Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler birdseye maple

During the winter...you might be surprised...at least in Cleveland...by just how dry it gets. I'm not that familiar with your climate, but I live in Maryland, and this past winter was especially brutal -- with regards to dry air. It was amazing how quickly it sucked the moisture out of the wood. I wouldn't be as concerned during the other seasons...but definitely...think about the winter months...especially if you use a fireplace of any kind in your home. That can really dry out the air.

i'll state the obvious. if you have hot air heat a whole house humidifier can be installed onto the duct work. more than one furnace, use two, but please don't go to depot to buy it, go to a heating supply store.
dan

No, I wouldn't be surprised how dry it gets in the winter (inside the house - because of forced air heating). However, I have a humidistat, and this winter it never dropped out of the comfort zone (roughly 35% to 50% humidity). When it does, I have a humidifier that I use. I didn't use it at all this winter.

35% to 50% humidity is dry for us, and our wooden doors do dry out and close properly. When my sister visits (she lives in Pleasanton, CA, one valley over from SF, and in a dry climate) she constantly whimpers about the humidity, even when it's in the comfort zone. Right now, inside, it is 68.7 degrees, 60% humidity, all windows closed. We have a relatively humid climate. UGH!

Ouch, with a brother that used to work in HVAC and myself having lived in two houses that formerly had working humidifiers piggy-backed onto furnaces - a word of caution - they're tough to keep from molding and they rust ductwork making it nearly impossible to clean.

This place I've got 3 runs of "tin" to replace due to that farking thing. Get a guitar humidor!

Bren R.

aprilaire are the best in my opinion, and no i don't sell them. no standing water, they drain into a condensate pump after cycling.
dan

The molding issue was my intuitive reflex when I saw those at home depot. The idea of having moist air in my HVAC system seemed like a mold/mildew nightmare. Use a guitar case humidifier...or a room humidifier...or both. Or better yet...build a room size humidor...then you can keep all your guitars out on display....

Though I will defer to twodan on advancements in the industry... bro's been out of it for 8 years and there is always a chance of new technology - perhaps different ductwork materials?

Bren R.

I DO love this forum. This thread began with speaker finish; worked it's way through guitars; and now we're into HVAC. And, it's remained interesting, fun, and free of personal insults.

eightmanvt,like twodan said check out aprilaire humidifiers,they have a panel system that leaves no standing water in the pan like drum systems do, and they come with a humidistat to control the humidity level, they work very good...ron

That does sound like an improvement, but...again, intuitively...even the thought of moisture laden air circulating through the ducting -- just still seems like a golden opportunity for mold. I'll probably either just continue using my case units...or if this coming winter gets bad again...get a room unit. Thanks for the tip though...I will check it out.