Whole House Humidifier

[tec71]

Anyone had one these put in? Looking for ideas about cost and functionality as well as suggestions for people who'll do it well.

I'm also wondering if I need an air exchanger and how would I tell if so.

 

[scubapohl1]

I had one in my last two houses back in Iowa. They simply hooked to the furnace. Pretty simply concept. The hot air went through a metal screen that water flowed over and then circulated throughout the house.

Worked very well. It was easy to set it too high and get moisture on the windows. Humidity level was controlled by adjusting the flow of water via a humidity guage. In the summer, you bypassed the unit.

Cant help on cost as I had it installed when I built the houses. Havent had much need for one since I moved down here to Florida.

 

[brianhos]

They are only like $300 installed. Totally worth it. House seems warmer and everyone is less itchy in the winter.

 

[SC Cy]

I just got a small one at Bed Bath and Beyond. I spend most of my time with my face above it collecting beads of water while making strange noises.

 

[RustyClone]

Like the above poster said you should be able to get one installed for not much more than $300. If you know someone with a plasma cutter you can do it yourself if you are comfortable doing that kind of work. You'd need a saddle valve to tap into the cold water line..

 

[SeattleClone]

They are only like $300 installed. Totally worth it. House seems warmer and everyone is less itchy in the winter.

I might have to look into that, I've got bad static electricity build-up and I think that could help. I have a small one at the top of my stairs that helps a little, but I think a whole house one would do much better.

 

[hoopsnut1]

Aprilaire Model 600 works great for me......I heat about 4000 sguare feet including the basement.

 

[meohmycy]

I had a house built last year and had one included for an extra $325. Worth every penny IMO.

 

[Covenant Clone]

I would have Bell Brothers install it for you if you are interested. They are the best mechanical contractor in town. Cost depends on your the size and complexity of your system. We have a Carrier Infinity system and everything is controlled with the stat on the first floor so it was a little more. But expect to pay somewhere around the $300-$450 range installed. Well worth it, especially if you have hardwood flooring in your house. Consistent humidity levels will minimize expansion and contraction of your floors.

 

[Covenant Clone]

Anyone had one these put in? Looking for ideas about cost and functionality as well as suggestions for people who'll do it well.

I'm also wondering if I need an air exchanger and how would I tell if so.

Talk to the mechanical contractor about the air exchanger. It will depend on how tightly the house is insulated along with other factors. They will be able to tell you if it is worth it or not.

 

[jumbopackage]

I have one...it's probably 30 years old and works great still. It makes a big difference, IMO. Mine is all manual, so you have to sort of keep an eye on it, but it's not too much work, and it's well worth it.

It feels much more comfortable.

 

[Cyclone62]

I might have to look into that, I've got bad static electricity build-up and I think that could help. I have a small one at the top of my stairs that helps a little, but I think a whole house one would do much better.

You have static shock whenever you turn on a light switch too? I love scaring the crap outta myself in the morning doing that.

 

[Cydole]

Put one in a few years back. Love it. $300-400 installed sounds about right but I can't remember. I think I have an aprilaire but I'm not sure on that either. I would have them install it

 

[CycloneBax]

Put mine in 4 years ago. Cost was around $100. I didn't use a plasma cutter so my holes aren't so neat. I drilled a hole and used tin snips to cut the duct. Mine is manual so have to adjust slightly based on outdoor temp(how much furnace runs).

Definitely would recommend getting one even if you have to pay to install it.

 

[brianhos]

I might have to look into that, I've got bad static electricity build-up and I think that could help. I have a small one at the top of my stairs that helps a little, but I think a whole house one would do much better.

it will make an unbelievable difference.

 

[jumbopackage]

Put mine in 4 years ago. Cost was around $100. I didn't use a plasma cutter so my holes aren't so neat. I drilled a hole and used tin snips to cut the duct. Mine is manual so have to adjust slightly based on outdoor temp(how much furnace runs).

Definitely would recommend getting one even if you have to pay to install it.

It isn't so much how much the furnace runs, but the difference between the outside air temperature and the inside one, and the relative humidity between the two. 35% relative humidity at 70 degrees is a lot more than 35% relative humidity at 0. The extra moisture inside means that water can condense on the outside walls of the house and eventually create water damage, mold etc. Keeping the difference between the two from becoming too drastic is key.

 

[kingcy]

My 2 1/2 year olds hair sticks stright out when she is on the couch, I may have a slight static elect problem, have to chen that out.

 

[mg4cy]

Like CycloneBax, I put one in a few years ago. It cost $70-$80 from Sears, but I think they stopped selling them. Had to use tin snips to put a hole in the main inlet duct, and a hole in the main outlet duct near the A/C coil. It had a shutoff plate for the summer. It had a rotary foam wheel that turned as it soaked in water. The tough part was cleaning the foam wheel, removing the scale and lime, as its efficiency would decrease over time. It was easier to buy an new foam element every year. Depending on where you put the outlet, it can it cause your coil or other parts to corrode sooner than necessary? I don't know, but that is my concern. It did work great, but had manual adjustment, that you did have to lower, as the temp dropped outside, to prevent excess condensation.