Help with choosing humidifier

[adadunts]

I recently upgraded my hvac system to Carrier 25HPA heat pump paired with inside unit Carrier FV4BNF002.
I’m looking for in-house humidifier, the Aprilaire model 500A (my house is about 1500 Sq. F.) seems to be compatible with heat pump systems but it says the hot water is required for heat pump applications. It also says its water feed rate is 3 gallons per hour; that is 72 gallons per day. My water heater (only 50 Gallons) will have to work hard to supply that much hot water every day, and most of it will be wasted, and my electric bill will go up.
Does anyone know if there is any other bypass system that uses less water?
If I need to go with other type of humidifiers, what would be most energy efficient one for heat pumps systems, while minimizing the effects of mold build up, rust, white powder, etc.
Thank you very much.

[grumpy20716]

look at the Honeywell TRU-STEAM humidifier so for it looks like a great product and can be used in many applications

[adadunts]

Thank you for the reply, I will look into them

[woody19]

look at the Honeywell TRU-STEAM humidifier so for it looks like a great product and can be used in many applications

These are very nice humidifiers. We have sold many already and everyone seems well pleased. One word of caustion though, the 6 gal.model can only be remotely mounted up to 15 feet (with tubing insulated) or 5 feet uninsulated tubing and not 20 feet as was first specked. Just because is says 6 gals.,or whatever, doesn't mean it will be on all day and night so don't think you will be using that much water.

[adadunts]

What do you guys think about Pulsed Flow-Through Humidifier from Desert Spring Products
http://desertspringproducts.com/desertspring/humidifiers_pulsed.asp

They claim that the water Efficiency is almost 100%, its evaporative capacity is 2.2 litres/hour, 14.0 Gallons per Day. It seems to be energy efficient.
Any ideas? Thanks

[2nu2no]

What do you guys think about Pulsed Flow-Through Humidifier from Desert Spring Products
http://desertspringproducts.com/desertspring/humidifiers_pulsed.asp

They claim that the water Efficiency is almost 100%, its evaporative capacity is 2.2 litres/hour, 14.0 Gallons per Day. It seems to be energy efficient.
Any ideas? Thanks

spore farm. stick with steam

[adadunts]

I looked at Honeywell TrueSTEAM humidifiers, their specs say:
- HM512: 1440W at 120VAC at full load
- HM509: 1200W at 120VAC at full load
- HM506: 840W at 120VAC at full load

What do they mean by "full load" ?

In Baltimore the rate for electricity is around 12-13 cents for 1 KWH.
If humidifier runs 75% per day, it would make $60 / month.
Is that normal for steam type devices?

Thanks to everyone on this thread.

[referrob]

your humidifier should not have to run 75% of the day, that would mean you are heating/conditioning the air 18 hrs of each 24 hr period!! full load means power consumption with element and control in operation. true steam is an excellent system choice. i personally do not like bypass or steam pan style humidifiers due to the mess and mounting restrictions / limitations.

[beenthere]

I looked at Honeywell TrueSTEAM humidifiers, their specs say:
- HM512: 1440W at 120VAC at full load
- HM509: 1200W at 120VAC at full load
- HM506: 840W at 120VAC at full load

What do they mean by "full load" ?

In Baltimore the rate for electricity is around 12-13 cents for 1 KWH.
If humidifier runs 75% per day, it would make $60 / month.
Is that normal for steam type devices?

Thanks to everyone on this thread.

If a stream humidifier has to run 75% of the time. You either have too small of a humidifier, or, you need to fix the air leaks in your house.

[adadunts]

My understanding is that every time the heating kicks in, humidifier starts its operation (considering the RH is less than it's set for). If humidifier runs 50% per day, it would approximately use 12 KWH per day, that is around $45 per month.
Is that what I should expect or I'm missing something here?
Thanks again for great deal of help to everyone!

[beenthere]

A loose house, could need that much humidification.
Is your house drafty. If so. Fix your homes envolope first. And you'll save on heating, cooling, and humidification operating cost.

Tight houses need little to know humidification.

[Jopopsy]

A loose house, could need that much humidification.
Is your house drafty. If so. Fix your homes envolope first. And you'll save on heating, cooling, and humidification operating cost.

Tight houses need little to know humidification.

Its funny, but in my old house I always thought my humidity dropped b/c my 2 furnaces would run near all the time w/ all the cathedral ceilings I had. Way undersized I think - it would take me almost 2 hours to get the temperature to rise 4 degrees (downstairs level, upstairs would heat up quick) if it was in the 30s most mornings.

Anywho, back to the issue at hand. I had a Aprilaire 400 bypass system. It ran ALL the time if it was less then 45 degrees outside. And, the kicker is my humidity on the downstairs floor would be around 30%.

I must've had one helluva leaky house. Another one of the many reasons I'm happy I left it. So far my new house has not had a humidity drop below 48% - the heat hasn't been needed much as even when it was 37 degrees outside my house was still at 64.

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

48% humidity in your house during the winter would be a little swampy if you ask me.
All I want is 10-15% higher than the outdoor humidity.

[Jopopsy]

48% humidity in your house during the winter would be a little swampy if you ask me.
All I want is 10-15% higher than the outdoor humidity.

Well, I'm sure it will go down as the weather turns cooler. Its only been in the 30s at night twice so far, otherwise its been in the 60s or 70s during the day. I don't know what my winter operating humidity in my new house is (yet).

[DanW13]

Anywho, back to the issue at hand. I had a Aprilaire 400 bypass system. It ran ALL the time if it was less then 45 degrees outside. And, the kicker is my humidity on the downstairs floor would be around 30%.

I must've had one helluva leaky house. Another one of the many reasons I'm happy I left it. So far my new house has not had a humidity drop below 48% - the heat hasn't been needed much as even when it was 37 degrees outside my house was still at 64.[/QUOTE]

Since the season is still realatively warm during the day and your home when it hits in the 30's at night doesn'tmean your home will stay that warm inside during the winter as all the furnishings and the basement foudation hasn't had time to get cold as I am sure your home will not retain all the heat from the daytime temps:D My home is the same way as yours right now staying warm during the evening but once the cold air settles in my house will not be as warm either. I keep the RH in my home around 35% keeps thins fairly comfortable and not too humid considering the air still feels realitively dry, your nose will tell you if you need more or less RH in the home it works for me and is a good indicator to go by. I have the Aprilaire model 700A and works good as my home is pretty much the same size as your's, as long as your t-stat controls the humidifier it should only run when the need for more humidity is needed and not necessarily run when your furnace calls for heat, but only run when humidty is need per t-stat settings for RH you set it to.

[beenthere]

Most people have no idea how bad their house is as far as leakage.