Cold winter weather often brings with it low humidity
levels. Such dry air problems only grow worse thanks to the naturally
dehumidifying effects of forced air heating systems. Fortunately, homeowners
can keep their air at an appropriate moisture level by investing in a furnace
humidifier.
However, like all HVAC appliances, furnace humidifiers can develop
problems as time goes on. In many cases, these problems prevent the humidifier
from accomplishing its given task. If you would like to learn more about the
sorts of things that can go wrong with a furnace humidifier, keep reading. This
article outlines three frequently issues to be aware of.
1. Mineral Build Up
Unless you happen to own a water softener, your home's water
supply likely contains a certain proportion of the minerals calcium and
magnesium. When these minerals are present in high enough quantities,
contractors refer to the water as hard water. Hard water doesn't pose any
serious health threats. Yet hard water can wreak havoc on various parts of your
plumbing system.
Hard water can also create problems for furnace humidifiers,
and steam humidifiers in particular. Steam humidifiers use electrical energy to
turn water into its gaseous form. The humidifier then uses a special spray
nozzle to inject this moisture into your furnace's air stream. For this reason,
steam humidifiers also go by the name of spray humidifiers.
Unfortunately, the spray nozzle used in a steam humidifier
can easily become clogged by hard water mineral deposits. These deposits
restrict and can even block flow altogether. Moreover, the deposits can prevent
the nozzle from distributing the steam as a fine mist. Instead, water will drop
from the tip of the nozzle, leading to potentially damaging leaks.
In general, you should avoid steam humidifiers if your water
supply contains more than 7 grains of hardness. Instead, select an evaporative
unit — either a drum or a flow-through humidifier. The pads inside of these
humidifiers will also develop mineral deposits over time, requiring their
eventual replacement. Yet the mineral buildup won't lead to any negative
effects concerning performance.
2. No Water Enters Humidifier
All types of furnace humidifiers require access to a water
supply. Furthermore, a furnace humidifier has to have the ability to control
the flow of water itself. Otherwise, you as a homeowner would have to regularly
check and restock the humidifier's water supply. Instead, the humidifier
contains a special humidistat capable of detecting the need for more humidity.
When the unit requires more water, the humidistat it sends a
signal to the humidifier's solenoid valve. The solenoid valve then opens up,
allowing more water to flow into the humidifier. If the solenoid valve goes
bad, however, the humidifier won't be able to receive additional water. Of
course, other factors can also cause a solenoid valve to remain perpetually
closed.
For instance, if your humidistat has stopped working, then
your humidifier will never recognize the need for more water. Consequently, the
solenoid valve won't open. Likewise, the issue could lie with the wiring used
to conduct electrical current to the solenoid valve. Contact a professional to
help determine the precise cause of the problem.
3. Unusual Smells
Those who own drum humidifiers must remain on guard against
another serious problem: bacterial growth. Unlike other types of humidifiers,
drum units contain a large supply of standing water. Over time, this reservoir
can provide a convenient breeding ground for dangerous species of
bacteria.
Odd smells make up of the first and most easily noticeable
first signs that you may have unwelcome micro-organisms growing in your
humidifier. In that case, you must have your humidifier cleaned and disinfected
as soon as possible. Otherwise, you risk subjecting yourself and your family to
the dangerous ailment known as humidifier fever.
Furnace humidifiers offer an excellent solution to the
problem of dry wintertime air. For more information about how to keep your
furnace humidifier running strong, contact
A-1
Finchum Heating.
