Humidification in winter

[MillWeld]

We used to humidify our home with a Bemis Water Wheel console type humidifier which consisted of a porous non-woven filter which rotated on a drum picking up water in a reservoir and a fan to blow air to evaporate it. Since we are on well water we had to clean the reservoir and wash the filter about once a week and refill it. It worked great for many years, but since it was made of sheet metal it finally succumbed to rust and we had to replace it with a Holmes wick type unit. That was too bad because the wick-type humidifiers which replace the rotating drum type simply do not have the capacity of the filter type. The portion of the wick out of the water becomes hard with salt (from our softener) in about a week and stops humidification. Rinsing the wick is only partially effective as its wicking ability is apparently reduced. (So is turning it upside down.) Subsequent rinsing causes the wick to disintegrate. They are clearly made for mineral-free (city water) and do not hold up to reuse. I want to replace it but the only drum types available are made to fit in the main air duct limiting access for cleaning. I have toyed with making my own but I really don稚 want that project. The Bemis Water Wheel filters are still available because this was apparently a popular unit. Any ideas that don't involve replacing the wick so frequently?
Bob

 

[deerseeker001]

we have a sears model that have filters that lay in the bottom and have two containers that contain 2-3 gallons each works good.

 

[bandaidmd]

I had one of those mounted to the furnace ones and when it crapped out i just went to one of the stand alone units . With hot air heat its definatly something that's needed.

 

[newbury]

I drink lot's of tea and make soups, letting them simmer a long time. I keep the tea pot (basically just boiling water) on 24/7. Basically any cooking that put's heat and moisture into the air I try and do in the winter.

I also used to try and put up about 5 to 10 batches of beer during the winter.

 

[Looking4new]

I put a pot full of water on the wood stove and keep it full.

 

[rekees4300]

Any ideas that don't involve replacing the wick so frequently?

Have one installed on your furnace. No wicks, filters, carrying water, etc.

 

[s219]

We have an April Aire steam humidifier mounted to our HVAC ductwork (just downstream of the blower). I have no idea how the steam models perform with minerals in the water, but there are no mold/filter/clogging issues like you have with the wicking or drum types. It works amazingly well. It's got a replaceable heater element just like a hot water heater.

 

[CalG]

For all of you that "put a pot on the stove"

Have you got a hygrometer in the house?

That method does just about NOTHING. NO measurable change in the RH inside a "typical" home . (super tights have other issues)

All this warning As the kettle simmers on the wood stove now ;-)

But I do have a hygrometer hanging on the wall, Warm air is the surest humidifier.

 

[newbury]

That method does just about NOTHING. NO measurable change in the RH inside a "typical" home . (super tights have other issues)

All this warning As the kettle simmers on the wood stove now ;-)

But I do have a hygrometer hanging on the wall, Warm air is the surest humidifier.

How does going thru several gallons a day of water on the stove differ from any other method?
In my case the static goes away and the windows fog up. The rooms we don 't use we close the door and they get less humidity. We are heating the house anyways so I'm pretty sure the heat balances out.

 

[Loadstar]

For all of you that "put a pot on the stove"

Have you got a hygrometer in the house?

That method does just about NOTHING. NO measurable change in the RH inside a "typical" home . (super tights have other issues)

All this warning As the kettle simmers on the wood stove now ;-)

But I do have a hygrometer hanging on the wall, Warm air is the surest humidifier.

Huh? How is evaporating water on a stove different then out of an aprilair, a true steam, or the old squeaky water wheel? A hygrometer hanging on the wall is not really that acurate. Humidity can be different 10ft away. Play with a sling psychrometer for a little while.