The debate about the need (or lack of a need) for humidification in buildings rages on. I recently had an interesting conversation with an engineer who specializes in desiccant technology, in particular, dehumidification for operating rooms where the temperature is lowered to keep clinicians wearing sterile gowns comfortable. Since I am a proponent of balanced indoor-air hydration (humidification) to support patient healing and to decrease transmission of infectious bio-aerosols, our chat was somewhat tense.
The dislike of humidifiers, as far as I can tell, results from concerns about unhygienic equipment, condensation and mold growth in walls and ductwork, and excess energy consumption.