What effect does the humidifier have on furnace filters when installed on the cold air return? Can you use an electrostatic filter?
384625
Master plumber came and installed my humidifier. I asked him the same question you have for me. He said that you will go through a few more filters a year, but not substantial. He also said that that is a good thing because the dirt the filter is catching would be in your house otherwise. The reason is now that you have a higher humidity % in your house the dirt sticks better to the filter and is cleaning your household air better. I agree after one day. The air just breathes clean. Hope this helps and I am satisfied with my unit.
384626
It's supposed to be installed in the supply, it's confusing until you read the instructions, they make it seem like it goes in the return but that's an optional location. The preferred install point is in the supply
384627
It will be installed tomorrow. I will then provide feedback based on how it works
7385
Hi Marlene, First I should point out this product is not really a filter. It's a wick that absorbs and holds moisture so the blower fan can push air through it and drive the water into the surrounding environment. How often it needs replacing depends upon how often the humidifier cycles and on the mineral content of your water. If you run your humidifier a lot and you are not using filtered water, then these wicks typically need replacing about every three months (at least). I use filtered water in my humidifier to reduce the mineral content but I still have to replace the wick every 5-6 months. It's pretty simple to determine when your wick is clogged with minerals because the humidifier will basically run non-stop as there will be no moisture in the wick therefore no moisture going into the air. These wicks are not really cleanable because they are too fragile. Once they get clogged with minerals (i.e. "lime") they need to be disposed of and replaced.
1480873
Air is pulled through the humidifier and into the plenum. I use the heated air to get more moisture in the house.
1050342
One more thing on the higher filtration filters. As other comments DEPENDING upon your furnace/AC, they MAY BE took thick for adequate air flow. My installer/yearly check up company said ONLY use LOWER filtration for times when the Air Conditioner is used as they CAN cause freeze up. On the high efficiency newer furnaces, they can do fine with higher FPR rating. So I use 4 thinner rating in the summer and the 7 in the winter.
865236
This is up to you, Mary, since the heater doesn't have a water tray to add moisture to the air. I use a humidifier myself, to put moisture into the air for the comfort of people and for the plants too. I think you need a humidifier, with this machine, in a residential living area, anyway. I've used a Vornado machine for years - I clean the washable filter at the beginning of the season and it works fine, here's a link to it, but they are many humidifiers with good feedback, that I see on Amazon, that are lower in price. http://www.amazon.com/Vornado-Evap40-4-Gallon-Evaporative-Humidifier/dp/B00O0WOO74/ref=sr_1_6?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1421788079&sr=1-6&keywords=vornado+humidifier&pebp=1421788166683&peasin=B00O0WOO74
1117447
Mine arrived with the air filters wrapped up and installed - so they need to be removed, unwrapped and re-installed to make it work. The humidifier filter was pre-installed and not wrapped up (ready to go, which I assume is OK since the manual does not mention needing to install it).
194743
No, not a bit. It doesn't have that ionic feature. I do use water from our reverse osmosis water filter system, but the humidifier is not the type to put out that dust. I believe that's more in an air purifier or air filter, not a humidifier.
1728220
I suspect the humidifier would run without the wick. Since it does come with one, you could experiment. Regardless of whether your water is pre-filtered, there are almost always minerals that will be left on the filter of a humidifier.
901320
Based on my experience, no. I just moved to a house w central air and gave away my window unit. It worked wonderfully and the filter seemed to clean better than past filters I used. If you find your unit works harder with this filter, I doubt it's caused by the filter. Good luck!
