Billbill84
Well-Known Member
Hi all. So my 2001 furnace was installed in 2001 when the house was built. We moved in last year and in winter the indoor RH was 17-20% which is obviously low. Since then I got a large pedestal humidifier and so far this year the RH stays between 28-32% (I'm aiming for 35-40% to combat the dry air crusty nose morning boogers and hardwood flooring gaps in seeing.
I do have a whole house humidifier on our furnace that the last overzealous owner used constantly as I can see condensation staining on the drywall in some spots, wood rot on casement window bottom sash rails.
I planned to use the WHH this year after I cleaned the line, changed filter ect.
BUT I'm not sure now that this house's HVAC system AND the fully finished basement is properly designed to accommodate a WHH.
My fear is:
1) Mold could be in the ducts and I don't want to reactivate it with moist air.
2) All my duct work in basement ceiling (drywalled) is uninsulated and there is leaks as with most ducts and I don't want to be putting moist air in a subfloor (probably mold up there too!)
3) Subfloor in main level living room is ridiculously loud and squeaky almost as if the plywood is soft. I looked at the bottom of the plywood from the one basement area that shows exposed subfloor bottom and I don't see any discoloration or signs of moisture. I pulled the carpet up in the corner and it's still white from paint splash, no discoloration. My realtor said it's likely a result of the dhawdy large heavy wood carved furniture they had in there and likely has nothing to do with humidity or the HVAC system.
I've read a lot on these WHH's and the general consensus is that the risks of issues outweighs the benefits from a whole house humidifier. Any thoughts on this? If I did try to use it I would just keep it at its lowest possible setting. Should I fire this thing up??
I do have a whole house humidifier on our furnace that the last overzealous owner used constantly as I can see condensation staining on the drywall in some spots, wood rot on casement window bottom sash rails.
I planned to use the WHH this year after I cleaned the line, changed filter ect.
BUT I'm not sure now that this house's HVAC system AND the fully finished basement is properly designed to accommodate a WHH.
My fear is:
1) Mold could be in the ducts and I don't want to reactivate it with moist air.
2) All my duct work in basement ceiling (drywalled) is uninsulated and there is leaks as with most ducts and I don't want to be putting moist air in a subfloor (probably mold up there too!)
3) Subfloor in main level living room is ridiculously loud and squeaky almost as if the plywood is soft. I looked at the bottom of the plywood from the one basement area that shows exposed subfloor bottom and I don't see any discoloration or signs of moisture. I pulled the carpet up in the corner and it's still white from paint splash, no discoloration. My realtor said it's likely a result of the dhawdy large heavy wood carved furniture they had in there and likely has nothing to do with humidity or the HVAC system.
I've read a lot on these WHH's and the general consensus is that the risks of issues outweighs the benefits from a whole house humidifier. Any thoughts on this? If I did try to use it I would just keep it at its lowest possible setting. Should I fire this thing up??