Whole home humidifier

[encorehunter]

I have 4 teapots on the wood burning stove. It works great as a humidifier, and was fairly inexpensive.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

What was the humidity level before and after, on average?

[HoneyBadger]

What was the humidity level before and after, on average?

Using a Kestrel 4200 (not really sure if this is an accurate enough tool, but it's what I had available), the humidity level in the center of the main floor of the house was 16% when I finished the installation and after running it continuously for an hour, it was up to 22%. That night, I had water collecting (condensation) around the window wells of my unfinished basement (something I hadn't seen before in that house). I installed it in November at the start of our second winter in that house and that year I had to make periodic adjustments to the humidistat to limit window well condensation.

I can't say that my testing was scientific and I didn't account for changing temperatures or weather outside, but I do know that the humidifier introduced a large amount of moisture into the air in our house. My skin stopped cracking, I stopped getting nosebleeds in my sleep, and our dog's dandruff pretty much stopped. I even had to wipe up the water that was collecting on the windows around the house a few times before I figured out that I was setting it way too high... oops! Sorry I don't have more complete data, but I didn't really need it.

I think I got $220 worth of humidifier. I wouldn't even begin to argue that its as good as some of the other systems out there (and it certainly was not very efficient), but it definitely worked.

[fitz19d]

Get a 300g+ aquarium. Entertainment and humidity!

[bryjcom]

I have a bypass that came with my house.. It does just fine.(Of course I keep my blower running all the time) I prefer the power humidifiers though, if there's enough space, but the by-passes do well enough.

Our houses aren't the International Space Station or the Space shuttle... Sometimes the simplest is good enough.

[bryjcom]

I have been wanting to install one of those steam humidifiers though... Haven't had the chance.. HighClass... You mentioned it needs a 240volt power source... If so, are you tying into the main panel? Are you getting an electrician in there or are you doing yourself?

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

You can run it off of 220 or 110. I prefer to have 220 @ 16.xx amps which puts approx 35 gallons in the air. I typically have a licensed electrician do it. The company I use is reasonable.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Dedicated circuit either way from the panel. With a shut off switch near by.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

I put this in my friends house this year. 4000 square feet, 95% hardwood, custom wood working through out the house.

It started at 30% relative humidity and 6 hours later it was at



No moisture on the Windows whatsoever. I wired an outdoor temperature sensor that will manage humidity based on temperature outside. His whole family had very irritable skin and sinuses. Within days they could see a huge difference.

Here's a guide to follow based on outdoor temp and indoor humidity set points.



Obviously I recommend and outdoor sensor.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Sorry for another post, but I don't want to edit. I recommend the steam because it has a canister instead of a pad. Those pads break down and when they dry out they put dust into the air. Which is opposite of indoor air quality. Pads should be replaced right before heating season, and removed before cooling season or that dust will get into your duct work, lungs and etc.