold and dry. If your home’s air is particularly dry and your humidifier is experiencing heavy use, you can clean as much as every two weeks. Cleaning only helps the functionality of your system!
Regular maintenance like cleaning helps extend the lifespan of your humidifier, allowing you to enjoy its benefits for longer.
Being A Member Pays Off - Join The Humidifier Comfort Club!
When you join the Action Furnace Comfort Club you’ll never have to worry about remembering to clean and maintain your whole-home humidifier again!
For one low monthly membership fee, all your annual maintenance will be prescheduled, you’ll get an annual supply of humidifier pads and get exclusive access to diagnostic and repair fees.
Join over 10,000 of your friends and neighbours who trust our team to maintain their HVAC systems. No matter the home or the equipment, we have a Comfort Club Membership for you. Click here to learn more, or talk to your friendly technician today!
In The Market For A New Whole-Home Humidifier?
Most whole-home humidifiers are designed to last about 10 years, so if you are in the market for a replacement or are considering installing one for the first time, here are a couple equipment options highly recommended by our Home Comfort Advisors.
The GeneralAire 3200 Air Humidifier: is a whole-home model that uses a bypass design that works with your existing furnace. The warm air from your furnace passes through the VaporPad technology, where moisture is then added. Once the air passes through the humidifier it’s distributed around your home.
This model can effectively humidify homes up to 3200 square feet, and the VaporPad only needs to be replaced once every couple years for enhanced convenience!
The GeneralAir Steam Humidifier: is a whole-home humidifier that passes electrical current between electrodes inside the unit’s cylinder, heating the water to create steam. The steam is then dispersed throughout your home.
Steam humidifiers tend to be more effective for larger homes and use less water than other models.
No matter your needs, Action Furnace has equipment options for you! Whole-home humidity control starts as low as $549, contact us today to learn more!
So there you have it, where you’re a DIY enthusiast ready to tackle cleaning on your own, or you prefer the peace of mind that comes with professional maintenance, keeping your humidifier clean is the key to a healthier, more comfortable home. Whether you're doing it once a year, or every couple weeks, every system will benefit from a little extra love and attention.
Every Albertan deserves cleaner air, which is why Action Furnace offers air quality solutions for every need and budget. All of our humidifier options are completely integratable with your existing HVAC system, so don’t delay, call our knowledgeable team today. Happy humidifying!
