Anyone use a Humidifier?

twopu · 12-26-05, 05:21

With winter upon us, the heater is on 24/7 drying up the air. My throat is always sore and my skin is dry. Do you guys use one and if so what can you recommend?

kgb · 12-27-05, 02:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by twopu

With winter upon us, the heater is on 24/7 drying up the air. My throat is always sore and my skin is dry. Do you guys use one and if so what can you recommend?

I use two room humidifiers. One in the living room and one in the bedroom. You can get a humidifier on your furnace, I have one but it is garbage. If you get one make sure you get a good one and not one of those rotating drum ones.
EDIT: And not only will you feel better but your house and everything in it will thank you too.

kompressornsc · 12-27-05, 02:55

I have a 4 gallon upstairs and a 3 gallon downstairs that both run 24/7. Only way I am comfortable-without them the humidity drops to around 20%. I do have a humidifier on my furnace, but the furnace guy disconnected it. Said that they need contatnt attention or are worthless and/or mold cannons.

If you're unsure if you need a humidifier, pick up a little thermometer/ humidity sensor thingy (I know there's an actual name for it but it's early) for about $20. If you're under 40% or so, you could probably use one. And also, just as in the summer, the more humidity, the warmer the air feels, so you can turn your heat back a little.

Gears · 12-27-05, 03:43

If you have forced air heat the only proper way to go is with a by-pass type humidifier.
This type doesn't have a revolving media pad. The operation is when your blower motor turns on a valve opens to let water trickle down a replaceable plate then into the drain.
I've never seen a problem with any mold built up on these. Replace the plate every other year.

kgb · 12-27-05, 03:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gears

If you have forced air heat the only proper way to go is with a by-pass type humidifier.
This type doesn't have a revolving media pad. The operation is when your blower motor turns on a valve opens to let water trickle down a replaceable plate then into the drain.
I've never seen a problem with any mold built up on these. Replace the plate every other year.

That is exactly what the HVAC inspector told me that I work with as well.

twopu · 12-27-05, 04:20

For now I'll probably get a room size model, because Christmas hit me pretty hard. Any suggestions?

I'll definitely look into a whole house humidifier for next year. How much and what brands should I be looking at. I found something at home depot for about $160 (DIY).

General Lee · 12-27-05, 04:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by kompressornsc

If you're unsure if you need a humidifier, pick up a little thermometer/ humidity sensor thingy (I know there's an actual name for it but it's early) for about $20. If you're under 40% or so, you could probably use one. And also, just as in the summer, the more humidity, the warmer the air feels, so you can turn your heat back a little.

I think its called a hygrometer.

I use a portable one in the bedroom, that I got from Target. It has a bulit in hygrometer that tells you the current room humidity and then you can set it to a desired humidity level. When the desired humidity level is reached it shuts off. Problem is, I don't think the hygrometer works on it. The reading never changes and the unit constantly runs. It definitely helps, with the dryness so I just let in run while I'm sleeping.

It was around 50.00

medic · 12-27-05, 05:25

costo has a whole house humidifier (large beast on casters) for sale, but I don't remeber the price
there a smaller humidifer that can do 750sq ft for $40 which is what we got since we just need it in the bedroom. sees to work okay and even though it's a cool mist, the room does feel warmer with it on.

Gears · 12-27-05, 06:13

Honeywell, Aprilaire and Bryant all are good by-pass humidifiers. I'm not sure what brands are available at Lowes or Home Depot.

a.k.a. Patrick · 12-27-05, 06:52

Talk about a dust magnet.....But well worth it. We run one of those cheapies but only have a small area to condition, they truely make a huge difference when Santa Ana winds drop humidity to low teens......

Dave N · 12-27-05, 08:23

After reading several posts about room humidifiers on a guitar forum, this is the general consensus:
- Holmes is a good brand (but Hunter is not).
- Evaporative (cool mist) humidifiers can put water minerals into the air along with the moisture, resulting in white dust buildup in your house, so warm mist (steam) humidifiers are preferred.
- The room size rating on the box is usually under-estimated (the humidifier won't cover as much area as the box states).

I bought a Holmes warm mist humidifier myself, and am happy with it. It keeps my living room at 40%, even when the furnace is distributing the air all around the house (1100 sq. feet). If it's really cold outside and the furnace is running a lot, then it will have a harder time keeping up, but overall it's done a good job. I had a cool mist humidifier for a while, but I like the warm mist better. The cool mist h. made a lot of noise because it had a fan, whereas the warm mist machine just makes a soft boiling sound.

atticdog · 12-27-05, 01:02

We install these and they work great
http://www.airconnectweb.com/model.php?id=200

"This humidifier will operate in the Heating system without a need for a heat call. The Steam Humidifier will operate and turn the Fan on independently of the Furnace.The Automatic Flush system will drain the humidifier every (12) twelve hours of operation. This is a preventative maintenance mode to help protect the homeowner from a lack of efficiency. The humidifier will completely empty itself and not refill until another call for Humidity. This mode insures that all Summer long, when the humidifier is not in operation the unit will not be full of water"
they are about $700 plus instillation