Originally Posted by
timsmsu
Hello,
I live in Missouri and have weather swings from 100 + with very high humidity to 0 with very dry air.
We live in a 2000 sq ft house built in 2006 with zoned heating and cooling. We have builders grade two 2 ton 13 seer units with 80% efficiency furnaces both single stage. (we have a basement with only one duct, but plan to finish it. Probably add 800 more sq ft.) I just installed fantech 230cf remote blowers on all baths that vent out of the house. It was probably overkill, but I wanted the steam out asap!
We are currently considering the purchase of a whole house dehumidifier and humidifier to cover both extremes. I am also interested in a thermostat that can control humidity (for both dehumidifier and humidifier) and temps.
Is it a good idea to have both since we only have single stage ac and heat? Last spring and summer we had a lot of humidity in the house even when the units ran. And this winter the house has been so dry and we have all hardwood floors. Also, what products do you recommend? I was thinking of going with Aprilaire dehumid and humid, but was considering a steam humidifier. I am also pondering adding and ERV to this system as well (hope that doesn't change any advice)
Any other thoughs or suggestions would be outstanding.
Best to only add equipment you need. This keeps things simple. Moisture dripping from windows during cold weather indicates the need for significant amounts of supplemental fresh air. Also 80% furnaces, bath fans, kitchen exhaust hoods, the water heater, and the clothes drier need significant amounts of outside air to function. Some whole house ventilating dehumidifiers provide adequate fresh make-up air for the exhaust appliance year around while controlling the summer humidity from adequate summer fresh air ventilation. This will also keep the windows dry. Many of our posters do not believe that you need provide fresh air to purge indoor pollutants during the humid times of the year. Pollutant tests demonstrates that homes need a fresh air change every 5-6 hours when the windows are closed and the home is occupied. Homes have much less natural fresh air infiltration during warm weather. Therefore, healthy homes need more mechanical fresh air during warm weather with closed windows. Fresh air ventilation during cool damp weather reqires supplemental dehumidification, sorry.
Humidifiers are needed only if the home is sparky dry during cold weather. Therefore having a humidifier and a HRV is usely a waste and has no real payback. Investigate the whole house ventilating dehus like Ultra-Aire, Honeywell, Rheem/Rudd, Goodman & etc. for year around filtered fresh, make-up air and humidity control. Some brands are better than others.
Regards TB
Last edited by teddy bear; 01-27-2010 at 11:45 AM.
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"