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01-29-14, 10:26 PM | #1 |
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Efficient (cheap) way of adding humidity?
So, my humidity is too low (26%). Any tips for upping it? I've been trying to dry clothes in the air, spray a water bottle on any fabric I can that can wick it, hold the shower water till it cools, keep pasta water for the steam, and that's just tonite.
Any thoughts on the subject?
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01-30-14, 12:52 AM | #2 | |
Supreme EcoRenovator
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Quote:
The furnace runs too much because the house is leaking heat badly. So the fix is to your low humidity is to reduce the heat leaks. In other words, stop all sources of air infiltration, and insulate, insulate, insulate. -AC
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The Following User Says Thank You to AC_Hacker For This Useful Post: | Ryland (02-04-14) |
03-20-14, 04:42 AM | #3 | |
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Quote:
The furnace does NOT remove humidity from the air. If it did, you see the condensate draining like when A/C use removes humidity. The water fountain idea will work, but at that point you are just reinventing the wheel as a modern humidifier will be easy to use, fill, efficient, etc. |
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03-20-14, 09:57 AM | #4 | |
Lex Parsimoniae
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Quote:
I'm the un-named guy that was so confused about this. Just because of discomfort to my lungs and dryness of my throat, from being in a room with over-heated air, I was fooled.. I was just going by my experience. What things feel like to me. What feels like very dry air coming out of a heat gun or hair dryer is actually not really dry air at all.?. I guess hot air hand dryers in the bath rooms at the mall are heating up the H2O on my hands and causing evaporation because the water in the heated air is warmer than the water on my hands..?.. So, breathing in hot air right from my ceramic space heater will not be breathing in dry air.. That's amazing. I've never noticed that effect.. Just wasn't paying attention.
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01-30-14, 08:19 AM | #5 |
Steve Hull
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Rob,
A low indoor winter humidity is a symptom of excess air infiltration. Outside air, at 32 F has a certain amount of moisture, but this humidity decreases rapidly as the air temp is increased. Great time to do a FLIR or other IR test by turning on all house exhaust fans. Just read AC's comment - we agree. Steve
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01-30-14, 09:33 AM | #6 |
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Robbmeex
A few years ago I had a fountain for my garden. I couldn't leave it outside for the winter. I got the idea it would look nice beside my indoor plants during the winter months. I would fill it with distilled water about every week while it was making a fashion statement in my living room. The distilled water was nessisary as a little splashing was occurring while it ran and tap (well water) would leave marks on the tile floor. I was so surprised to go through 5 gals. a week. I didn't keep a note on what the humidity values where but I'm sure it offered a fair output. Randen |
01-30-14, 09:36 AM | #7 |
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Assuming this is for a short term need, due to the unusually cold, dry weather this year, a couple of solutions come to mind.
For a small, store-bought unit, look for a cool mist, spinning disk impeller unit. These units put out lots of mist for their size, have no parts to replace, and are very energy efficient. Here's an example: http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-645-80...095319&sr=1-17 For a homebrew unit, an old aquarium or five gallon bucket with an oversized air pump and air stones in it will do basically the same thing. Adding an aquarium heater sized to the vessel will increase output at the cost of overall efficiency. Last edited by jeff5may; 01-30-14 at 09:40 AM.. |
01-30-14, 10:16 AM | #8 |
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Cheap solution: If you find a spot where you get alot of air infiltration, throw a damp towel over it. Might help humidify the air as it leaks in
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01-30-14, 12:54 PM | #9 |
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Rob;
I'm an hour south of you and having the same problem. A stock pot boiling on the stove will provide the humidity and the energy will heat the house. The only waste will be what leaks through the cracks. With or without the stock pot you will have to deal with the leaks separately. You have to provide the enthalpy of vaporization for the water. If you simply evaporate it you will have to add heat to maintain temperature. Considering the outdoor temperature, unless you have a high seer heat pump you won't be much worse off by running the stove. We generally boil water about five days a year. We run the dehumidifier about 20 days a year. This year is unusually dry - and cold. |
01-30-14, 02:28 PM | #10 |
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Went a bought a $15 unit. You guys are too right about the air infiltration though. Aahh, I hate to admit it, this thing LEAKS!
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