What is the recommended humidifier to use

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gixxer340

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Oct 11, 2014
13
Easton Ma
Since we are having a Jotul insert installed I am not going to be able to use a kettle on the top of the stove like we did when I was a kid but I assume that I will still want to get some moisture in the air with the wood heat.

Is there a preferred unit that people are using in my situation?

Thanks
Jeff
 
I would suggest you do some research before spending money on a portable humidifier. We have a Hunter unit and it operates fine. When I used it I had to put between one and two gallons of water in it every day, but I can't say I saw much improvement in our humidity levels. I have two humidity gauges in the house that I would monitor and I would not see much difference between running at and not running it. I assume their had to be more humidity in the air since I was adding all that water each day, but I couldn't feel the difference or record it. I think you need a system that connects directly to a forced air heating system to really affect indoor moisture levels. Good Luck.
 
If your insert has outside combustion air you shouldn't need to make up any humidity.

I think most of the dry air/wood stove thing is an old wives tale.

The stove itself really doesn't dry your air, however the combustion air needs to be rplaced and is done so by drawing in outside air which in cold weather is usually more dry than we are accustomed to.

In theory turning on a bath fan or a kitchen vent will dry out the air just as much as your wood stove.
 
A house that is uncomfortably dry in winter is one that is leaking too much outside air, flushing out the humidity produced by human activity inside the house. At the other end of the scale is a (presumably new) house that is so tight that it is too humid (and probably stuffy) inside, even in the dead of winter. That's a house that needs mechanical ventilation to flush out the humidity buildup in a controlled way. If you add too much humidity to the interior continuously in a leaky house, consider where that moisture is going - out through the walls and into the attic space, where it will contact cold surfaces, condense, and be absorbed into the wood, possibly leading to rot and mold. The best long-term solution to dry air is to do detailed air-sealing on the house, to reduce leakage.
 
This Essick one is the best I have used makes a nice table. There is the Essick Air EP9 800 and an older model Essick Air EP9 500 (one I have and less Expensive)

On low its very quiet and has 9 speeds.

Lowes Sells them.

http://www.amazon.com/Essick-Air-EP9-800-Pedestal-Style/dp/B00I9YFXSS/ref=dp_ob_title_home

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Check your local thrift stores or Goodwill stores if you are looking to save some money. They always have 2 or 3 of them.
I recently found a nice humidifier with a brand new wick/filter for $3.00. The wick alone is probably worth $20.
 
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