Furnace Group Buy!

[Sam @ Axis Heating]

Originally Posted by deborachie

Sam ...
Our house is only 1500 square feet and this humidifier is good up to 3000 square feet. Axis didn't install it, it was installed by our furnace maintenance folk who have looked at it to make sure it's functioning properly and it is .. its just not humidifying the way we were hoping. I think by now, it should have improved somewhat, but sadly, no. The humidity hovers around 19-22%. It was up to 27 when the temp went up the other day and the humidity outside was high, but it's right back down in the high teens-low twenties again (but it's cold outside).
I've got it running wide 'open' and the furnace is set to 68 day and night to force the evaporation cycle to produce humidity.
I purchased a heat register humidifier from home depot ... it's good in our bedroom but that's all it's good for.
Anyway, this is a conundrum for us ... we're hoping things will improve.

Don't rely on what the manufacturer says about the sq.ft. Its always unrealistic. They base those numbers on ideal conditions at ideal temperatures, probably tested in warmer climate zones too.

First thing I noticed is the temperature you have the thermostat set at, 68 is quite low for flowthrough type humidifiers to function closer to spec. it normally needs 72 at the lowest.

Although the 1042 should do the trick (if installed properly) flowthrough humidifiers are never truly reliable, like good2know says, steam humidifier would guarantee a proper humidity rating at all times or close but are 3 to 4 times more expensive.

could you post a pic of the installation?

Changing the evaporator pad may help, sometimes the one that comes with the unit isn't as good as a replacement, taking the water from hot water pipe will help, but is not usually required. Doing this will require a copper line, not the plastic that is usually used.

If the unit is installed off level, the water may not soak the pad properly.

Solid bypass pipe may help. But make sure when it turns on that lots of water comes our of the nozzle in the humidifier.

[Sam @ Axis Heating]

The location of the bypass pipe is also important, it needs to be higher then the AC coil (on upflow gas furnaces) and installed so not to have anything run across it in the plenum (main duct). A very strong furnace filter may also harm the efficiency of the humidifier.

Also note, do not "clean" a humidifier pad, it has a special coating on it to help the evaporation process, washing it will make it useless.

[deborachie]

We are in the market for a new hot water tank - we don't want the tank-less models though. We are on well water and have a softener - we'd like to buy a reputable gas hot water tank instead of renting. I've read far too many complaints about the Bradford/White models so am open to suggestions for others especially if anyone reading this can help make suggestions based on personal experience.
Looking forward to what you all have to say ...