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Lionel Boulin • Apr 15, 2019

Bypass Humidifiers vs. Fan-Powered Humidifiers

Have you ever noticed that your skin dries out indoors much more quickly in the winter than in the summer? It sounds paradoxical, but it’s actually more common than you’d think. HVAC systems, particularly those that use furnaces for heating, are great at warming up your home, but the warm air they produce is typically dry. To resolve this common issue, experts recommend using a humidifier to keep your relative humidity (RH) at a healthy level.

There are two main types of humidifiers that work with furnace systems: bypass and fan-powered humidifiers. Each of these types has its own list of pros and cons, and our  HVAC installation contractors  at Home Air Services have listed a few of them below:

Bypass Humidifiers

The main difference between a bypass and a fan-powered humidifier is in the way they circulate the air they process. A bypass humidifier relies on the furnace fan to increase your home’s humidity levels. This means that it cannot function on its own; it has to be connected to a furnace to operate.

One drawback to this type of humidifier is that because it humidifies the air before it gets distributed by the furnace fans, some of the moisture is lost in the process. This makes it a little less efficient than its fan-powered counterpart.

Fan-Powered Humidifiers

This type of humidifier can work as a standalone unit, regardless of whether it’s connected to a furnace fan or not. It controls moisture levels directly and distributes them evenly throughout your home. This method of operation means there is very little loss of efficiency, at least compared to a bypass humidifier. The direct application of moisture in the air makes it ideal for use in large spaces. In fact, many  HVAC companies  will recommend a fan-powered humidifier to cover a fairly large home with multiple rooms and varying humidity requirements.

At Home Air Services, we’re your leading provider of heating and  air conditioning repair , maintenance and installation services. Give us a call at (301) 269-3004 or fill out our  online contact form  to schedule a service visit or request an installation today.

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