Re: Humidifier to reduce need for Heating

"Sgt. Sausage" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> > Living in SOCAL, like I do, you may have a wall furnace, and if it has a
>  flat
> > top, then you can buy a bread loaf pan. Fill the pan with water, and when
>  the
> > heater is on the water evaporates.
>  
> > Improvise and save your cash for vacation.

> According to the laws of physics, it takes a certain amount
> of energy transfer to heat up the water and turn it into water
> vapor to increase the humidity levels. That heat energy is
> energy that's not going towards heating the air, and it
> certainly doesn't come "for free".

> I'd be willing to bet (a hunch -- no data to back it up)
> that any theoretical savings on the heating costs by
> having more humid air are cancelled out completely
> (and then some) by the extra energy required to turn
> the standing pan of water into water vapor.

It takes 1000 BTUs to vaporize a pound of water. And will take about
20 lbs of water a day to humidify a house depending on how tightly it
is sealed.

I believe that natural gas is still under $1.00 / 100,000 BTUs, so it
will cost $0.20 a day to humidify a home. Since I use an ultrasonic
humidifier, and have hard water, I need to buy demineralized water at
$0.35/gallon or about $0.90 a day. My total cost would be $1.10 /day.

> You might be more comfortable with a higher humidity,
> but I doubt you'd actually save any money on your
> heating bill. Nothing's free, and however small it may
> be, it costs something to turn that pan of water into
> water vapor.

The increased humidity allows me to drop the temperature by 2 degrees
Fahrenheit saving me 7% on heating. Since my heating season is 150
days and my heating costs are $1,600, I am saving $110 on heating for
a net cost of $165 making a net loss of $55. Of course, I gain comfort
for that cost and most of my cost is for water, others may actually
save money by humidifying their homes.

My home is 50 years old and about 2,000 square feet. My heating season
is 8,000 degree days.

-- 
    Ron