Why would I want to install a humidifier?
For many reasons:
- Since the air in your home is always trying to reach its saturation point, it will absorb water wherever it can; from the bodies of you and your children, your pets, your furniture and even your house plants. As a result your skin, throat and nasal passages dry out, leaving you more susceptible to physical discomfort, colds, flu and even infection. That’s why many doctors recommend humidifiers for allergy and asthma sufferers.
- Research shows that 30% – 60% relative humidity is ideal. Outside this range, bacteria, fungi, viruses and mites thrive and multiply, along with your risk of being adversely affected.
- Dry air causes dry, itchy, cracked skin.
- Dry air cracks expensive woodwork, floors, window trim and furnishings.
- Static electricity (caused by dry air) can damage computers, VCR’s and other electronic equipment, requiring expensive repair.
- Dry air causes gaps in window & door frames, letting cold outdoor air in; causing you to turn up the heat and increasing your heating bills! Controlled humiditiy from the GeneralAire® Elite Steam Humidifier allows you the luxury of dialing the thermostat back & reducing annual heating bills. For example, 68° at 40% relative humidity feels just as warm as 74° at 20% humidity. Setting your thermostat back by as little as three degrees can reduce annual heating bills by as much as 5%.
Will a humidifier harm my home?
A humidifier is a tool that helps you keep your home within the desired humidity level (somewhere between 40 – 60%, depending on your comfort factor). If you keep your humidity levels within that range you and your home will be fine.
Which humidifier best for me?
First, determine how much humidification your home needs (known as Gallons Per Day , or GPD). You can use the following calculation, or go to our
Humidity Calculator to determine GPD.
Calculate the Total Cubic Feet of Home
Total Home Square Footage
X Average Ceiling Height
Calculate the Load (lbs/hr)
Total Cubic Feet X Desired Condition Factor (Table Below)
X 1.05 For Each Fireplace
Calculate Gallons Per Day (GPD)
Gallons Per Day = Load (lbs/hr) X 2.88
Pounds of Moisture Per Cubic Foot
|
Indoor Air
Temp ˚F
|
Indoor RH%
35% 40% 45% 50%
|
|
68
|
0.00015
|
0.00018
|
0.00021
|
0.00024
|
|
70
|
0.00017
|
0.00020
|
0.00023
|
0.00026
|
|
72
|
0.00019
|
0.00022
|
0.00025
|
0.00028
|
Once you have calculated your gallons per day look for models that can process that amount of water / accommodate your size of home. Additionally, you might consider the number of HVAC systems your home has. Many people install a humidifier in each system. If you do that, you'll want to divide the final GPD in two to determine the size of each model you want to install. Then, you may have a preference between steam or vapor pad humidifiers. When in doubt, contact your local contractor for help.
How does a humidifier work?
There are different types of humidifiers:
The GeneralAire® Elite Steam Humidifier is an electrode humidifier. It produces steam for humidification by passing electric current through the water between metal electrodes located inside the steam generator cylinder.
GeneralAire® Legacy Humidifiers: A portion of the heated air from the furnace passes through a water-soaked VaporPad® where it absorbs additional moisture and then returns for distribution throughout your home. Water is metered into a patented Kineticflo® trough and dispersed uniformly across the VaporPad®. Unevaporated water drains from the bottom of the unit to eliminate mineral build-up.
GeneralAire® Elite Flow Through Humidifiers: Fan Powered Humidifiers that mount on your furnace distribution system. The integral fan pulls heated air from your furnace and draws that air across a highly evaporative Vapor Pad®. Humidity is then absorbed into your air and distributed into the home for improved comfort during those winter months.
How often do I need to change the vapor pad?
We recommend replacing your vapor pad at least once per year. Minerals build up on the vapor pad over time, affecting your pads wicking capabilities and your humidifier’s ability to produce the moisture your home needs.
Does my humidifier require other maintenance?
If you have installed an Elite Steam Humidifier, you may occasionally need to replace the cylinder. As water evaporates inside the cylinder, minerals are left behind. Much of these minerals are removed through the cylinder drain, however some remain; building up on the cylinder walls and electrodes. As lower portions of the electrodes accumulate a thick coating, the water level rises to expose clean electrode surface for maximum electric conductivity. Eventually mineral buildup creates a thick coating along the entire length of the electrodes and little electrical current is able to pass between them; reducing steam output. Your humidifier will display a "cylinder exhausted" code. This is the time to replace your cylinder.
