Arizona CJ
New Member
Short version: drum-style bypass Lobb Wa2 whole-house humidifier used to be adequate, but no longer is (humidity often under 20%). I can't figure out why it's no longer adequate.
The house is in a dry air climate (northern Arizona, altitude 6200, so often cold in winter, deep snow, etc.). The humidifier was installed by a contractor by the former owner. Worked great for the first couple of years I had it I had it (kept the humidity 25 to 30% during winter). . Then I cleaned it and replaced the filter (It's my mother's house, I didn't live close then, and I was clueless on humidifiers, including maintaining them).
After I replaced the filter (with the manufacturer's recommended replacement, a foam-type filter, which was NOT what was in there) it seemed to no longer work adequately; it no longer kept the air above 20%, even after I turned the humidistat all the way to on. I checked that it was rotating when the furnace blower is on, the filter was wet, water level high enough, bypass duct was blowing, etc. It all checked out.
The original filter it had when working looked to have been a wick-type, about an inch and a half thick. It was so encrusted with lime that I had to chisel it off the holder. The replacement foam was only about a quarter inch thick once stretched on. I guessed that was the problem, so I tried to find a wicking filter. The drum is about 7" diameter, so nothing fit. I cobbled together one from 2 five inch ones (there were only about an inch thick) clipped together, which worked better, but not ok.
The humidifier box is on the return duct of a gas-fired furnace, which uses room air. The house is moderately sealed, not tight, and is well-insulated. The house is mid-sized, wood-frame construction, 3600 sq ft, but has more cubic airspace than that indicates, due to high (up to 22ft) ceilings in large parts of it. I don't think the humidifier is undercapacity, as it used to work ok.
The only modifications I made to the humidifier was (well after the inadequacy problem began) was to install a wick in the pan overflow, so it drips a gallon or so a day into the drain line. I found that doing this stops almost all the lime buildup. I also put a damper on the bypass duct (also well after the inadequacy problem began) so there's no bypass airflow during summer AC season (when the humidifier isn't running).
I've checked with three different humidity meters, the problem is real. My mother (it's her house, I'm just trying to fix it) has sinus problems, and has issues when the humidity is under 20%, so I need to fix this. I could just replace the unit, but I'd rather not unless I know what the actual problem is (I'd hate to replace it and have the same problem!).
Does this humidifier need a different filter, or is the problem something else? Any advice would be appreciated.
The house is in a dry air climate (northern Arizona, altitude 6200, so often cold in winter, deep snow, etc.). The humidifier was installed by a contractor by the former owner. Worked great for the first couple of years I had it I had it (kept the humidity 25 to 30% during winter). . Then I cleaned it and replaced the filter (It's my mother's house, I didn't live close then, and I was clueless on humidifiers, including maintaining them).
After I replaced the filter (with the manufacturer's recommended replacement, a foam-type filter, which was NOT what was in there) it seemed to no longer work adequately; it no longer kept the air above 20%, even after I turned the humidistat all the way to on. I checked that it was rotating when the furnace blower is on, the filter was wet, water level high enough, bypass duct was blowing, etc. It all checked out.
The original filter it had when working looked to have been a wick-type, about an inch and a half thick. It was so encrusted with lime that I had to chisel it off the holder. The replacement foam was only about a quarter inch thick once stretched on. I guessed that was the problem, so I tried to find a wicking filter. The drum is about 7" diameter, so nothing fit. I cobbled together one from 2 five inch ones (there were only about an inch thick) clipped together, which worked better, but not ok.
The humidifier box is on the return duct of a gas-fired furnace, which uses room air. The house is moderately sealed, not tight, and is well-insulated. The house is mid-sized, wood-frame construction, 3600 sq ft, but has more cubic airspace than that indicates, due to high (up to 22ft) ceilings in large parts of it. I don't think the humidifier is undercapacity, as it used to work ok.
The only modifications I made to the humidifier was (well after the inadequacy problem began) was to install a wick in the pan overflow, so it drips a gallon or so a day into the drain line. I found that doing this stops almost all the lime buildup. I also put a damper on the bypass duct (also well after the inadequacy problem began) so there's no bypass airflow during summer AC season (when the humidifier isn't running).
I've checked with three different humidity meters, the problem is real. My mother (it's her house, I'm just trying to fix it) has sinus problems, and has issues when the humidity is under 20%, so I need to fix this. I could just replace the unit, but I'd rather not unless I know what the actual problem is (I'd hate to replace it and have the same problem!).
Does this humidifier need a different filter, or is the problem something else? Any advice would be appreciated.
