Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers - Need more humidity

I have a log cabin that needs more humidity.
We use the house on weekends and vacation time. I just had a whole house humidifier install and don't see much difference. I have been reading the threads and would like some advice. I had a Lennox unit installed (sounds like it's an Aprilair just a different sticker on it). Anyway I have 1800 sq feet with high ceilings on the main floor and an unfinished basement. I am trying protect the logs, floors and ceilings. My questions are can I run the fan when we are not there to help build the humidity? Should I change the water intake to a hot water line? I just hate to run the furnace a lot when we are not there. I know this is long winded, but I need any advise you can give me. I hate to think I wasted our money. Thanks in advance for your help.

How old is this log home, and if it's older is it leaky?

How cool do you set the temps back when you are not there, and avg run time on the furnace?

The home is 2years old. I set the thermostat at 65 last week. Outdoors temps around 19 at night and 30 during the day. It's not normally that cold.
Neighbor check house today and humidity was 24%. The heater cycles quite often. I ask my wife how long the heater runs because she in inside more than I am. Thank you for your help.
What about moving humistat upstairs? Thanks for your help any input is welcome.

The home is 2years old. I set the thermostat at 65 last week.
The house is pretty new so should be tight (?)


Outdoors temps around 19 at night and 30 during the day. It's not normally that cold.
Being where you are at, I'm guessing the furnace doesn't run much when it is your normal temps outside?


Neighbor check house today and humidity was 24%.
Was the readin taking when the temps was down to 19 or so?
You may have an outdoor sensor on it, and that will adj the humidity as needed to prevent humidity collecting on the cold spots and windows.

What about moving humistat upstairs? Thanks for your help any input is welcome.
Return is better that way you can get an whole house avg. When you remove the humidistat off the duct, is there a hole cut out behind it for it to read the air?

House is tight.
Furnace runs mostly at night and early morning.
Normal winter temps is around 40-50 during day. and 30s at night. It gets what we consider cold.
No outdoor sensor reading was taken when it was about 36% outside temp.
Humidistat is mounted on wall framing next to the return duct, in unfinished unheated basement. It is more humid in basement then upstairs.

Ok, the humidistat should be mounted on the return, being that the basement is cooler it will have more humidity in the air.

You have the digital reading style humidistat in the basement or dial type?

The one that came with the unit is dial and that is what is hanging on the wall.
I am thinking of putting a digital Signature Stat to replace the one upstairs so I can control everything.

That'll work for ya.

Is the furnace and or A/C two stage?

If I were you, open some of the vents in the basement.. It'll make the floor feel a little bti warmer, and also help move the air around in the basement.

What does being a 2 stage mean?

Two stage is the system is cut back on heating/cooling capcity.

Like my furnace is a 60,000 BTU, all that heat is not needed on a normal day, just early morning recovery, and design temp.

So on 1st stage, the furnace is putting out 37,000 BTU, with this, it's a nice long run time that provides comfort in my home.

It seems to be a single-stage. Lennox Elite G51.

Yes, that is a single stage furnace.

So what is your diagnosis? Ideas etc.. Thank you for your help.

I would get the humidistat moved into the return where it should of been in the first place, or order the new t-stat that has the humidistat control..

However, if you go with the t-stat, you are going to have to rewire everything.. I don't know if you are using the furnace's HUM on the board or another transfromer?

What are the steps to mount it in the return?
What about relocating it upstairs where I need the humidity?
Thanks for you help.

What are the steps to mount it in the return?
Hopefully the dealer or who ever put it left the papers and template with you to cut the right size hole. Find that template, and tape it to the duct and cut the hole with sheetmetal snips.

What about relocating it upstairs where I need the humidity?
You'll need to fish new wires up the wall to mount this on the wall up in the living space. The return would be best that way you can get a good whole house reading when the system is running vs just in the hall way that it's in.


Do you know what model you have for the humidistat?

I don't know what model it is it came with the unit. It is not digital. So you think it would be better to put it in the duct and not put one upstairs?

Yes, the return would be best.

What is the make on the t-stat, Aprilaire or Honeywell?

It is a lennox unit so it was probably made by Aprilair.

Here is The Install Manual. (http://www.ntsupply.com/files/products/56_install.pdf) The last page is the dotted line, that is your template to cut out the opening.