What are you expecting from your humidifier? 35-40%RH is as high as you should set the humidifier during cold weather. Watch you windows for slight condensation low in the corners. Any dripping on the sills is a sign of excess moisture in the home. Wait until the outdoor dew points hang around 0^F for a week. The number of occupants and the air change rate determine the %RH you will end with. A +3,000 sqft. with an air change in 4-5 hours, <10^F outdoor dew points needs 2-4 lbs. of moisture per hour to maintain 68^F, 35-40%RH inside. Figure .5 lb. of moisture per hour from an occupant. Two occupants in the home 12 hours per day need a good humidifier function most of the time. For a humidifier to evaporate moisture, you need +500 ft of velocity flowing through the pad of the humidifier. By pass humidifiers with a fan on low does not get enough flow through the pad. Limiting the humdifier to the run time of the furnace heating also limits the humidifier.
I suggest a 4-6" duct fan connected to the humidifier for real humidification from a pad humidifier. Or a fan humidifier in the supply duct with the furnace fan on low when humidification is needed.
Keep up posted. You are on the right track with monitioring your humidifier to work well. High air flow, a wet pad, and adequate hours usually will get you all the moisture you need.
Regards TB
Bear Rules: Keep our home <50% RH summer, controls mites/mold and very comfortable.
Provide 60-100 cfm of fresh air when occupied to purge indoor pollutants and keep window dry during cold weather. T-stat setup/setback +8 hrs. saves energy
Use +Merv 10 air filter. -Don't forget the "Golden Rule"
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Originally Posted by 54regcab
