Humidifiers can enhance your quality of life, especially in summer months when the air conditioner is running and creating dry air in your home. By adding moisture to the air, humidifiers are an effective way to combat dry skin, chapped lips, and a sore throat.

When you are stuck with a broken humidifier, your skin and other sensitive parts of your body can become irritated, so it’s important to get it fixed quickly. At R.A. Dobson, we provide humidifier repair services to homes and businesses throughout Sterling, Virginia. If you’re unsure that your humidifier is working properly, or if something seems off about the way it’s functioning, consider getting one of our professionals to inspect and repair it.

Here are three issues to look for that require inspection by a professional:

Humidifier Is Noisy

It is typical for your humidifier to make a low noise, such as the sound of water becoming vaporized or a slight buzzing as it disperses the vapor into the air. However, if you hear a loud buzzing or a clicking sound, there could be a large issue that needs to be resolved. Common issues that can create a noisy sound include:

• Collected debris on removable filters
• Defective fan motor
• Clogged drain system
• Unlubricated drive mechanism

If you’re unsure what’s exactly causing the sound, leave the job to a professional technician from R.A. Dobson.

Humidifier Is Leaking

Leaking is a common problem that happens in humidifiers and is seen when there is little-to-no maintenance over several years. Typically, if the drain line is clogged, water will build up inside the humidifier and eventually leak out. Since excess water is emptied out through the drain line, any blockage or damage to the drain line will leak. Other reasons your humidifier may be leaking include:

• Malfunctioning solenoid valve
• Water pressure is too high for the humidifier
• Clogged evaporator pad (should be changed seasonally)

When dealing with a leaking humidifier, it’s best to turn to an expert for a repair or replacement.

Humidifier Isn’t Working

If you notice nothing is happening when you turn on your humidifier, you likely need a repair or replacement. This may sound obvious but, before hiring a professional, make sure that the humidifier is actually plugged in, and then check the outlet. To ensure that it’s not just an outlet issue, try plugging in your phone charger or a lamp to test it.

You may be able to hear that your humidifier is running, but if you realize there’s no mist or steam coming out, the humidifier may need to be cleaned. The reasons depend on what type of humidifier you have installed. Here are the main two types of humidifiers:

Warm Mist Humidifier

Warm mist humidifiers are susceptible to mineral deposit build-ups. If you see a layer of black coating on the heating elements of your warm mist humidifier, this means that the mineral build up is blocking the mist and needs to be professionally cleaned.

Cool Mist Humidifier

Mineral deposits can happen in a cool mist humidifier as well. However, since there is no heating element in the cool mist humidifier, the build-up is likely blocking your humidifier’s filter. If the filter is being blocked, it’s likely time for a replacement filter, which can be provided and installed by a professional.

R.A. Dobson: Professional Humidifier Repair in Sterling, VA

During the summer season, you’ll certainly want to minimize the effects of seasonal allergies and dry skin, as well as make your home more comfortable by installing a humidifier into your home’s HVAC system. If you notice any problems with the one you currently have installed, consider hiring a professional to inspect, repair, or replace it.

When working with R.A. Dobson, trust that your quality humidifier repair in Sterling, VA is taken care of by experienced service technicians that have received the highest level of training. Additionally, we also provide services in plumbing, air conditioning, air cleaners, thermostat installations, and more.

Contact us now at (703) 481-3700 and let R.A. Dobson maximize your home’s comfort with a humidifier or other home appliance system backed by both manufacturer warranty and our own 1-year service warranty.

If you are experiencing frequent colds and the flu or you live in a climate that forces you to close your windows and doors, you may need to consider getting a humidifier. Having a humidifier will improve the overall quality of your life and save you money in the long run. Humidifiers add moisture to the air to help you breathe better, have fewer colds and flu, and even prevent your home from damage.

At R.A. Dobson we have served residents of Northern Virginia for over 40 years, providing excellent humidifier installations in Northern Virginia. We install humidifiers that we trust and use in our own homes to keep our family’s nasal passages and skin from becoming dry and painful. Have peace of mind that you’ll be taken care of by our service technicians that have received the highest level of training. Here are some reasons why you should get a humidifier in your home as soon as you can:

Measuring Humidity levels

Humidity is measured by the amount of water vapor present in the air. As the temperature fluctuates, the air’s capacity to hold water changes. Having the right level of moisture in your home at all times will ensure that your home HVAC systems are working efficiently for you. While the humidity level in your home should be between 35% and 55%, with the 40-50% range as ideal, you can measure the level of humidity more effectively with a hygrometer.

Symptoms of Low Humidity

If you and your family are experiencing a lot of colds, the flu, have frequent nosebleeds, or dry skin, then that means there is a low level of moisture in the air in your home. This happens frequently during the winter months, when there is not as much natural moisture in the air. Humidifiers will help add moisture to the air in order to prevent these health issues from occurring regularly.  

Damages to Your Home

Are you noticing a lot of static electricity in your home? This may be a sign of low humidity in the air. Having too much static electricity in your home can damage your electronics. Also, if you notice damage to wood furniture, floorings, or peeling wallpaper this is a telltale sign of dry air. Dry air can cause wood to warp and create damage to your home. Having a humidifier will protect the wood within your home and save you money in the long run. Additionally, by having a humidifier in your home you will save on energy costs because the extra moisture in the air makes you feel warmer in the winter months.  

