Proper Humidifier % OOPS

Got a new humidifier.  I can choose the % level I want it to make the
humidity.  Of course the higher I set it, the more water it uses.  And
it can use a lot!

Anyway what would be a good % level to set this sucker at?

Thanks

Duke

jw@eldorado.com wrote:

If you have too much humidiy in the house windows will fog up.
Also if humidity is too low you'll feel dolder in the house.
If you want to be scientific it involves indoor/outdoor temp.
dew point,etc.

typically you want your indoor space at 45-55% RH.  in the winter, when
you're actually using the humidifier, shoot for 45% and don't be
surprised if it's hard to achieve.  If you get condensation on the
insides of your windows turn it down until the condensation goes away.

good luck

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Wow!  I think that % would use many water refills of my humidifier. It
has two tanks each 3-5  (about 2'L X 2 1/2'H X 2"W) gallons big. The
water goes fast!

Duke

When I was growing up, we had NG space heaters. Granny would set a pot of
water on the top of the space heater (HOT) and let it simmer merrily.

Seemed to work okay.

And, if you needed a boiled newt for a snack...

HeyBub wrote the following:

Worked on the cast iron radiators too.


--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

Probably 60 to 70 per cent.  The ideal humidity for maintenance of
wood furniture (without cracking from dessication) is likely to differ
from the ideal level for the condition and comfort of human skin
(and that level varies with the age of the individual.)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

Humidity that high in a house that's in a cold winter climate, will
result
in some very bad things happening.   Most visibly, condensation around
windows.   Not so visibly, condensation around things like recessed
ceiling
lights, or spots in wall cavities where a bit of insulation is
missing.   Before
too long, don't be surprised to see water spots showing up in spots
like
ceiling paint near recessed lights next to an unheated attic, etc.

The poster should go to the Aprilaire company website and pull up the
manual for
one of their humidifiers.   I believe the one I have can't be set over
50%.  And I have
the 700, which has an external temp sensor that goes outside.   As the
temp declines
it automatically LOWERS the humidity inside.  When it's 15F outside,
it's down to
something like 25%, even if you have it set at 45%.

At -10f to zerof  I only get 25-35% with my April Air monitoring unit
or I condense, it works. This 50-70% idea of comfort is from idiots
who dont live in cold. Actualy even in summer 55% is the best , at 70%
Im dam sure get the AC on to dehumidify, even hospitals are nowhere
near 65-70% in winter. 65-70% is wet and mold grows at 70%.

On Fri, 7 Jan 2011 17:32:59 -0800 (PST), ransley

This is OP.

It is 30 outside here and i have humidifier set and holding at 30%.
Seems best for me.

Duke

60-70% is to much, only humidify to the point you see condensation
appear on the coldest part of your home, its usualy the windows, then
lower it till it just goes away. If you let condensation stay you will
develope mold, then rot. I only can add 10-15% or I get condensation.
What you can add varies as the outside temp goes up and down so you
cant just maintain it a constant setting. April Air has a humidifier
that has an outdoor thermostat that constantly monitors whats a
correct percentage. You set it once to to humidify just below when
condensation appears and thats it, its humidified safely.