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Whole-House Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers

Pure Comfort installs Lennox Healthy Climate and AprilAire whole-house humidifiers and dehumidifiers, so dry winter air and damp summer basements are handled through your heating and cooling system.

Pure Comfort Heating and Cooling is a Lennox Premier Dealer serving Streamwood and nearby towns.

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The Basics

How Whole-House Humidity Control Works

A whole-house humidifier adds moisture as the heating system moves air through the ductwork. A whole-house dehumidifier removes moisture when the air conditioner alone cannot maintain comfortable conditions.

Neither system should be selected from symptoms alone. Equipment runtime, airflow, duct temperature, basement conditions and outdoor weather can all affect indoor humidity.

Lennox Healthy Climate whole-home humidifier
The Options

Common Humidity-Control Options

  • Whole-House Humidifiers
    These systems add controlled moisture during dry weather and operate with the home's heating and duct system.
  • Whole-House Dehumidifiers
    These systems remove excess moisture when indoor humidity remains high despite normal cooling operation.
  • Integrated Humidity Controls
    Compatible controls can monitor humidity and coordinate accessory operation with the HVAC system. Available functions depend on the equipment and control setup.

Whole-Home Humidifiers: Good, Better, Best

We install Lennox Healthy Climate humidifiers, which are built by AprilAire, plus AprilAire's own models. AprilAire invented the whole-home humidifier in 1954, so you're getting the brand most homeowners already know. Here's how the options compare for dry Chicagoland winters.

Good

Bypass Humidifiers

Uses your furnace blower to pass air over a water panel. Simple, low-maintenance and no extra power needed.

  • Uses furnace air, no extra motor
  • Low operating cost
  • Typical choice for most homes
Better

Fan-Powered Humidifiers

A built-in fan pushes more moisture into the air. More output than a bypass and no bypass duct needed.

  • More moisture output
  • No bypass duct to install
  • Great for larger or drafty homes
Best

Steam Humidifier

Makes steam on its own, so it adds moisture even when the furnace isn't heating. The most precise humidity control.

  • Works independently of the furnace
  • Most output and precision
  • Ideal for large homes, heat pumps and wood floors

Compare humidifiers and dehumidifiers

ModelTypeHow it worksGood forDetails
Good · Bypass humidifiers
Lennox Healthy Climate HCWB17BypassFurnace air passes over a water panelMost homesLearn more ↗
AprilAire 500 / 600BypassFurnace air passes over a water panelSmall to mid-size homesLearn more ↗
AprilAire 620Large bypass, HydroCoreHigher-output water panelMid to large homesLearn more ↗
Better · Fan-powered humidifiers
Lennox Healthy Climate HCWP18Fan-poweredBuilt-in fan adds more moistureLarger homesLearn more ↗
AprilAire 700Fan-poweredBuilt-in fan, no bypass ductLarger homes, tight spacesLearn more ↗
AprilAire 720Fan-powered, HydroCoreHigher-output fan-powered designLarge or drafty homesLearn more ↗
Best · Steam humidifier
AprilAire 800SteamBoils water into clean steamLarge homes, heat pumps, precise controlLearn more ↗
Whole-home dehumidifiers
Lennox Healthy Climate HCWHDWhole-home dehumidifierPulls moisture out through your ductworkMuggy summers, smaller homesLearn more ↗
Lennox Whole-Home Dehumidification SystemIntegrated systemWorks with your Lennox system for total humidity controlWhole-home comfortLearn more ↗
AprilAire DehumidifiersWhole-home dehumidifierDucted units for living space or basementsDamp basements, humid homesLearn more ↗
Ideal humidityMost homes are comfortable at 35 to 45% humidity in winter, a little lower on very cold days to prevent window condensation.
BypassUses the furnace blower and a small duct to move air through the humidifier.
Fan-poweredHas its own fan, so it delivers more moisture and needs no bypass duct.
SteamHeats water into steam. Works even when the furnace is off.

We size and install every humidifier with an automatic control and handle annual water panel changes in our maintenance plans.

Is It For You?

When Humidity-Control Equipment May Help

A humidifier may be worth considering when winter dryness contributes to static, dry air or shrinking wood. A dehumidifier may help when the home or basement stays damp, feels clammy or develops condensation during humid weather.

The source still matters. Water entry, air leakage, oversized cooling equipment or restricted airflow may need correction before adding an accessory.

Six Things That Matter

Features to Compare

01
Moisture-control capacity
02
HVAC and duct compatibility
03
Automatic or manual controls
04
Water, drainage and electrical requirements
05
Filter, pad or cleaning needs
06
Installation space, service access and HVAC coordination
Getting It Right

Find the Cause Before Adding Equipment

Choosing the Right Humidity-Control System

Start with the season, rooms and conditions where the problem appears. Indoor readings should be considered alongside equipment runtime, airflow, duct temperature and possible moisture sources.

Pure Comfort evaluates the cause before recommending equipment. That helps avoid adding a humidifier or dehumidifier when an HVAC, duct or building condition needs attention first.

Installation and HVAC Integration

Whole-house equipment must be matched to the home’s HVAC capacity and duct layout. Installation may involve duct connections, water supply, drainage, electrical wiring and compatible controls.

Placement should allow proper airflow, reliable drainage and future maintenance access. After installation, Pure Comfort verifies accessory operation and explains the controls and upkeep requirements.

Why Homeowners Choose Us

Why Choose Pure Comfort for Humidity Guidance

1

Evaluates seasonal conditions before recommending equipment

2

Reviews airflow, ductwork, controls and drainage together

3

Provides practical options based on the home and HVAC system

4

 Local, family-owned since 2008 and servicing all major brands

Keep Reading

Related Services and Guides

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The appropriate target changes with the season, outdoor temperature, home and condensation risk. A fixed setting is not right for every house or every month.

It can add controlled moisture when correctly sized and set up. The home must also be able to hold that moisture without causing window or surface condensation.

Persistent high readings, damp basement conditions or poor moisture removal may justify an evaluation. Cooling runtime, airflow and moisture entry should be checked before selecting equipment.

It may help when high surrounding humidity is the cause, but duct insulation, airflow and surface temperature should also be evaluated.

Licensed, certified and accredited

Reviewed and last updated by Gene Baldassano, owner of Pure Comfort Heating and Cooling and an HVAC technician since 2008.