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From: res@ihlpl.UUCP (Rich Strebendt @ AT&T Information Systems - Indian Hill West; formerly)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Furnace Humidifiers
Message-ID: <635@ihlpl.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 22-Feb-86 21:12:50 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpl.635
Posted: Sat Feb 22 21:12:50 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 24-Feb-86 21:32:31 EST
References: <4@mit-prep.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 28

> Our plumber recommended against this on the grounds that the ducts
> would rust out with time, particularly at the joints where there is
> iron unprotected by the covering galvanization.
> He suggested pans of water on the grills instead.

I would take the plumber's advice on a heating/cooling problem about as
much as I would take his advice on a cardiac problem.  The house we are
living in has had an Aprilaire humitifier in it ever since it was built
20+ years ago.  I have seen NO problem of rust in the duct work despite
the fact that this is a ranch-style house with long runs of ductwork in
the crawlspace.  Perhaps the ducts will rust -- in a century or two.

> This is sufficient to keep the house above 50% relative humidity on
> the coldest, dryest days here in New England.  There is also no
> maintenance headache on the furnace humidifier.

Do you have a good growth of mold on your walls?  A relative humidity
level of 50% is 'WAY too high.  At around the freezing point outside
you should have about 30% relative humidity, with the desirable level
of humidity declining as the temperature declines.  It IS important to
maintain a decent humidity level in a house for comfort and the feeling
of warmth with the house at a reasonable temperature, but too much
humidity can be damaging.  If you are getting a fair amount of
condensate on you windows on a cold day you probably have the humidity
level too high.

					Rich Strebendt
					...!ihnp4!iwsl6!res