There Is White Powder All Over!
All winter long, it feels like an uphill battle to keep your home clean. You mop, dust, and vacuum, yet that pesky white powder keeps coming back. You might start wondering, Do I need a new furnace filter? Should I upgrade my filter?
If you’ve noticed white powder accumulating around your home, you’re not imagining things. This is a common issue that has only become widespread in recent years, and it comes from an often-overlooked source: small, portable humidifiers.
The Hidden Culprit: Ultrasonic Humidifiers
If you use a portable ultrasonic humidifier, it’s likely the root cause of the white powder in your home and HVAC system. Unlike whole-home humidifiers that integrate into your ductwork, ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency sound waves to vaporize water. However, this process also releases fine mineral particles into the air, leaving behind the powdery residue you see on your furniture, floors, and, most importantly, in your furnace filter.
We first discovered this issue the hard way when multiple customers experienced furnace overheating problems that left us puzzled. Normally, a furnace overheats when a clogged air filter prevents proper airflow. But in these cases, when our technicians checked the filters, they looked clean—except they were completely coated in a layer of white powder. This hidden buildup was blocking airflow just like a dirty, clogged filter would, causing the furnace to struggle.
How To Prevent White Powder Build-Up
To eliminate the problem, we recommend replacing ultrasonic humidifiers with a whole-home humidifier. These systems provide balanced humidity without the unwanted side effect of white powder. If a whole-home system isn’t an option, consider switching to an evaporative humidifier, which uses a heating element to boil and steam the water—without releasing mineral deposits into the air. However, if you choose to continue using an ultrasonic humidifier, we strongly recommend changing your furnace filter every two weeks while it’s in use to prevent buildup and airflow restrictions.
At Baumann & DeGroot, we’re always here to help keep your home comfortable and your system running efficiently. You can contact us at (616)396-4328 or schedule online.
