Whole-House Humidifier vs Portable Humidifier: Which One Is Right for You?
Summary: If you live in a dry climate or have cold winters where you’re plagued by static electricity and health problems associated with low humidity, a whole-house humidifier is the better option. A portable humidifier is better for temporary usage during an illness.
By Anne Fonda
What is a humidifier?
A humidifier is an appliance designed to increase the humidity in a room or the entire home. Humidifiers are available as portable units or as whole-house humidifiers.
When do I need to use a humidifier?
You (and your home) could benefit from using a humidifier if you have low humidity. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends an indoor humidity level of 30-50% for comfort and to prevent mold growth.
What are some signs of low indoor relative humidity (RH)?
Indoor humidity below 30% is considered low humidity. Low humidity can cause or exacerbate physical symptoms, and can damage your home or belongings, as well.
Signs of low humidity and dry air include:
- Chapped lips
- Dry skin and hair
- Cough/tickle in the throat
- Dry nasal passages/nosebleeds
- Static electricity
- Dry, shrinking, and cracking wood
- Wallpaper that peels at the seams
While the Cleveland Clinic says low humidity can cause these health issues, keep in mind that some of these physical symptoms may be caused by illness.
What does a humidifier do?
Essentially, a humidifier adds moisture in the form of water vapor into the air through evaporation, steam, or mist. This increases the humidity in a room or the entire home to a set level.
How do humidifiers work?
The exact workings depend on the type of humidifier. A portable room humidifier uses water in a reservoir (that you fill multiple times a day to once every 3 days, depending on the type and size). The humidifier then sends moisture into the air through evaporation, steam, a cool mist, or a warm mist.
A whole-home humidifier is connected to your home’s water supply. For some units, when the HVAC system thermostat indicates the humidity is dropping, the humidifier turns on, water starts dripping, and it increases the humidity by adding moisture through evaporation (evaporative humidifier). These types of humidifiers are sometimes called furnace humidifiers because they are installed next to the furnace.
Trane steam humidifiers have humidity sensors built in and can operate independently of the HVAC system. They are also connected to your home’s water supply and use electrodes that extend into a canister of water, causing the water to boil and generate steam. You can get full details in the steam humidifier owner’s manual.
What does a humidifier help with?
The benefits of a humidifier are numerous. A humidifier can relieve many of the signs of low humidity we mentioned above. In addition, doctors may recommend a humidifier for relief of health issues such as
- Nasal congestion
- Sinus pressure
- Sore throat/itchy throat
- Cough
- Mucus/chest congestion
- Asthma symptoms
- Chapped lips, dry skin, nosebleeds
But let’s get back to our original question. Is a whole-house humidifier or a portable humidifier a better solution for you? This comparison table can help you decide. We provide general specifications for portable humidifiers (including tabletop and console styles) and more specific specifications for Trane whole-house humidifiers.
| Humidifier type | Space served | Capacity | Maintenance | Cost | Warranty | Expected lifespan |
| Portable | 400-1,000 sq. ft. | .5-5 gallons | Refill tank with distilled water multiple times a day to once every 3 days, clean every 3 days | $60-$350 | 1-3 years | 2-5 years when well-maintained |
| Trane steam humidifier | Up to 5,000 sq. ft. | 11.5- 34.6 gallons | Professional maintenance required every 500 hours of operation | $500-$1,800 including installation | 10-yr. warranty on parts with warranty registration | 8-15 years when well-maintained |
| Trane fan-powered humidifier | Up to 4,200 sq. ft. | Up to 18 gallons | Annual professional inspection | $200-$900 including installation | 10-yr. warranty on parts with warranty registration | 8-15 years when well-maintained |
| Trane bypass humidifier | Up to 4,000 sq. ft | Up to 17 gallons | Change humidifier pad annually, turn off water supply in the summer, annual professional inspection | $200-$900 including installation | 10-yr. warranty on parts with warranty registration | 8-15 years when well-maintained |
Whole-house humidifier: Best for dry climates or areas with cold winters
The bottom line: A whole-home humidifier is best if you live in a dry climate or an area with cold winter weather. As the temperature drops during heating season, indoor humidity can plunge as well. And not just in one room, either. A whole-house humidifier can help ensure everyone gets the benefits of a humidifier, no matter what room they’re in.
While the whole-house humidifier cost will be more than a portable humidifier, most people who install them say the change in comfort level is worth the cost, especially if someone in the family has respiratory issues. In addition, since higher humidity makes your house feel warmer, you may be able to lower the temperature without sacrificing comfort. Lowering the temperature by a few degrees can help save you money on your heating bills.
Portable humidifier: Best for a small area, for temporary use
If you live in an area with reasonable humidity levels year-round or it doesn’t get very cold in the winter, a humidifier for the bedroom may be all you need to help with cough, congestion, or an itchy, scratchy throat.
Just be sure that you switch out the water frequently, clean it at least weekly, and follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper use. If you get tired of the high maintenance that portable humidifiers require, you can explore whole-house options.
Custom, adjustable humidity for the whole house
When you have a whole-house humidifier, it’s important to anticipate changes in outdoor temperature and adjust the humidifier setting accordingly to avoid excessive condensation when the outdoor temperature is low. For example, with an outdoor temperature of 20°F, the correct setting will be 35%.
If the temperature is expected to fall to 0°F that evening, then merely reduce the setting to 25% several hours before the temperature change. You can adjust a whole-house humidifier at the controls, at the thermostat based, or with the Trane Home App based on the outdoor temperature.
The table below from our humidifier owner's manuals shows what the recommended indoor humidity is at various outdoor temperatures.
| Outdoor Temperature | Recommended Indoor RH |
| +40℉ | 45% |
| +30℉ | 40% |
| +20℉ | 35% |
| +10℉ | 30% |
| 0℉ | 25% |
| -10℉ | 20% |
| -20℉ | 15% |
Schedule professional humidifier installation
If you’re tired of static electricity, dry skin, and other symptoms due to low humidity in your home, schedule a consultation with your local Trane dealer. They can assess your home and recommend the best whole-home humidifier for your situation.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Sean Goddard, Product Manager, Coils & Indoor Air Quality
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