Humidifying
Need for Humidity
The drying effects of home heating are constantly at
work in the winter. For the sake of comfort and health an
indoor humidity level between 30-50% is recommended.
As outdoor temperatures drop, humidity levels
indoors should be lowered. The humidity is right for you
when the room feels "comfortable". Signs of low humidity
are static electricity, a physically uncomfortable dry
feeling, plants that wither and die, and a cold feeling
even though the room temperature is relatively high.
Cleaning humidifiers
First and foremost, follow the manufacturer's
instructions to clean a humidifier. It is important to
clean the humidifier regularly to remove lime scale caused
by water minerals which collect on the belts, the water
reservoir and other parts that come in contact with the
water.
Regular use of a liquid water conditioner solution
will help to control odor and simplify cleaning. Some
units have dispensers which store and then dispense the
solution directly into the reservoir water.
As air passes through the pad, some particles of dirt
are trapped; also, the pad may become heavy with hard
water particles which collect on the fibers of the pad as
the water evaporates. Even if the interior liner and other
functional parts are made of non-corrosive materials, rust
can result from iron in the water.
The pad, liner and other interior parts need to be
cleaned frequently. Be careful when putting parts back
together so no malfunction will occur. Some humidifiers
have drain outlets--others have to be operated until all
the water is removed before cleaning.
Cleaning the humidifier outdoors or in the basement
with the use of a hose may make it unnecessary to take the
pad off the holder, but there is the possibility that
water may get into the motor or controls.
Plastic parts may be damaged if hot water is used to
fill the tank.
Pads may wear out or become ineffective. Once-a-year
replacement may be warranted.
Between operations, the unit should not be stored or
left for long periods with water in it. Undesirable odors
from the growth of fungus and bacteria may develop.
Dehumidifying - General Information
If you frequently smell musty odors or feel damp spots
on the floors or walls of your basement, laundry room, or
storage area during warm, humid weather, you need a
dehumidifier.
The recommended humidity level inside your home during
the summer is around 40-50%, and very humid conditions
over an extended period can leave you uncomfortable and
adversely affect your home. Musty smells, peeling wall
paper, warped wood, rusting tools, blistered paint and
moisture dripping from pipes are signs of excessive
humidity. These conditions are most common during spring
and summer.
Dehumidifiers remove excess humidity by drawing moist
room air over cold refrigerated coils. The moisture in the
air condenses into droplets as it passes over the cold
surfaces in the dehumidifier and into a container. "Dried"
air then returns to the room at approximately its original
temperature. For best results, the unit should be located
in an area closed to outdoor air and where air movement in
and out of the unit is not restricted.