Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers - Desert Spring Power usage
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Jmanimal
03-19-07, 08:39 PM
I have installed a Desert Spring Humidifier and have 2 questions:
1. How much power consumption is normal for these things? We noticed a spike of 2000 kwh in this past month's bill. It is wired to go on/off according to humidity content of air. Assuming the worst, which is that the unit runs all the time, would we realize this large of an increase? The average temp and other power uses have been fairly constant.
2. I learned a long time ago that warm water has the ability to carry more minerals in solution. This is contrary to the advice given for the water supply hookup for these humidifiers........*scratches head* I gathered that part of the intent of the advice was that warm water evaporates more quickly, but it will not be warm long in the tray below the drum. I guess my question is-why warm?
TIA and thanks for such a great forum. I will impart knowledge where I can....
Jman
1. How much power consumption is normal for these things? We noticed a spike of 2000 kwh in this past month's bill. It is wired to go on/off according to humidity content of air. Assuming the worst, which is that the unit runs all the time, would we realize this large of an increase? The average temp and other power uses have been fairly constant.
2. I learned a long time ago that warm water has the ability to carry more minerals in solution. This is contrary to the advice given for the water supply hookup for these humidifiers........*scratches head* I gathered that part of the intent of the advice was that warm water evaporates more quickly, but it will not be warm long in the tray below the drum. I guess my question is-why warm?
TIA and thanks for such a great forum. I will impart knowledge where I can....
Jman
Jay11J
03-20-07, 04:51 AM
I don't know how much the motor will draw, but I do know for a fact it won't draw 2k watts!
What do you have for heating system? Gas, Heat pump w/ Electric heat back up? What's your water heater?
Hot water is not really needed for units with standing water, but the water from a water heater will be some what cleaner since the impurity has a chance to "fall" out of the water in the water heater tank. That's why they say you should flush your water heater once a year.
What do you have for heating system? Gas, Heat pump w/ Electric heat back up? What's your water heater?
Hot water is not really needed for units with standing water, but the water from a water heater will be some what cleaner since the impurity has a chance to "fall" out of the water in the water heater tank. That's why they say you should flush your water heater once a year.
Jmanimal
03-20-07, 08:46 PM
Thanks for the info. We have about a 2200 sq ft. 3 level townhome with: elec. water heater, heat pump w/ elec furnace. We did have a bit of a cold snap (1.5 weeks of teens) last month, which may account for some of the usage. The rest would , I guess, be attributed to the humidifier. I was just not sure what others had experienced.
The furnace is in the lower level, while the hot water heater is on the second level with the w/d. Until I install the on demand hot water down there for the utility sink, I will probably continue to run the humidifier with cold water.
Jman
The furnace is in the lower level, while the hot water heater is on the second level with the w/d. Until I install the on demand hot water down there for the utility sink, I will probably continue to run the humidifier with cold water.
Jman
Jay11J
03-20-07, 08:53 PM
Do you use set back at night?
Ed Imeduc
03-20-07, 10:16 PM
It is wired to go on/off according to humidity content of air. Assuming the worst, which is that the unit runs all the time,
???????? You do mean that it runs only when the furnace Blower is on????
The best bet to see if the power draw is right is to Amp it when its on.
???????? You do mean that it runs only when the furnace Blower is on????
The best bet to see if the power draw is right is to Amp it when its on.