whole house humidifier - DIY Chatroom

mazzonetv · 10-01-2009, 05:57 PM

Hey all,

Before winter comes and I start waking up with a bloody nose, I could use some advice on adding a humidifier to my house. I have central air, but my heat is broken into 4 zones of baseboard heat - thus no forced hot air to install one of the more common whole house humidifiers.

There must be a standalone unit available somewhere, but I really can't seem to find one and the HVAC guys I have called are not familiar with anything. Each floor of my house is 1500 sq ft. No need to humidify the basement but the first and second floor need it desperately. So I am looking for something that I can locate centrally in the house that will handle about 3000 sq ft. Ideally I would like something with its own humidistat and something that I can hook up to copper or pex tubing so I don't have to worry about filling it up. Any suggestions????

Thank you,
Matt

beenthere · 10-02-2009, 07:11 AM

Check out Aprilaire 350, and 360 whole house humidifiers. They are stand alone units.

mazzonetv · 10-05-2009, 06:55 PM

Thank you for the suggestion. I was leaning towards something that didn't require a "pad" - looking at some of the steam humidifiers out there. Anyone ever hear of, or deal with, general aire?

Thanks!

Kool Rod · 10-05-2009, 09:07 PM

I've a friend with the same problem. He places a few drywall mud trays (they're narrow and deep) 1/4 full of water on top of the radiators. It apparently works for him.

mazzonetv · 10-06-2009, 02:27 PM

Thanks Kool - that would be a little tough with baseboard heat though

....I've seen it done with radiators, where the homeowner would use those cheap aluminum cooking pans. Besides, trays of water and children don't go well together around the house

63012753 · 10-06-2009, 11:44 PM

Last year we started heating with wood and do you want to talk about a dry house being we live in Wisconsin...WOW

Anyway we started with small individual humidifiers and ended up with three to try and add a litle humidity to the house. We ended up cleaning them once a month not to say all the trips to the sink of adding water.

Anyway we were looking for a stand alone until too and didn't find one so we went with the Aprilaire and wiried a relay so it could run on the furnace or "FAN ONLY" being we heat with wood.

We sold all the stand alone units and couldn't be happier now.

F150dad77 · 10-07-2009, 10:59 AM

TrueSTEAM™ Humidification Systems
TrueSTEAM™ takes the best features from current steam humidifiers with their efficiency, performance and decreased water consumption, and combines it with the ease of installation, reliability and value of flow-through humidifiers. TrueSTEAM is different from others because it operates independent of equipment operation. And, with its near 1:1 humidification delivery rate, TrueSTEAM delivers the right amount of humidification to keep your customers satisfied.

Available in 6, 9 and 12 gallon models
1:1 humidification delivery rate - operates independent of HVAC equipment
Mounts in minutes - requires only 1-3/4" cut into ductwork
Application flexibility - can be remotely mounted up to 20 feet from system
Uses up to 90% less water
5-Year Warranty

I would recommend you checking this link: http://www.forwardthinking.honeywell...ll/50_9692.pdf

beenthere · 10-07-2009, 01:02 PM

Truesteam.
They rend to be over rated. Too small for many home applications. Honeywell's definition of a average tightness house, and what is average, are 2 different things.
Most of the applications they are capable of handling. A standard flow through will handle the job as well.

TJ_in_IL · 10-07-2009, 01:17 PM

My understanding to the TruSteam is that it works without the heat being on. I.E.> If you have the fan circulating, and not needing heat, but very dry, the TruSteam will help. A flow through works on the passing of heated air over the pad, creating evaporation. The TruSteam is more efficient with the water, but no so efficient on power.

TJ

beenthere · 10-07-2009, 01:35 PM

You can take a flow through. Connect it to the hot water line. And humidify by running the fan also.

Not to push brand, but.
Aprilaire humidifiers(power, and bypass models) are rated at 70% duty cycle.
Honeywell Truesteam are rated at 100% duty cycle.

TJ_in_IL · 10-07-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beenthere

You can take a flow through. Connect it to the hot water line. And humidify by running the fan also.

Thought of that, but not enough flow to get the tankless unit to fire up.

TJ

beenthere · 10-07-2009, 02:47 PM

On a tankless, using the hot water line is a problem.

The Aprilaire 400 will also humidify with just running the fan. And does not need to use hot water.
Its humidification rate drops off a lot when just using the fan without heat. But, it will humidify. Won't raise the RH as high as a steamer will.

mazzonetv · 10-16-2009, 06:40 PM

found a unit made by a company called General aire. Not cheap but looks really good. Stand alone steam humidifier. I contacted Honeywell and they told me the Tru Steam had to be installed into duct work - not exactly what I am looking for so right now I have the general aire and I am continuing to look for other options. Not so easy to find online..

Thanks

Davidj0717 · 10-16-2009, 10:50 PM

Go to ikitchen.com and type in baseboard humidifier and see if this item solves your mystery cost effectivly