Water to Humidifier

Kyle

I had my furnace and humidifier replaced recently. Previously, the cold water line was running to the humidifier. the company changed it to the hot water line? I am not sure why but was thinking that I may be paying more in gas now because there is water continously running from the hot water heater, therefore the tank would need to be heated more often. Is there any validity to this theory? Should I have it switched back to the cold water line? What was the purpose for switching it to begin with?

Thanks for any and all replies!

hvac122

There is some debate about this but most think that hot water will humidify better than cold. I would leave as is.

homer12

Also, in winter when the humidifier is running all the heat energy from any hot water it uses is deposited within the envelope of your house, just like the warm furnace air. So it isn't a total waste as whatever extra energy is used in the water heater, the furnace will need to make incrementally less.

biggles

if you have a rotating wheel on he supply duct the hot water isn't going to make much difference,the humidifier tank holds the water at a fixed level off the float.the wheel turns and the furnace air pulls the water off and up into the space then the float bleeds water into the holding tank.when the humidifier is off the water sits with the furnace air running over it warmng it up...that hook-up you will never see on your bill but it is the difference of running hot water thru the float or cold water and does it mean anything with the build up of minerals?

homer12

You're probably correct that it doesn't make much diference in the humidification potential to use hot water in a drum type humidifier since the temp moderates as the water flows into the tank. It makes more of a difference with the flow-through type where the water goes directly to the media pad.

BTW, I have had both types and you couldn't give me another drum type humidifier. All the mineral buildup.... and the tank becomes a science project after a couple of months unless you clean it religiously. I actually tossed a functioning drum humidifier after I could take it no longer. Never again for me. The flow through type is so much cleaner and easier. You do use a bit more water but it's a small price to pay.

Kyle

I do know that my humidifier is "powered", and that the water goes in at the top and comes out at the bottom. Does this mean it is a flow through rather than a drum type?

wire_twister

I have a flow thru humidifier on my furnace, it is hooked to the hot water line, i did not see any change in my bill after hooking it up. I did insulate the line all the way to the unit, no point in using hot water if it is cold by the time it gets there.

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Jimmy

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homer12

Actually, either the drum type or flow through type can be "powered". That just means they use a self contained fan to force the air over the media pad. The bypass type uses the differential pressure across the main furnace blower to drive the air over the media pad. The powered type, beit drum or flowthrough requires only one cutout in the discharge side of the plenum. The bypass type requires a cutout on both sides and a duct to send the air back over the media pad.

Another clue to having a flow through type is a slow steady stream of water out the drain tube.

Kyle

I think I may have a flow through then...there is a steady stream of water that runs from the bottom of the humidifier to a drain. That is the reason of my initial concern with increased gas bills...

homer12

Flow throughs don't have drums and tanks, however. So if you have those it isn't a flow through. Flow throughs have flat rectangular media pads. Water enters the top and drains out the bottom in one pass.

Tank/drum types also have a drain tube but that is just in case the tank float valve sticks and the tank overfills. If you have a tank/drum unit and have water coming out there you have a problem.

Kyle

Thanks for the responses guys. I learned that I have a flow through humidifier, and that there shouldn't be any added energy expense for heating water that is continuosly sent down the drain frm the humidifier.

Thanks again