Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers - Installing Humidifier

I want to get a whole-house humidifier for my 1100 sq. ft, 2 story condo, but don't really know which kind to get. My furnace is located in a small room in my basement with the water heater, and the washer/dryer. There are no outlets in the room, so I am worried about how I am going to get power to the unit.

What kind of unit do you guys recommend? Home Depot near me sells Honeywell units. Are they any good? Also, what do you recommend for the power issue?

Thanks

Honeywell ones are good, We've sold alot of them, and I have not heard any complate from my customer on this.

Depends on your set up if you are able to use the by-pass or the power unit.

If you are to use the power unit, you will need a 120v plug. You should be able to get power from the line that powers your furnace.

By-pass unit needs a transfromer, and that needs 120v as well.. On some newer furnaces, they have a 120v termal tht you can tie into for power fo it.

Well....I think I have enough SPACE to use either kind, however the power is an issue. How would I get power from the line that feeds the furnace?

You dont say what kind of furnace you have. Say gas there should be a kill or on off switch right there on it. Just get your 110V power from there if you want. I like to use a A50 currrent sensing relay to turn on the humidifier when ever the blower is on. this works best as you dont have to go into the furnace wire set up.
There also are many humidifiers out taht work good LAU, GeneralAir, AprilAir, Perfect Climate.


ED ;)

Excuse me if I sound stupid, but I THINK it's electric. I can shut it off via the breaker box in the basement, if that helps.

Then in the electric furnace you will have 220V. Now you can take one leg of this and pick up a ground for 110V to run the humidifier. But know what you are doing here first for sure. You said washer can you plug into its outlet there.


ED ;)

Yeah, find out for sure what you got before you do anything!

Don't want to wire this up wrong, and you'll be out on what you spend on the new humidfier

That's true, I didn't even think of that. I know my dryer plugs into a dedicated outlet, but I can't remember where the washer plugs in. I'll have to look at that tonight......

Ok....so here's an update. I found the outlet that the washer plugs into. I honestly forgot it was even there. :)

Anyway...this poses another question. The outlet looks a bit far from where the unit would hook up. Is a humidifier something that you can attach to an extension cord, or no? I know some things say specifically NOT to use with an extension cord.

Thanks guys

I would tie into the outlet for the washer, and use a conduit, and run it over towards the air handler.

Do you mean tap into the wiring for that outlet?

Id get the 110V from off the furnace there. Than run around to the wall plug there.

ED ;)