Whole-Home Humidity Control for Portland
Portland throws a curveball — dry air from your furnace all winter, then damp air creeping in every spring. We install whole-house humidifiers and dehumidifiers that hold your indoor humidity right at 40–50% automatically.
What Good Humidity Actually Looks Like
Target: 40–50% RH
This is the sweet spot. Mold can't take hold, your sinuses stay comfortable, and hardwood floors won't crack. ASHRAE Standard 55 backs this up — 40–60% RH is where most people feel best.
ASHRAE Standard 55 recommends 40–60% RH for optimal comfort
Below 30%: Too Dry
- • Dry skin and chapped lips
- • Static electricity zapping everything
- • Sinus and throat irritation
- • Cracked wood furniture and floors
Above 60%: Too Humid
- • Mold and mildew take over
- • Dust mites multiply fast
- • Musty, stale odors
- • Condensation on windows
Portland's Humidity Paradox
It rains eight months a year here, but your indoor air dries out every winter because furnaces and heat pumps strip moisture. Then spring hits and outdoor humidity pushes 70–90%, seeping into basements and crawlspaces. Whole-home systems handle both extremes — adding moisture in winter, pulling it out in the rainy months — all automatically.
Whole-Home Humidifier Options
Bypass Humidifiers
These tie directly into your furnace ductwork and use furnace heat to evaporate water. Most common choice — simple, reliable, and easy on the wallet.
- •No separate power supply needed
- •Low operating cost
- •Capacity: 6–12 gallons/day
$300–$600 installed
Fan-Powered Humidifiers
Built-in fan pushes air through the water panel independently — better distribution, higher output, and they work even when the furnace isn't running.
- •More even humidity distribution
- •Higher capacity options
- •Runs without furnace cycling
$500–$800 installed
Steam Humidifiers
Boils water to produce pure steam — the highest output option. Best for large homes or situations where you need precise, medical-grade humidity control.
- •Highest humidity output available
- •Pure steam — no mineral residue
- •Ideal for 3,000+ sq ft homes
$800–$1,200 installed
Whole-Home Dehumidifier Options
Ducted Whole-Home Units
These integrate right into your HVAC system, pulling moisture from every room continuously. Auto-drain means zero maintenance on your end.
- •70–130 pints/day capacity
- •Automatic drainage to floor drain
- •Integrated thermostat controls
- •Energy Star rated models
$1,200–$2,000 installed
Basement & Crawlspace Units
Standalone or installed units built specifically for below-grade spaces. If you have a damp Portland basement or crawlspace — and most of us do — this is where to start.
- •Targeted moisture removal
- •Continuous drain line options
- •Stops mold before it starts
- •Lower cost entry point
$400–$800 installed
How Portland's Climate Messes with Your Humidity
Winter: Your Furnace Dries You Out
November through April, your heating system runs constantly — and every cycle strips moisture from indoor air. Without a humidifier, humidity can drop below 20%. That means cracked lips, dry skin, static shocks, and wood floors that start to gap.
Heated Portland homes regularly drop below 20% RH without humidification — that's drier than the Sahara.
Spring & Fall: Rain Brings the Dampness
Portland averages 165 rainy days. Outdoor humidity regularly hits 80–90%, and that moisture works its way inside through foundations, windows, and crawlspaces. A dehumidifier keeps things comfortable and stops mold cold.
Spring in Portland often pushes 80–90% outdoor humidity — your home absorbs more moisture than you think.
Basements & Crawlspaces: The Trouble Spots
Most Portland homes sit over damp basements or crawlspaces thanks to our high water table and clay soil. These spaces need dedicated dehumidification to keep mold at bay and protect your indoor air quality upstairs.
Basement dehumidifiers often run year-round in Portland — our climate demands it.
What Balanced Humidity Does for Your Health
Fewer Respiratory Infections
At 40–50% RH, viruses and bacteria survive for shorter periods in the air.
No More Dry Skin & Cracked Lips
Proper moisture levels keep your skin hydrated and eyes from drying out.
Static Electricity Gone
Balanced humidity stops those annoying shocks and keeps dust from sticking to everything.
Better Sleep
No more waking up with a dry throat or stuffy nose — proper humidity makes a real difference.
Protects Wood & Instruments
Stable humidity prevents warping, cracking, and gaps in hardwood floors, furniture, and musical instruments.
Stops Mold in Its Tracks
Keeping humidity below 60% eliminates the conditions mold and mildew need to grow.
How We Install It (2–3 Hours)
Humidifiers: Tie Into Your Furnace Ductwork
We mount the humidifier on the supply duct near your furnace, run a water supply line, connect the drain, and wire it into your furnace controls so it runs automatically.
Dehumidifiers: Ducted or Standalone
Whole-home units connect to your HVAC return duct. Basement units get placed where the moisture is worst, with a condensate drain line running to your floor drain.
Smart Controls & Thermostat Integration
We set up humidity controls that work with your existing thermostat. The system reads indoor humidity and outdoor conditions, then adjusts automatically — no fiddling required.
Keeping Your System Running Right
Humidifier Maintenance
- •Annual cleaning during your tune-up
- •Pad replacement: $30–$50/year
- •Water panel swap when needed
- •Scale removal if you have hard water
Dehumidifier Maintenance
- •Clean or empty reservoir weekly
- •Clean coils every quarter
- •Check condensate drain for clogs
- •Annual tech inspection
Humidity Control FAQs
Wait — do I really need a humidifier in Portland? It rains constantly.
Yes, and this catches people off guard. It's wet outside, but your furnace or heat pump strips moisture from indoor air all winter. Without a humidifier, indoor humidity can drop below 20% — drier than most deserts. A whole-home humidifier adds that moisture back so your sinuses, skin, and wood floors stay healthy.
How do I know if my humidity is off?
Pick up a hygrometer — they're about $15 at any hardware store. You're aiming for 40–50% RH. Low humidity signs: dry skin, static shocks, cracking wood. High humidity signs: condensation on windows, musty smells, visible mold. We also check humidity levels during installation and set your controls to the right range.
What size unit do I need?
Humidifiers are rated in gallons per day (6–18 GPD for residential). Dehumidifiers go by pints per day (30–130 PPD). We size the unit based on your home's square footage, current humidity readings, and how tight your building envelope is. Getting the size wrong wastes energy or leaves you uncomfortable — we measure before we recommend.
Are whole-home systems worth it over portable units?
For most Portland homes, absolutely. Whole-home units provide even humidity throughout every room, run automatically, and you never have to refill tanks or empty buckets. Portable units only handle one room and need constant babysitting. The upfront cost is higher, but the convenience and coverage make it worthwhile.
What does all this cost?
Whole-home humidifiers: $300–$1,200 installed. Whole-home dehumidifiers: $1,200–$2,000 installed. Basement dehumidifiers: $400–$800 installed. Price depends on capacity and how complex the install is. Some systems qualify for Energy Trust of Oregon rebates — we'll let you know which ones.
Will this spike my energy bill?
Humidifiers barely use any electricity — bypass models use none at all. Dehumidifiers do draw power, but the trade-off is significant: balanced humidity often lets you lower your thermostat a degree or two while still feeling comfortable. Most homeowners see little to no net increase on their utility bills.