Can you guys recommend a good humidifier?

[air guitar]

I'd prefer a cool mist one. The humidity is already down to 35% in my home. And I don't even have the heat on yet.

[Mr Handman]

More than one brand/model humidifier will work for your house

Find a contractor to help you choose the best for your application, a HVAC contractor would be the most qualified person to help you decide which humidifier would work best for your application.

They can recommend and install the best unit for your home based on its size, age and construction.

 

 

 

my advice.............go with Aprilaire

[JasmineTea]

Kenmore

[thud105]

 

Originally posted by air guitar I'd prefer a cool mist one. The humidity is already down to 35% in my home. And I don't even have the heat on yet.

 

 

 

I'm using a Bionaire Model W-7 cool mist humidifier....it also has a air purifier built into it.

 

It holds 8 gallons of water which is plenty for my needs.

 

You do have to replace wicks on the cool mist types and you need to clean them more often than the hot-mist styles or you might get a swampy kinda smell.

 

If you just have one room where you keep your geetars (or whatever) any of them should do fine.

[air guitar]

Well I live in a small apartment. And it's hot because the central air has already been turned off. That's why I wanted a cool mist one.

[Andrewrg]

A small(soup) bowl of water with a small sponge in it,on or near your heat source will do the job as adequately as your expensive store bought thing.

[ksargent]

I have one from Sears which does a good job. You can see the different models online.

 

Ken

[Herb Hunter]

I've gone through several different humidifiers trying to find one with a somewhat consistent humidistat. I don't like having to constantly adjust the thing to keep the humidity at a constant level.

 

I monitor the humidity with several digital hygrometers and of the humidifiers I've tried the

Sears model 758.14417 has been the best. Several Sears models probably share the same humidistat.

 

Because I monitor the humidity carefully I can tell you that a bowl of water and a sponge only raises the humidity a few percentage points, not enough to raise the humidity to a safe level in the winter.

 

Note that cool mist units that don't use wicks deposit mineral dust on everything in the room.

 

I tried a unit that went in the HVAC unit to humidify the whole house but it never worked well enough to raise the humidity to my target of 47%. I'm sure there are better central units on the market but I only tried one and don't remember the brand name.

[JasmineTea]

Originally posted by Herb Hunter I tried a unit that went in the HVAC unit to humidify the whole house but it never worked well enough to raise the humidity to my target of 47%. I'm sure there are better central units on the market but I only tried one and don't remember the brand name.

I lived in an apartment that had an old AprilAir humidfier on the furnace that worked well. I was'nt monitoring the humidity but it was comfy.

[thud105]

 

Originally posted by air guitar Well I live in a small apartment. And it's hot because the central air has already been turned off. That's why I wanted a cool mist one.

 

 

 

 

Since space is an issue I'd say get a 4 gallon cool mist---on sale it'll probably cost $30-$40.... The need to replace the wicks depends a lot on how hard (crappy) your water supply is. You can also buy stuff to add to the water that helps prevent build-up and the swampy smell,etc.

 

Buy your replacement wicks in bulk #s on-line and you'll save big $ there also.

[Whalebot]

Ummmm, you can also keep em' in the case, your guitars that is. I've always found that a good hardshell is the best prevention that money can buy. I lost a Charvel acoustic electric to warping in college, very sad.

[thud105]

Originally posted by Whalebot Ummmm, you can also keep em' in the case, your guitars that is. I've always found that a good hardshell is the best prevention that money can buy. I lost a Charvel acoustic electric to warping in college, very sad.

 

 

If you use a Damp-It or a sponge in a baggy you can get by w/o a humidifier.

 

I've found that I need the extra humidity as much as my instruments do.

 

We get some bad winters in my location and the RH can reach 20%-30% while heating the house.

 

 

I can't live w/o a humidifier anymore!!!

[JasmineTea]

Aw man, I like frosty windows. One of the few things about winter that I DO like.

 

I live in a small apartment so I humidify the whole place. I have guitars everywhere but the bathroom.

[JasmineTea]

What about putting plastic on the outside?

 

That's a lot of ice..

[JasmineTea]

One homeowner explaned to me that putting plastic on the outside keeps the cold out.

Another said putting plastic on the inside keeps the heat in.

 

I rent, less hassle.

[thud105]

Originally posted by Tioga_Man But I don't think you want to bring your whole house up to 45% when it's the cold that had lowered the ambient RH. If you do, you will have serious condensation problems on all your windows. Last winter in upstate NY, we were down below 25%, which was where my analog meter stopped working. I tried to bring the whole house up and ...like I said, serious condensation and then freezing...then melting on the window sills. Not good.

 

 

I know what you are saying... But if I have my storm windows down I never get inside icing..... I guess each problem is unique and has to be dealt with on a case by case basis.

 

Its running the furnace and other heaters that drys the air in my house and I like to keep it 40%-50% RH for the good of EVERYTHING.