models of humidifier/de-humidifiers people use?

[longfinger]

Hi,

What are the particular models of room humidifiers/de-humidifiers that people use?

Are people using combo models, that humidify when the reading is less that a certain programmable set point, and then de-humidify when the reading is above a certain programmable set point? Or is the humidifier-only approach far more common?

In summer here, the natural reading of humidity can be around 60%, while in winter the indoor humidity reading can be as low as 30%, but usually stays around 40%.

Concerning the kinds of humidifiers...

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/Resea...ifierGuide.jsp

Any preferences?

It seems that de-humidifiers are more expensive and complicated than humidifiers.

[Jake deVilliers]

I have an old Kenmore dehumidifier, a new Sunbeam cool mist humidifier and a Forrest window air conditioner for my shop space.

The dehumidifier is great in the rainy fall - it keeps the room warm and dry; the humidifier is essential for those winters where we get really dry air pouring down from Alberta and the air conditioner controls the humidity in summer without roasting me.

[Square Bear]

i use this kenmore humidifier in the winter. it works GREAT, it's cheap to run - one filter lasted me all winter and it's energy efficient because it doesn't use heat. i track the humidity with a digital hygrometer, and so long as you fill it regularly it's stays very consistent (+/- 5%). Also, once you get it going it generally doesn't need to be filled more than once a day.

[Cody Sisk]

Some of the schools I do business with have problems with dryness/dampness in the portable buildings that house their instrument inventory. I have a Fluke humidity gauge and have done some studies on air quality with different types of humidifiers. I've found that the inexpensive warm mist humidifiers work best. The evaporating types and the cool mist types couldn't really keep up with the constant, 10% humidity heated air coming out of the vents in the winter. 2 or 3 warm mist humidifiers work very well in one portable classroom. They keep pumping out moisture no matter what. Also, the warm mist eliminates any chance of spreading germs.

I've recommended that they store their instruments in the school buildings that have climate control over the summer. If not, they would need a dehumidifier.

FYI, I do business in North Texas.

[longfinger]

Our air-conditioner, has done well as a de-humidifier on those excessively muggy days. (They don't happen often.)

I'll check out those simple room humidifiers for the dry winter days. The worst month is February.