Another thread was hijacked, sorry MightyWhitey . We don't have a furnace, we use a pellet stove and a wood stove insert for all our heat. I have two whole house humidifiers running here (evaporative wick type). Each one touts humidifying +/- 2000 sq feet. My home is 1800 and I have to run both 24/7 to get just over 16% on my hygrometers. The humidity is likely lower, but 16 is the lowest that both my analog and digital will read.... I retired my large (3 gal) but worn out ultrasonic humidifier after moving here. It needed several replacement parts that were not cheap, and the jugs to fill the machine were awkward for me to handle so often. Between both new console units I am going through 4-6 gallons a day and still not reaching the recommended 30% humidity. Though its much better than the single digits last year with the old ultrasonic. More info here on previous info http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/threads/this-is-whats-its-all-about.7848/page-2
Its been a bad year for bugs and flu this year, somehow our family seemed to catch every one! I had sinus trouble last year and again this year. The morning headaches aren't as bad as last year, wish they were gone. Today I received tea tree oil in the mail, added it to the humidier (don't use this with ultrasonic it might ruin them). I hope its not a placebo affect from the aromatherapy, will let you know after I use it a few days. Thanks dear husband for putting up with the smell!
Tea Tree Oil is pretty wonderful stuff, we use that as well as Eucalyptus oil. For sinus issues I turn to: (I have also had zero luck increasing the humidity in the house. I did get a 1% increase when I had 4 Large pots of stock going on the stove.)
We have a single whole house humidifier. Wick type, goes through 6 gals per day at the lowest fan setting. We get, on average, about 25-30% humidity sustained.
Until just a few days ago, when the real cold hit, I was keeping the humidity up around 40%. With the cold snap, it started dropping pretty quick, and we've been hovering at 28-29 the last couple days. I keep a small stainless stock pot on the 30 that holds about a gallon, and go through about 3 gallons/day. Doesn't exactly look all spiffy, but I'm more concerned with keeping the level up than I am with aesthetics. YMMV
I have a kettle on the stove and we hang clothes in the basement....Stove is in basement. Sitting at 35%. WW...sounds like an OAK for your stoves may be in order.
Mine is temped in and sweating like a pig. I think I'll try some 4" insulation wrap for the aluminum flex. I hit the tube with the IR gun and at the wall, the tube is in the low 30's, but another foot closer to the stove, it jumped up to almost 60. Should help, but it's an issue to be aware of.
Awesome idea, though the pellet stove (majority of our heat) has an OAK. I have never seen it sweat, wrapped in insulation. Interesting to me considering the huge difference between the outside and inside temps here often. There was a time it was 100* difference (-20* out, 80*inside).
Love and use all of the above. I do salt water too, alot of times the alkalol zings me if sinuses are upset.
No still using my old one.. Spent alot over the holidays with all the kids, grandkids etc.. I do want that one I mentioned though.. How about you?
I was going to return the first one that was delivered broken, instead used electrical tape and I am using both at the same time
This time of year; I don't run the bathroom vent fans at all, I tend to cook a lot more soup and pasta (water boiling on regular stove), and I ran across a portable clothes hanging rack that I park near my stove to dry some clothes. My indoor humidity is running 25-28% in this cold stretch.
Might I ask? How many gallons is your humidifier and how many drops of essential oil do you add? Do you use an emulsifier?
I only use the oil on the stove, not in the humidifier. On the stove is about 1.5 gallons, and I try not to use more than 2 drops.
Curious, directions say do not place near heat source... I wonder if it affects the humidity or they are worried about the plastic tank melting. I have one of two console whole house humidifiers near the pellet stove, ~~4'. I still need more humidity....Bred tropical fish for many years so I never had to worry @ humidity. They are too hard for me to take care of now, (even there I had special hook ups/filters/hoses on rollers to make it easy but still became difficult) and I donated my entire hatchery before we moved anyway. Is it possible the water is being vaporized near the stove?
I was looking into getting one myself. Would you recommend the unit you are using ? If so, could you let me know what make and model ? Thanks
Morning.Hang damp towels around house.If you use clothes dryer,vent to inside of house.Pot of water on pellet stove with a wick hanging in airflow.Be sure to restrict wick so doesn't drip on floor--think sock with rubber band.
