How Do You Operate Your Humidifer?

[lighthouse33]

How do you operate your humidifer, cool mist or warm mist?  I got the Germ Guardian H3010 Digital Humidifer for Christmas.  In fact, the box just arrived yesterday.  It's been operating up in my bedroom on my table by the bed since 10:30 this morning and the humidity is still 39%.  I know, be patient.  I've just switched it to warm mist which the manual set would get the moisture into the air quicker.  I guess I'm shooting for 50 to 55% humidity.  Can tell it's making somewhat of a difference already because when I leave for the rest of the house I can feel the difference.

I also got the tranquileyes that I've seen people write about and are recommended by the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation. 

[Epson]

It doesn't work that way lighthouse.  You need a chart to show you what humidity is safe for what the outside temperature is.
If it is cold outside and the humidity is set to high on your humidifier, you can case damage to your house.  You can a chart by googling.

[Chico]

Lighthouse:

Epson is right. Have moisture damage on my ceiling from prior years overdoing it. My Dr. said  over 40 is good enough, not much over 50 because humidity can cause spores/fungus and similar things in the air to multiply. These can go into air vents and lungs.
So be careful.

Chico

[lighthouse33]

Thanks, Chico and Epson.  Looks like I will be doing some research.  We already have had mold problems in the summer due to high humidity that have had to been dealt with.

[lighthouse33]

I found a chart online.  The lowest setting on my unit is 50% so I guess I will have to keep an eye on it and if it goes above 40% I will have to turn it off.  I think our temperature is set to 71 upstairs right now.  And the online chart went to a temperature of 30 degrees.  I'm really not much of a scientist and not sure I understand everything.

[Linda196]

It sounds like the online chart may be metric, and 30^oC would be about 86^oF

[Epson]

You have to take into consideration the outside temp.  The colder it is outside the lower the humidity setting inside, regardless of the themostat setting on heat.

[Chico]

Epson:

Can you explain this? Don't understand why or how but know it is true.

Chico

[Epson]

If your humidity is set to high for the outside temp, you can get mold growing inside walls and you will need a ice defroster to see out of your windows.

Home Humidity Level Chart

Outside Temperature   Indoor Humidity Level
?F   ?C   Humidity %
-20   -30   15%
-10   -25   20%
  0   -20   25%
10   -10   30%
20   -5   35%
21+   0+   40%

[lighthouse33]

Thank you, Epson for the explanation.  Going to print it out and keep a copy for our recrods. 

Right now, it is 45F here and my humidifier is running at 33% humidity.  So at least it's not over the 40%.  And I did sleep so much better last night and napping this afternoon.  My dad told me last night that the two downstairs furnaces have humidifiers attached to them but the upstairs furnace where I sleep, does not have one, explaiining why it is drier up there.  Am currently waiting for the first bucket to empty out so we can clean it out and refill. 

Now if I can only figure out how to install my latest computer gadget, the Mandylion Labs Password Manager, another Christmas present.  Have the software installed, now I have to configure the cradle and the token plus enter my passwords.  All to be left for tomorrow when I  am fresh and can concentrate better.