Whole house humidifier recommendation

[Darell_n]

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Check out the manual:

https://www.cgfproducts.com/fck_uplo...%20REV%20B.pdf

The unit is supposed to be installed onto the return air plenum. The illustration is preferred even though it says it doesn't matter, as our air is so dry that the temperature differential matters (source: every furnace guy that looks at my furnace and shakes their head).

It doesn’t matter and many homes have no space to fit the unit on the return air duct. Place it where it fits the best.

[suntan]

It gets installed on the wrong return because most people don't understand the laws of thermodynamics.

Jesus it took 30 years just to convince installers to put vapour barrier on the warm side only.

[ExtraSlow]

Mines on air return for sure.

[Darell_n]

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It gets installed on the wrong return because most people don't understand the laws of thermodynamics.

I’m a professional, please enlighten me.

[suntan]

Cold air... Warm air, it's all the same!

I suppose with heat exchangers being the norm these days it doesn't matter... as long as you have a heat exchanger.

[ExtraSlow]

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Humidifier discusison update! Seriously considering Desert Spring. Have the Generalaire pictured above currently. Have 2/4 people in my household with respiratory issues that would be greatly reduced with higher humidity.

How tough is the install? I'm handy-ish, but want to know if there's tips or pitfalls.

Had an appointment near AMRE today, dropped in to pick up a desert spring. 1) they didn't have one in stock, and none on order. 2) the guy didn't reccomend it. Not because it's a bad unit, but because he says the current generalaire pad style filter should be able to pump out more humidity per day than the desert spring.

[revelations]

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Had an appointment near AMRE today, dropped in to pick up a desert spring. 1) they didn't have one in stock, and none on order. 2) the guy didn't reccomend it. Not because it's a bad unit, but because he says the current generalaire pad style filter should be able to pump out more humidity per day than the desert spring.

I dont buy that for a second. The drum unit I put into the main floor keeps the house at 35-40% during the coldest days, while the pad filter did 25% at best.

For the bedrooms, yes the secondary furnace is fine with pad filters.

[revelations]

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+3 for the Desert Spring. Works way better then our GerenalAir unit.



You can get it with the autoflush from Amre Supply for $323.

Done - will be arriving soon.

So tired of cleaning the drums and mechanism from buildup - also the stagnant water cannot be a good thing.

[ExtraSlow]

Good reminder, I wanted one of these last year, but this year with everyone being home more, and respiratory illnesses being a larger issue, seems crazy to wait.
is $270 before shipping right now. Seems like a great price, even if you can't do in-store pickup unless your local store has stock. Ordered.

[revelations]

Just installed mine - some notes:

- AMRE told me it did NOT come with the auto flush, so I bought an addon - but they were incorrect
- much better quality, less flimsy, than a regular drum humidifier
- auto cleaning is sweeeeeet, set mine to every 24 hours and 5 minutes.

[The_Penguin]

Yeah, maybe I should add an autoflush

[killramos]

Just activated mine for the first time. Last owners were pretty incredibly negligent. Soaked the filter in vinegar for an hour which made a difference.

Gonna look into this auto flush, sounds interesting.

While playing around I figured out I apparently have a 2 stage furnace, its not wired to my thermostat that way so that will be another project. The noise from my furnaces high stage legit bothers me at night (bedroom above furnace room) so this could really pay some dividends.

[revelations]

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Yeah, maybe I should add an autoflush

65$ for it.

Every drum humidifier should come with this - mine was 2x as bad as that end of last season. Dumped everything into a bath tub and an entire bottle of CLR and let it soak for a week.

[The_Rural_Juror]

Now I want one. Is the desert spring with auto flush the lolex? I need it to replace a general aire. Is it pretty much plug and play? Do I need tools? Or is my Ikea Allen wrench sufficient?

[ipeefreely]

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Just installed mine - some notes:

- AMRE told me it did NOT come with the auto flush, so I bought an addon - but they were incorrect
- much better quality, less flimsy, than a regular drum humidifier
- auto cleaning is sweeeeeet, set mine to every 24 hours and 5 minutes.

I got the older flush unit with mine. It clogged up so I got the new one with no pump. I can't see it breaking the same way as the old one.

With the new one I have it set to 1 minute since it drains under that. I can't see running it longer will help but I'd like to hear how it works for you.

I have to clean it twice a year (mid/end) since the drum collects that stuff and doesn't get cleaned with the intake water.

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Yeah, maybe I should add an autoflush

Should help! Those are some huge chunks! Surprised it still spins with that!

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Now I want one. Is the desert spring with auto flush the lolex? I need it to replace a general aire. Is it pretty much plug and play? Do I need tools? Or is my Ikea Allen wrench sufficient?

I had to make the opening smaller when I switched. The more tools you have the better!

[revelations]

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With the new one I have it set to 1 minute since it drains under that. I can't see running it longer will help but I'd like to hear how it works for you.

I have to clean it twice a year (mid/end) since the drum collects that stuff and doesn't get cleaned with the intake water.

I am starting to get deposits already (enough that you can feel it on the tray when running your finger inside) so I upped the flush to every 8 hours and 1 minute as it takes less than 1 min to drain like you said.

[Rocket1k78]

I didnt know this but i talked to my home inspector and he said in the winter time you're supposed to turn the humidity down as it gets colder.

[The_Rural_Juror]

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I didnt know this but i talked to my home inspector and he said in the winter time you're supposed to turn the humidity down as it gets colder.

You are but then the hardwood flooring guys will void your warranty. It's a scam.

[ExtraSlow]

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I didnt know this but i talked to my home inspector and he said in the winter time you're supposed to turn the humidity down as it gets colder.

"supposed to" is not quite right. Some people do, because they have issues with condensation. But higher humidity is very good for you, and helps reduce /prevent respiratory illness.

[The_Penguin]

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"supposed to" is not quite right. Some people do, because they have issues with condensation. But higher humidity is very good for you, and helps reduce /prevent respiratory illness.

Yes, it's all about condensation. You can get some serious window issues if you don't keep in in check.
Many humidistats have a chart saying recommended humidity settings based on outdoor temps.