Humidifiers and electronic air cleaners are two HVAC accessories that can easily be retrofitted to almost any existing HVAC system. Both are economical and will vastly improve the comfort of the occupants, as well as the indoor air quality of the home, which impacts the health of the occupants, especially those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory health issues.
Many HVAC systems dry out both the occupants of the home, as well as the home itself because the air is dry. This is especially true with gas fired furnaces, where the air is very dry. It impacts people by drying out the mucus membranes in the nose and nasal passages, which leads to nose bleeds and dry skin during the winter. The wood materials in the home are also impacted as the moisture is drawn out of the materials leading to moldings cracking and gaps opening up on hardwood floors. The installation of a humidifier reintroduces moisture into the air, which results in the occupants of the home being more comfortable and the building materials staying stable.
Electronic air cleaners are an excellent way to further eliminate germs, dust and other pollutants that exist in the air in a home. As with humidifiers, there are number of different types on the market, with some being better than others on the size of the particles captured. All electronic air cleaners will need some periodic maintenance such as cleaning or replacement of the filter media.
A qualified HVAC technician can easily install both of these products within a day. The humidifier will require a small line to be run from a water pipe to the unit, as well as a power supply. The air cleaner will require some minor modification to the ductwork as well as a power supply. Both will dramatically improve the indoor air quality in the home!
