Home Humidifiers.. Mine isn't doing the job

[cstreit]

I recently replaced our furnace humidifier with a new model because the old one just wasn't doing the job. This new one, rather than having a fan uses a vent from the hot-air plenum to push air through the wick and sends the humid air into the cold air return.

The problem, the humidity levels in the house still suck. Every morning we wake up with dry throats and sinuses. I bought a model that supposedly works for a 4000 sq. ft. house, and ours is like half that.

Needless to say I am pissed. The unit is working, checked it several times. Before I invest in a standalone unit for the upstairs sleeping area, any suggestions?

[svandamme]

over here we simply hang a thingie on the radiator, fill it up , and the radiator will evaporate the water in it... very low tech, very effective

[cstreit]

Forced air here, no radiators...

[azasadny]

Whatever you do, keep the moisture level at 40% or lower. Mold needs a humidity level above 40% to grow.

[Porsche virgin]

Originally posted by azasadny
Whatever you do, keep the moisture level at 40% or lower. Mold needs a humidity level above 40% to grow.

Interesting. I never heard that before. Do you have any documentation on that?
Thanks in advance.

[azasadny]

I found several references to this humidity level (for mold growth) while I was researching a vapor barrier for my crawlspace. These were legitimate scientific sources, not wackos. I'll try to find the links for you...

[Porsche virgin]

Thanks!

[azasadny]

Here's one of the links...


http://www.toolbase.org/Home-Building-Topics/Mold-Moisture/mold-residential-buildings

[Porsche virgin]

Thanks, Art. My wife is allergic to mold, so I'm trying to make our furnished basement as clean as possible.

[azasadny]

I skipped the carpet and painted all walls with Drylock, followed by Zinsser Perma-White anti-mold paint, then painted all walls ans floor. Nothing is in the basement that could be damaged by moisture and there isn't any moisture noticeable at all. I have two fdehumidifires running constantly and all humidity sources in the house (kitchen stove, showers, dryer) all exhaust out of the house. Keeping the moisture low and getting rid of things that mold will live on will help... Good luck!

[flatbutt]

Last winter my cello cracked due to dry air. I need to get a big azz room humidifier. What brands do youse guys recommend?

[RKDinOKC]

Mine uses a humadity sensor on the cold air return that opens a vent to bring the cold air thru the humidifier before going back into the furnace if the humidity is lower than the setpoint.

[flatbutt]

I heat with a pellet stove so no can do but thanks for playing!

[legion]

I've never had a whole-house humidifier on a furnace do anything noticeable. As far as I'm concerned, they are extra profit in the HVAC community.

I put one of these in my upstairs hallway. Problem solved.

https://www.menards.com/main/heating-cooling/humidifiers-accessories/humidifiers/aircare-reg-5-6-gallon-credenza-evaporative-humidifier/p-1444430071835-c-9507.htm?tid=8186867024447239140&ipos=10

[red-beard]

Can I just ship you guys some air?

[billybek]

What weighs more a pound of wet air or a pound of dry air?

Suggestion. Place the fan in the on mode and see if the humidifier will catch up to the desired conditions. Looked at your local weather and at 76% humidity at 67 deg F it might not be the lack of humidity causing your discomfort. Perhaps poor filtration or not enough fresh air in the home?
Maybe some allergens within the home?
I installed one of those UV lights in the return plenum of the furnace a couple of years ago. I honestly thought they were high price snake oil but installed it because I happened on one cheap at one of the wholesalers. I truly believe that we (family not the royal we) have been sick fewer days than before. Who knows maybe still snake oil....

[recycled sixtie]

I sleep in the basement and with no humidifier my guage in the small bedroom reads 70F and humidity of 60%. I find the humidity guage is essential since many years ago I had a free standing plug in humidifier pumping out the mist during the night in my bedroom. I had allergies and stuffiness and I figured the more humidity the better.

The net result was I got mold in the basement so I knew I was overdoing it. I did the mold removal myself(wore the mask, one piece suit etc) so since then I have not used a humidifier at all. Having said that I will be more aware of the humidity level in our cold winters with the forced air heating.

So a stand alone humidifier in a bedroom can be very effective and in my case was too effective!

[pavulon]

Maybe get some big plants. Where's baz when we need him?

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by legion

I've never had a whole-house humidifier on a furnace do anything noticeable. As far as I'm concerned, they are extra profit in the HVAC community.

Then you've never had one that was properly installed. I can wet the windows in my place when mine is on. Most don't use an "thermidistat" that senses outdoor temp and indoor humidity. They simply install a humidistat that the homeowner needs to set depending on outdoor temps and the run cycle of the furnace.

BTW for Flatbutt, doesn't your pellet stove have a duct system? I have seen some with ducting and an humidifier.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Then you've never had one that was properly installed. I can wet the windows in my place when mine is on. Most don't use an "thermidistat" that senses outdoor temp and indoor humidity. They simply install a humidistat that the homeowner needs to set depending on outdoor temps and the run cycle of the furnace.

BTW for Flatbutt, doesn't your pellet stove have a duct system? I have seen some with ducting and an humidifier.

I could do that but was opting for what I consider "simpler".