A malfunctioning humidifier can destroy your furnace and your health.
What?
Clean your humidifier.
When?
At the beginning and midpoint of the heating season.
Why?
Humidifiers are notorious for leaking on the heat exchanger, the most critical component of your furnace. This leaking causes rusting and, eventually, a hole in the heat exchanger. This can allow the furnace exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide, into your home's air supply -- not a good thing.
Secondly, stagnant water in a humidifier is a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause illnesses such as Legionnaires' disease.
How?
Humidifiers are prone to leakage because they can foul with mineral deposits. This can cause the supply valve to stick open or clog up the drum, pads, or mesh. The drain line (if there is one) can also become plugged.
Follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions. The goal is to dissolve the mineral deposits or replace parts that are beyond cleaning. Replacement parts are easy to find.
Next, you want to ensure that the humidifier responds to the humidistat (the dial where you set the humidity level). When there is a call for humidity, the drum should start to rotate or the valve should open.
Lastly, make sure the unit is not overflowing.
Tips
- Most humidifiers have a bypass duct damper. Be sure that the damper is open during the heating season and closed during the cooling season.
- Follow the water supply line from the humidifier back to the point where it connects to the plumbing. The connection is often made using a low-quality valve, which is prone to leakage. This is the valve you turn on at the beginning of the heating season and shut off at the end of the heating season. Make sure it's in good operating condition and doesn't leak.
- If you are getting condensation on your windows, your humidifier controls are set too high. You can't see it, but you're creating the same condensation inside your exterior walls. That's not good!
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