While I'm here, I was wondering if anyone has any information on a type of humidifier that I installed, have been using for several years, and have never seen before.
I purchased the unit from a low budget hardware store and noticed they no longer sell them. The unit is called ThermoMist and works as follows.
The unit injects a stream of water into the sytem above the A coil which is above the furnace. It senses the heat from the furnace blower turning on and then begins the water injection using one small water spayer which shoots into the ductwork. It shuts off similarly when it no longer detects the heat from the furnace.
I bought the thing because it was cheap and easy to install. But after using it for a couple of years, I noticed that if not set just right, it can soak the inside of the furnace with water and cause all sorts of residual filled water to run out the bottom of the furnace. Makes me wonder where all the dust the thing is wetting down is going? It also makes me wonder if the thing is causing any damage to the A coil which is directly under the water jet?
The thing does work. In winter I can definitely tell the difference in indoor air quality when the unit is not working or shut off. The dust piles up more when the unit is off. So it must be soaking the dust with water and then sending the heavy dust to the A coil to be washed out with the drain, right? Or is the dust just building up in the form of residues in the water and covering the A coil? I haven't seen the A coil in a couple of years, but the water trails when the thing malfunctions are all white with dried residue and dust.
Should I quit using this cheap and dirty humidifier? If so, are there any better alternatives to adding a humidifier than a drum roller? I can't live in this house without a humidifier in winter. I've tried it, and I don't like it.
Thanks. I've got a dust problem in this house which can be discovered from my post(s) in the Residential HVAC forum of this website. I probably have water quality issues as well. The water from the city supply when dried, leaves behind a bright white powderery film. I think there are too many chemicals in the water supply, at least in my neighborhood. Don't have a water filter or water softener, but am thinking of getting one. This hard water may add to the damage the humidifier is doing to the furnace/A coil if any from spraying above it.
Any thoughts? I also want to add a whole house air filter at the furnace. I guess Aprilaire is the best right now or is it Honeywell? Do these things work? Thanks agian.