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I'm just cracking up!

David Efflandt
David Efflandt Member Posts: 152
in THE MAIN WALL
I read about 40-60% comfort range somewhere, but I think it was regarding when you need a dehumidifier (or better air conditioner sizing) at or above high end of that range. You better have effective inside vapor barrier and insulation if in that range while heating.

Comments

  • jack_4
    jack_4 Member Posts: 43
    Humidity

    This Chill is taking the toll. The house humidity is now 5 - 10% and the steam heat is not helping.

    I buying a humidifer tonight or venting a little steam into the house tonight.

    What humidity should a home be, to be conmfortable?
  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928
    Depends on outside temp

    When really cold outside the relative humidity inside MUST drop as well. If too high water starts condensing on windows and other cool surfaces--even in "super-insulated" homes with multi-glazed windows and low air infiltration.

    Humidifier mfgr websites like April Air www.aprilair.com have tables showing suggested humidity levels at various outdoor temps.
  • jack_4
    jack_4 Member Posts: 43
    This morning

    This morning, 8-12 depending on the thermonoter I read.
  • JimGPE
    JimGPE Member Posts: 22
    Good answer!

    Take it from me - too-high humidity in the home can be a disaster.

    White siding, red lettering on the sheathing. Ran the humidity too high, froze moisture between the thermax and the siding. When the weather warmed, the ice melted, the red ink disolved, and my house looked like it was bleeding! Took a while to get the stains off....
  • Glenn Harrison
    Glenn Harrison Member Posts: 405
    General settings per Aprilaire Humidistat

    -20ºF outside = 15% humidity

    0ºF = 25%

    +20ºF = 35% (normal setting)

    If condensate start to form on windows it's time to turn down the humidity regardless of the outdoor temp.

    Hope this helps

    Glenn Harrison Residential Service Tech

    Althoff Industries Inc. Mechanical and Electrical Contractors

    Crystal Lake, Illinois
  • jack_4
    jack_4 Member Posts: 43
    Does this jive with ASHRAE?

    I'm having a disucssion with someone and used some of the logic discussed here and the numbers posted at the humidifier site. It makes sense to me.

    I'm told that this does not jive with recommendations at the ASHRAE site which recommends 60% RH.

    I can not get into the site as I am not a member, and the flat 60% RH does not make sense.

    Are any of you members of ASHRAE and do you support the 60% or the variable %RH based on outside temp.?
  • Paul Pollets
    Paul Pollets Member Posts: 3,662
    40%!!

    40% is more comfortable and easier to control. 60% is a little high. I set my system at 40% and there's no static and we breath easy. I use the Lifebreath HRV with TFP filtration and a duct mounted humidifier for indoor air quality.

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,908
    Humidity


    Winter is a good time to get to know "stack effect" and how it is responsible for your dry home.

    What you are experiencing is what happens when the warm air in your home rises and exits the home bringing any moiture it can grab with it.

    Then cold, dry air enters at the bottom and the process starts all over.

    While the humidifier will relieve the symptoms, it will not solve the problem.

    If you can find someone in your area to perform a blower door test you could find the leakage areas and start sealing them.

    Hope this helps!

    Mark H

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • JimGPE
    JimGPE Member Posts: 22
    Nope!

    No way you can maintain 60% relativity in a home in the winter time. You'd have Niagra falls coming off your window sills, and your walls would buldge with ice frozen at the point in the insulation where the material is at dewpoint!

    Even back in the old days of mainframe computer rooms that HAD to have 50% RH +/- .5%, the rooms HAD to be located in an interior space or we'd just tell them to forget about maintaining a minimum humidity. Any outside surface (wall or roof) put the end to any talk about 50% rh.

    I think you might be looking at a MAX Rh in the summer....
  • David Efflandt
    David Efflandt Member Posts: 152
    40-60% is for dehumidification

    I read about 40-60% comfort range somewhere, but I believe it was regarding when you need a dehumidifier (or better air conditioner sizing) at or above high end of that range. You better have effective inside vapor barrier and insulation if in that range while heating.
  • David Efflandt
    David Efflandt Member Posts: 152
    40-60% is for dehumidification

    I read about 40-60% humidity comfort range somewhere, but I believe it was regarding when you need a dehumidifier (or better air conditioner sizing) at or above high end of that range. You better have effective inside vapor barrier and insulation if in that range while heating.
  • David Efflandt
    David Efflandt Member Posts: 152
    40-60% is for dehumidification

    I read about 40-60% humidity comfort range somewhere, but I believe it was regarding when you need a dehumidifier (or better air conditioner sizing) at or above high end of that range, so you do not need as much cooling. You better have effective inside vapor barrier and insulation if in that range while heating.
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