Combating dry air? You’re on the right page. It’s more economical to install a humidifier that circulates throughout the whole house rather than buy separate ones for each area.
And here, in this article, we’ll explore the average cost of setting up a whole-house humidifier, its different types, and the factors that affect the price. So let’s begin!
The Average Cost of Installing a Whole-House Humidifier
Homeowners typically spend between $395 and $734 for installing a whole-house humidifier, including the unit and labor.
A large portion of the price is taken up by the type and model of humidifier you choose. While lower-end units often cost between $100 and $300, premium models can cost up to $1,000.
Whereas the remaining share comprises the labor, which costs about $50 to $70 per hour, along with other factors.
Factors That Affect the Humidifier Price
Here are the factors that influence the price of a whole-house humidifier. We will also share some tips so that you will spend less.
- Type of Humidifier
As we mentioned earlier, the type of humidifier you select will considerably affect the price. This can either be a steam, flow-through, or drum model, which can cost from $150 to $1,100.
Also, we will briefly discuss these three types after this section.
- Unit Size
The bigger your house is, the larger or more powerful the humidifier you’ll need to add moisture around your home. These models are certainly more expensive.
The unit size you pick, by the way, should match the degree to which your home is sealed and the total area size.
A well-sealed home with an area of 1,500 sq ft needs a humidifier that produces 3.2 gallons of vapor per day. But a same-sized home with moderate sealing will require more output of 5.5 gallons daily.
- Labor
The humidifier installation project costs $50 to $70 per hour on average. You may get a better price by doing the following:
Before you choose a professional, be sure to obtain multiple quotes so you can pick the best deal among them.
Or, if you are fairly skilled and confident with this sort of thing, you can just tackle the project yourself to cut your expenses. However, you would need to work with extreme caution and safety.
- Service Fee
Also, normally, the client would have to pay a service fee of $10 to $20 in addition to the labor cost.
This includes consultation, materials, tools, and transportation, among other things. The great thing about it is you can get valuable advice regarding what brand and type of humidifier to pick.
The Different Types of Whole-Home Humidifiers and Their Costs
Whole-house humidifiers come in three types. Let’s take a look at each one of them and their costs.
- Drum Model
This is a basic and affordable humidifier for the whole house. It sports a round body inside of which the absorbent pad collects water and lets it evaporate out through the bypass tube.
They cost around $150 to $250. But note that its filter needs to be replaced by an HVAC professional every month for efficient performance, which costs $10 to $20.
The model’s downside is it can be prone to bacteria or mold growth if it’s not maintained regularly. And that will lead to more costly repairs.
- Flow-Through Model
A flow-through model directly releases moisture into the air from the hot air coming from your furnace. Also, it’s more low-maintenance than the preceding humidifier type.
Although its filter needs to be changed now and then, there’s little servicing needed once it’s installed.
As for the price, it’s slightly more expensive at $200 to $300, but it’s a worthy investment for your whole house, as it gives you great value for your money.
- Steam Model
The third type of humidifier is the steam model. This functions smartly in that it only releases the needed amount of moisture in relation to the humidity level in the room.
As the name suggests, it produces steam by heating water in its tank. Afterward, it relays the work to the furnace to add moisture to your room.
Steam whole-house humidifiers’ costs vary widely from $300 to $1,100, and to know what’s best for your unique home design, you can discuss this with the HVAC specialist.