Get A Professional Humidifier Installation in Northern Virginia

It is important to have an ideal humidity level in your home to assure your family maintains good health throughout the year. Get your own home humidifier from our trusted, professional humidifier installation experts at R.A. Dobson. We offer a one-year service warranty on humidifiers so you can have peace of mind. Our staff has been trained extensively to ensure you receive expert support that will help keep you and your family cozy and healthy in your own home.

Keep your home comfortable all year long with a humidifier installation. Contact us at 703-481-3700 to schedule an appointment or to receive a free estimate today.

Do you ever notice the paint on your walls drying out, dry air throughout your home, or even having frequent respiratory symptoms? Then a humidifier might be the solution to your problem. It can be a balancing act maintaining the proper humidity levels throughout your home. As low levels can cause a variety of health problems, high levels can also result in the production of mold and mildew in your living space. If you are experiencing any of these issues, then it may be time to consider having a humidifier professionally installed.

When searching for professional humidifier installations in Northern VA, R.A. Dobson specializes in customer-oriented heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services. Our team has decades of experience performing a variety of maintenance and installations. Having a humidifier installed in your home can have its benefits and here are some of the reasons why you may want to have a humidifier installed.

Reduction of Dry Air Circulation

Upon integrating a humidification system into your home, you will notice a significant reduction of dry air. The humidifier pumps small amounts of moisture into the home’s atmosphere resulting in a proper balance of humidity levels.

Preserve Home Interior

With a humidifier leveling out your home’s air, it prevents paint from chipping, excessive drying of hardwood floors, as well as improving the quality of the air for everyone in your home.

Save on Energy Expenses

During the winter months, it is difficult to keep your home warm, and with dry air it can be even more difficult to maintain. With higher levels of humidity, your home will actually feel warmer allowing you to keep the thermostat at a lower level while maintaining comfort. Over time, homeowners with humidifiers can see savings on their energy bill throughout each season.

Improved Personal Health

With exposure to constant dry air day-in and day-out, it can cause symptoms to arise such as a stuffy nose, cracked skin, asthma, and other common allergy-like symptoms. By introducing a humidifier into your home, it will reduce the frequency of these symptoms and even prevent them from occurring altogether.

Contact R.A. Dobson in Sterling, VA for Humidifier Repairs and Installations!

R.A. Dobson has been assisting homeowners around the Northern Virginia area with quality home humidifier installation and maintenance services. Our professionals can set you up with the proper model that works best for your home with choices including the latest Aprilaire, Carrier, and Honeywell humidification systems. If you believe your home’s air is causing problems to you and or home, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (703) 481-3700!

Even though summer weather seemed to hang around a little longer this year, the Northern Virginia air is starting to cool off, and we’re starting to bundle up with jackets. Winter will be here before we know it, and although many people like the season for the beautiful snow and numerous holidays, others dread it for one reason: dry air.

Dry air can cause several complications to your health and comfort during winter, but a humidifier can reduce or prevent them! Humidifiers operate by pulling air from the surrounding room then saturates in with moisture. The humidifier then emits the now-moist air to fill the air of the room with moisture.

If you suffer when winter rolls around due to dry air, a humidifier may be the solution for you! Here are a few benefits to running a humidifier in winter:

• Soft, Smooth Skin: Dry air means dry skin. During winter, you may experience painful, cracked skin around our knuckles and sore cracked lips. You can rub lotion on dry hands and keep chap stick in your pocket for dry lips, but these are temporary solutions. Running a humidifier at home will help get rid of the culprit of your dry skin: dry air.
• Reduced Sinus Congestion: Winter’s dry air can be a nightmare for our sinuses. You might wake up with a dry mouth and throat and fear that you’re catching a cold. In fact, dry sinuses make you much more likely to catch viruses. Use a humidifier while you sleep to wake up with clear sinuses.
• Lower Heating Bill: The moist air your humidifier puts out will feel warmer than the surrounding dry air, meaning you may not have to crank up the heat as high. This will give you a lower heating bill and spare your wallet.
• Healthier Plants: Your house plants don’t wait for you to tip over a watering can and give them water—they pull water from the air themselves. And if the air in your home is very dry, it can harm the health of your plants, especially tropical plants who need increased humidity to thrive. A humidifier can fill the air with moisture, which your plants will draw in. This, of course, is no replacement for watering your plants regularly, but running a humidifier at home can give you a hand with keeping your leafy friends healthy.
• Quicker Healing: A humidifier can help you recover from a cold or the flue faster! The extra moisture from your humidifier will help open and cleanse your sinus passages and help you get over your illness faster.

Call R.A. Dobson for Humidifier Installation in Northern VA

R.A. Dobson has provided humidifier installation in Northern Virginia since 1975. Our heating, air conditioning, and plumbing technicians can help you choose from our wide selection of humidifier models and brands so you can combat the dry winter air. Our humidifier installation will have you feeling much healthier and more comfortable all winter long.

Don’t suffer through another dry winter. Call us at (703) 481-3700 for humidifier installation in Northern Virginia today!