We have a General Power Humidifier and humidistat on our furnance. As of now we have our humidistat on 15. I know we have too much humidity, but I don't know how to set the humidistat on a higher amount and not get the water on our sills. Are we doing the right thing? If we keep the humidistat on 15, we seem to have less water.
2007-02-16 22:03:37 · 6 answers · asked by mcompeau881@sbcglobal.net 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
OK. You have to make some choices. You have the humidifier because you want your air to be more moist (less dry) so it is comforatble to breathe, and also so that wood things (furniture, etc.) in your house won't crack and split. But, since the humidity level is comfortable to you, it is also high enough that when the moist, humid air from your home hits the cold glass of your windows, it creates condensation inside the window, and it drips onto your windowsills. The only answer is to go around and wipe the water off your windowsills on a regular basis, unless you want your air to be dry. The good news is, this doesn't happen when the weather gets warmer. And, no, there is nothing wrong with your windows. All windows do this. While wider glass spacing and gas filling help a little, this is a common situation, and there is no way of curing it with new windows.
2007-02-16 22:26:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are on the right track; the condensation appearing on the inside of your windows is a result of high relative humidity in your home.
While the Humidistat setting may aid you some controlling the source of excess humidity may be of greater service.
Do you have exhaust fans in your Bathrooms?
Do you use them?
Do they shut off directly after you turn off the light switch when leaving the restroom?
When you get out of a shower, you already can see the steam and condensation on the mirrors, tiles, porcelain and windows so you can see the heightened moisture but what may not come to the forefront of your mind is where that water you just toweled off is going.
All of this excess moisture has to (and will) leave your building one way or another. The fan is the preferred exit and should have capability to move enough air to be effective.
Your windows, being one of the weaker R-values on your exterior wall will tend to be the next "path of least resistance, hence the condensation.
Another option is to raise the temperature of the window surface, thus raising the "Dew Point" at the glass surface...
Personally i go for the ventilation because it is less expensive to run a fan for an extra 10 minutes.
2007-02-17 07:15:07 · answer #2 · answered by functionalanarchist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A rule of thumb: When the windows start to run, you have to much water in the air. About 35 to 40 percent for the winter months is about right. There should be drain holes, slits, in the outside frame work, to drain this moisture.
I've had to replace windows after a few years. On some homes due to neglect like this with wood windows and, aluminum windows still rot out the framework.
In my own home I have ceiling fans that are always going, reverse pulls the air up and around, it helps distribute the air and heat, also it keeps an air movement to keep the widows dry.
2007-02-17 06:39:28 · answer #3 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a dehumidifier and set your humidistat as low as possible. It is the water in the air of your house that is humidifiying on your windows you need to get rid of the humidity in your house.
2007-02-17 06:09:18 · answer #4 · answered by clever investor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just reset the numbers to about 35. It takes about 24 hours for the humidifier to adjust. If you still have water, reset at a higher number
2007-02-23 00:05:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dehumidify. you dont want to humidify it.
2007-02-17 06:06:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