2066836
Yes...and No. I do not remember whether I got a filter when I purchased our humidifier. What you need is a "combination" filter and wick". This is a block type filter which goes inside the unit, under the motor and fan. It hangs on a small lip on the inside of the back and goes down into the water pool at the bottom. Water is 'wicked' up into the filter and air is drawn thru the filter by the fan. This permits distribution of humidity into the room AND filters the air as the process works. You might consider purchasing a small humidity gauge to place in your home so that you can monitor and adjust. I purchase Best Air Humidi-Wick, model CB41 on line. Sorry if I have gotten too long winded. Happy Holidays. Yes...and No. I do not remember whether I got a filter when I purchased our humidifier. What you need is a "combination" filter and wick". This is a block type filter which goes inside the unit, under the motor and fan. It hangs on a small lip on the inside of the back and goes down into the water pool at the bottom. Water is 'wicked' up into the filter and air is drawn thru the filter by the fan. This permits distribution of humidity into the room AND filters the air as the process works. You might consider purchasing a small humidity gauge to place in your home so that you... » Read More Yes...and No. I do not remember whether I got a filter when I purchased our humidifier. What you need is a "combination" filter and wick". This is a block type filter which goes inside the unit, under the motor and fan. It hangs on a small lip on the inside of the back and goes down into the water pool at the bottom. Water is 'wicked' up into the filter and air is drawn thru the filter by the fan. This permits distribution of humidity into the room AND filters the air as the process works. You might consider purchasing a small humidity gauge to place in your home so that you can monitor and adjust. I purchase Best Air Humidi-Wick, model CB41 on line. Sorry if I have gotten too long winded. Happy Holidays. « Show Less
2192276
I agree that this will not humidify 1800 sf but may have more to do with the type of return you have. I had it in a 1500 sf home at first that had one single return vent and it seemed to do well there. Our current home is 1700 downstairs but has a plenum return where it draws from multiple locations in the house and it doesn't seem to do as well here but still helps. We put it by the return in our room. That way our bedroom gets more than the rest of the house.
859182
Oliver, It doesn't blow "cold" air, just a LOT of air. This thing moves more air than my household Central Air system does. Using it for cooling, don't know if it will fit your situation. I bought it for a different reason though. We are remodeling a very old house. I have encased this in a very large steel frame box with air filters all around it. The filters catch the flying debris and don't let it get to the other rooms in the house.
245833
My humidifier has none of those problems, so you must have a defective unit. The only drawback I've experienced is when I fill the tank and put it back in the unit, and the bottom of the tank snags on the filter. I have to help the tank get into place past the filter, but everything works fine after that.
874520
Possible, it would depend on how much access you (room) have below the floor line of the current installation,or you could install it on the return duct work which would be be at the top of the heater. if you do it this way and have central AC be sure to shut all water connections to the humidifier before you use the AC, or you will cause ice to build up on the AC coil, not a good thing. I suggest you contact a professional for final installation, as I can not and have not seen how your heater is installed, good luck:
2059201
Not a problem. Happy to help :) I do absolutely love this humidifier tho. Must buy.
627744
Most gas furnaces have control wiring that is 24V AC, and the water valve on the humidifier takes the same 24V AC. I suggest hooking the humidifier in parallel with the gas valve. That way when the gas turns on the humidifier will operate. With it connected in parallel with the gas valve the humidifier will not operate when you are in Air Conditioning mode. Most people forget to turn off the humidifier in the summer and it runs when it should not. Also, most furnaces have one fan speed for winter operation, and one for summer operation. If you can figure out the relay for winter operation, you could hook in the humidifier there on the 24V AC relay side, but that may be difficult to figure out. Most gas furnaces have control wiring that is 24V AC, and the water valve on the humidifier takes the same 24V AC. I suggest hooking the humidifier in parallel with the gas valve. That way when the gas turns on the humidifier will operate. With it connected in parallel with the gas valve the humidifier will not operate when you are in Air Conditioning mode. Most people forget to turn off the humidifier in the summer and it runs when it should not. Also, most furnaces have one fan speed for winter operation, and one for summer operation. If you can figure out the relay for winter operation,... » Read More Most gas furnaces have control wiring that is 24V AC, and the water valve on the humidifier takes the same 24V AC. I suggest hooking the humidifier in parallel with the gas valve. That way when the gas turns on the humidifier will operate. With it connected in parallel with the gas valve the humidifier will not operate when you are in Air Conditioning mode. Most people forget to turn off the humidifier in the summer and it runs when it should not. Also, most furnaces have one fan speed for winter operation, and one for summer operation. If you can figure out the relay for winter operation, you could hook in the humidifier there on the 24V AC relay side, but that may be difficult to figure out. « Show Less
266956
Hi, there actually is a small removable/washable filter (Bio Silver Stone) inside the unit. I've been very happy with this humidifier.