–or am I better off putting a portable in each room? We already have an Aprilaire humidifier (probably very old) connected to the furnace. Not having a hygrometer, I can’t tell if it really working, but the air is definitely too dry. I will replace it in a flash if a newer model or a different brand will help! Janet
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Replies
Definitely a benefit to have the whole house humidifier. I'd recommend the Honeywell HE360A. You should be able to purchase one for about $ 150.00.
Keep in mind that too much moisture can aggravate some people's allergies. Excessive moisture can really help dust mites multiply.
Our furnace should be replaced soon so I phoned the company that installed it and asked about replacing both furnace and humidifier.
I had decided against another evaporative unit because they only work when the furnace is cycled on. But, that's what the furnace guys are pushing. I asked about a steam-type and they were kind of negative; said it would cost about four times as much and not work any better.
Really?
Janet
They work. Of course, if you furnace is oversized it'll not run long enough, especially in the "shoulder" seasons, to humidify effectively.
I installed an Aprilaire unit on our furnace and rigged it to hot water. (Most Aprilaire's are speced to run on hot, but most other brands aren't.) Then I set it up so that when the humidistat calls it starts the fan motor along with the humidifier, so the unit can run even when the furnace doesn't. This works very well throughout the year.
Do also note that some very old Aprilaire units were a very passive design, with a sump and a pad that wicked up from the sump. No drain, so they limed up quickly. You want one of the newer units that trickles water down from the top and lets it exit the bottom. (Install a condensate pump if you don't have a convenient drain nearby.)