Quick: Get Humidifer with New Furnace/AC - Yes or No? (heater, wallpaper)
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From personal experience, I know having gas heat almost demands the use of a humidifier.
But as you lamented to, it is a somewhat mechanical device/appliance- definition: it will fail at somepoint.
If you live where it gets cold in the winter, then you need a humidifyer because the colder it is, the dryer it is. If you live in the west and have warmer winters, you do not need one. Healthwise you need one (your mucous membranes need the humidity otherwise you will be stuffy all winter and your skin will be very dry - you will also be more vulnerable to catching viruses, etc.). Your wood furniture, wallpaper, wood floors, etc. all need to be in an environment that is not too try or too humid.
My parents in Michigan have one and it helps a lot with winter dryness.
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