Re: Humidifier to reduce need for Heating

Fringe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>I recently read an article on MSN about increasing humidity to save on
>heating since the body can tolerate lower temperature better if humidity is
>higher.

Sounds like bad advice. Where did you find this article? It is true you can
turn down the thermostat a few degrees if the house air is more humid, but
it takes energy to evaporate water, and making the house air more humid with
a humidifier almost always costs more in heat energy than you save by turning
down the thermostat. A perfectly airtight house would be an exception, but
it wouldn't need a humidifier :-)

Is there any combination of air leakage and thermal conductance in which
humidification would save energy? If so, air-sealing would save more, or
a latent air-air heat exchanger...

>...there isn't a need to buy an especially fancy but efficient model or one
>that uses too much electricity. Any recommendations for a model suited for
>my purpose?

If you caulk and air-seal your house, the heating bill will decrease and
the indoor humidity will increase. Andersen says the normal activities
of a family of four evaporate 2 gallons of water per day into house air.

Nick