Seeking info on a WHole House Humidifier for Steam Systems

Glenn Harrison_2

Bill's spot, but it is an option for your house:

http://www.aprilaire.com/index.php?znfAction=ProductDetails&category=5&item=350

Steve_7

Whole House Humdifier

Hello

I have a 120 year old home with Steam heating. Everything is fine thanks to this site.

I am looking for a whole house humdifier that is installed in the wall. We have grown tired of filling and refilling portable ones.

Anyone have any options to solve this issue?

Thanks in advance.

Unknown

Whole house humidifier for steam heated home

Hi,Steve. You can get a whole house humidifer, IF you have central air condiutioning. There are steam humidifiers that do not need a call for heat to work, but they need to be mounted in/on a duct. If you have a central AC system, a steam humidifier of the appropriate size will work fine. The ductwork must be carefully insulated and sealed, and a small electric or steam "re-heat" coil to temper the air on very cold days will increase comfort. In old houses, conventional AC ductwork may be downright impossible to install due to huge beams, plaster & lathe walls, or stone walls. "Hi-velocity" systems, using small, flexible dustwork have been used sucessfully in many applications, and a steam humidifer would work with those as well. That type of system is a bit more expensive to install, and not every contractor has the skills to install it. I hope you find this information useful.

Paul Fredricks_9

If I remember right, I have seen humidifiers that were mounted in a closet and vented through a wall into a central spot like a hallway. I don't remember if this was an old type or a steam humidifier, though I would imagine a steam unit would give you a plume of steam and possibly a build up of moisture in the area near it.

If there is accessible unfinished space below, how about a small duct system with blower. I envision a small blower, with single return, feeding a straight piece of ductwork with 3 to 4 take offs feeding registers in out of the way locations upstairs. Of course you'd have to be sure the humidifier didn't put out more moisture than the system could move.

Using an existing duct system would be best. Just thinking out loud.