A Taylorsville customer in a 2012-built two-story home contacted us about winter dry air symptoms — dry skin, static electricity, respiratory irritation, and wood furniture showing signs of drying out. Salt Lake’s winter air is naturally dry, and indoor heating systems reduce indoor humidity further during the heating season. Indoor humidity in their home regularly measured 15–22% during winter months — well below the 30–45% range comfortable for occupants and protective of wood furnishings.
This case study documents a whole-home bypass humidifier installation that addressed winter humidity issues without the maintenance and biological concerns sometimes associated with humidifier installation.
Customer Situation
- Home: 2012-built Taylorsville two-story, approximately 2,600 sq ft
- Existing equipment: 96% AFUE Trane furnace, ECM blower
- Symptom: Indoor humidity 15–22% during winter; dry skin, static electricity, respiratory irritation; wood furniture drying out
- Customer priorities: Reach comfortable indoor humidity (35–40%), avoid mold/biological concerns, reasonable maintenance
Equipment Selection
Three humidifier types discussed:
Bypass humidifier (AprilAire 600M) — $625 installed (selected)
– Uses furnace blower to push air through water-soaked pad
– No standing water (continuous flow)
– Annual pad replacement
– Most reliable, lowest maintenance
Fan-powered humidifier — $750 installed
– Has dedicated fan for higher capacity
– More complex installation
– Annual pad replacement
– Higher capacity but more components to maintain
Steam humidifier — $1,400+ installed
– Highest capacity, most precise control
– Requires electrical service capacity (steam generation uses significant power)
– More complex maintenance
– Premium option
Customer selected bypass humidifier — adequate capacity for home size, simplest operation, lowest maintenance.
Installation
Duration: Half day (4 hours)
Work performed:
- Cut opening in supply plenum for humidifier
- Cut opening in return plenum for bypass duct
- Installed humidifier on supply plenum
- Installed bypass duct between supply and return
- Connected water supply line (1/4″ copper from cold water line)
- Installed water shutoff valve at water connection
- Connected drain line to nearest floor drain
- Installed humidistat in return air duct (sensing return air humidity)
- Connected to furnace control board (humidifier operates only when furnace blower runs)
- Set humidistat to 35% RH target
Commissioning and Verification
Pre-installation baseline:
– Indoor humidity: 18% (measured)
– Outdoor humidity: 32% (typical winter)
– Outdoor temperature: 31°F
Three-day post-installation:
– Indoor humidity: 32% (significant improvement)
– Customer report: dry skin and static symptoms reduced
– Wood floors and furniture: visible improvement
One-week:
– Indoor humidity: 36% (at target setpoint)
– No condensation observed on windows (good — over-humidification would cause window condensation)
– Customer comfort significantly improved
Two-month winter measurements:
– Indoor humidity averaged 35–38% throughout heating season
– No mold or biological growth observed at humidifier
– Annual maintenance (pad replacement) scheduled
Final Cost
Customer’s project cost: $625 installed
Annual operating costs:
– Replacement pad: $30/year
– Water consumption: minimal (~$3/year)
– Electricity: negligible (uses existing furnace blower)
What This Case Study Demonstrates
- Bypass humidifier appropriate for most homes — simpler, more reliable than fan-powered or steam alternatives
- Humidistat control prevents over-humidification (which causes window condensation and mold concerns)
- Significant comfort improvement — measurable humidity increase from 18% to 36% during heating season
- Low maintenance approach — annual pad replacement is all that’s required
Considering Whole-Home Humidification?
If you experience winter dry air symptoms in your Taylorsville home, call (385) 250-0687.
- Phone: (385) 250-0687
- Address: 4454 Manhattan Ct, West Valley City, UT 84120