Low Temp Humidification

[wdc1160]

The new house has 6 zones. I don't spend my time in more than three zones a day. Half the of the day I work and don't spend my time in any of the zones.

When I arrive home I turn up the heat from 60 to 70 in zones 1,2,3. This plays hell with the humidity.
I have the a very capable humidifier, but I am afraid during the extraordinary low temps like now the condensation on the woodframed windows will destroy the surrounding wood work.


Interested in how others address the condensation on the windows problem? Us boiler guys should have it harder than most.

 

[Reggie Dunlap]

If you have window condensation at moderate temps it's probably an indication of too much moisture. At cold temps, below zero, you may have condensation even at low humidity levels. I'd buy a humidity measuring thingy or use a humidistat with your humidifier. Aim for around 40-50% relative humidity.

Hope this helps.

 

[wdc1160]

Covered it Reggie. I forgot to include it in my orginal post. I keep the house at 40% relative. But, I change the temp in the house to conserve energy. 60 by day. 70 by night.
The three zones that don't ever get above 60 act as dehumidifiers, because the colder air doens't hold much mosture when the warm wet air hits it. It just gathers on the rooms coldest spots like the windows.

Even so, even in the warmer three zones humidity gathering during downtime could be a problem -- likely is.

I only humidify the rooms I want to have heated. So I never purposely expose the colder rooms to moisture. I am sure they steal it from the warmer rooms.

 

[wdc1160]

I think a simpler way to say this is during real cold weather how do you prevent condensation ont he windows.

Thanks Bill

 

[pbvermont]

Insulate your windows and reduce the humidity.

 

[wdc1160]

How do you insulate a window??

I think I have humidity at the bare minimum 40%.

 

[Gagz]

Here in MN it has been code for quite sometime to have a heat recovery ventilator also know as an air exchanger . The exchanger control has a chart on it for outside temp and humidity setting for in the house .

Outside temp % humidity
55 F 50
32 45
15 35
-5 30
-20 25

 

[wdc1160]

are u telling me that when it gets down to -20 I should have my inside humidity at a relative 25%?

Right now its 15 and I have humidity of 39%. Am I violating MN law.

Hehe

 

[Gagz]

Not violating MN law...hehe . I was at -17 this morning and I checked the humidity in the house and it was at 27% . I had just a slight bit of moisture on the base of the windows that were shaded all night . This tells me that I have it set pretty good .

 

[pbvermont]

The shades were in effect "insulating" Gagz's windows.
Storm windows are another way to "insulate" windows.
The only "laws" you have to worry about violating, are the laws of physics.