Has Anyone Installed a Whole House Humidier?

[matthewsmom]

Thanks so much to this wonderful BBB community. I have another question and am hoping to get some of you have had it done. I'm thinking about getting a whole house humidifier installed. Has anyone done this? If so, are you happy with it? We live in the DC Metro area and during the winters I have to have the humidifier on in every bedroom. So someone had mentioned about whole house humidifiers. I had never heard of such a thing and it seems like a good idea. Are there cons to it? I guess my initial thinking was that would there be a problem with mold then?

I would greatly appreciate any feedback!

Thanks.

[BillK]

We have one (a "Skuttle 55UD" http://www.skuttle.com/55ud.html ) and it's ok I guess. It's been installed since 1994 and we just had our ducts cleaned last year - there was no sign of any mold in the duct work. You do need to be diligent about checking the filter and changing it once a year (or more).

However - the one thing that makes me kind of crazy is the "sweat" we get on the lower part of the upper and lower panes of all our windows as soon as the weather gets cooler and the furnace is on. I literally have to open up the blinds (which are the big culprit I guess since we don't get it on the few windows that don't have blinds) on every window in the house and wipe all the moisture off the windows every couple of days or it gets nasty and moldy (as we found out the first year we were in the house). Now it's become a matter of fact kinda thing but it's still somewhat annoying - I wish there was a good solution other than keeping the blinds all the way open all the time.

[table4three]

Thanks for posting this. We moved into our new home this year and this is the first time we've ever had forced air heat. We previously had baseboard heating. IT is already getting super static-y and dry, so we've been entertaining the idea of getting a whole house humidifier. I'm interested to see what people have to say.

http://b2.lilypie.com/mkn7m5.png

[neeter]

We have had two. The first one was really old-fashioned - a big circular pad with a tray of water in the bottom. It was really gross, and our water is hard so it would get clogged up. Our heating company would come out twice a year to do a seasonal check and would complain about how nasty it was!

Finally had it replaced with a new type that doesn't require the tray of water. Sofar, so good!! We had it installed by our heating company. Let me know if you want our model number or the company we use (I'm in the DC metro area too).

We've never had problems with mold.

We installed a Honeywell one at our old house. We bought it and the necessary supplies at Home Depot or Lowes. We were VERY happy to have it. It didn't totally humidify the home all the time, but it sure made a difference! It was the kind that attaches to the furnaces, so it only ran when the heat was on. And it has a humidistat to set so that things don't get too damp. Anyway, no problems with it!

[KHF]

We have one, and I've really loved it. This is the second full year we've had it. We just have it serviced when we get our furnace serviced in the fall. They clean it, and do whatever else needs to be done to it.

Ours has adjustable levels of humidity on it. We were told that if we get condensation on the windows to turn it back one notch. So far that has worked for us and we've had no problems with condensation.

It has really helped both my husband and I with dryness during the winter.

Kirsten
DD Laurel - 8.22.2005

[Drag0nflygirl]

My husband insisted we have one instaled when we replaced our furnace 3 years ago. I thought he was crazy and it would be a total waste of money. The second it kicked in I was so impressed. You could tell the difference right away. The air seemed "softer" somehow. Ours is an Aprilair. You do have to switch out the filter once a year and I think a valve as well - no big deal. You can order the parts on the web. Often they come in two packs so you only have to order every other year. As far as the condensation issue I've never noticed that, probably because our windows are drafty and we seal them with plastic in the winter. There isn't any sitting water to get moldy. It drains right into our basement sink.

HTH,
Nancy

[DebbieJ]

We have one. Ours is also an Aprilaire and is attached to our furnace. We had BIL's friend come install it as a side job for like $400. It's a MUST with hardwood floors. We do have a little bit of condensation as Bill mentioned, but it's never really bothered me.

I think the cost is well worth the benefit.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/sty...onths-bfar.jpg

[caheinz]

DH installed ours last year. We definitely saw an improvement.... the only humidifier still in use is the one for white noise in DS's room.

Reminds me to bug DH again to see if he's switched it back on again or not for this winter....

[matthewsmom]

Thanks everyone for letting me know. I am definitely looking into installing one. I hope this isn't a dumb question. But does everyone have a furnace? Is it the same thing as the heater? Thanks once again.