Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers - not enough humidity output

I bought a Desert Springs rotary disc furnace humidifier and installed it about a week ago and have had it running constantly with the furnace fan on and still haven't noticed much change. The humidity level isn't much over 20%. With my furnace configuration I have the unit mounted below our updraft furnace and had to run the intake duct up about 7' above the humidifier in the hot air duct above the furnace. I was wondering if you thought that long distance may be reducing the airflow to the humidifier and if I should install a duct fan to to the humidifier to help get more airflow to it. Sorry for the long post, any help is appreciated.

Josh

Could you put it on the furnace plenum and the return pipe on the cold air duct?? Might help. Hot water to the unit helps some.

I have the humidifier mounted in the return duct for the furnace like the directions said to. Should it be mounted somewhere else to work better? I am sorry I am new at some of the terms is the plenum the cold air side or the hot air side of the furnace:confused: The closest spot for me to mount the hot air feed hose for the humidifier was above the furnace. should I swap positions for the humidifier and the feed hose? :confused:

Josh

If I recalled, Cold are return is where this style of humidifer needs to be.

Being that the water is in a tray, the hot water is not going to help much at all. So, I wouldn't waste time on this.

How often does the furnace itself (Heat) rusn? WIth the fan ON is not going to help.

Is the home old and drafty? Fresh air tied into return with no control/dampers?

the heat has been on quite a bit, it is going to be around zero tonight. I will switch the fan to auto. the house is only about 5 yrs old and isn't drafty. The cold air return grill is right on the wall next to the furnace, which is where humidifier is, so no dampers or controls.

You only got one return on this system?

No fresh air pipe from outside tied into the return?

there are a couple of large pipes that I believe are fresh air pipes that come down from the ceiling in the furnace room, but they are not directly tied into the furnace that I can see. there is a large 2'x2' grill on the wall by the furnace room that feeds the furnace.

I guess I don't know what more to say.... I've heard mix results on this style of humidifier of lack of humidity.

Only last questions I have.

-What is the outdoor temps?

-Do you have a lot of recess (Can) lights in the ceiling?

temps are between 10-30 degrees. we have a few recessed lights, but they are all downstairs and not into the attic. Thanks for the help anyway, I may try and get a fan to put in the 6" hose for the humidifier to try and maybe get more air through the humidifier. If I do this and it works I will post and let you know how it works out.

thanks
Josh

This is one of the main reasons why I don't care for humidifiers on the HVAC system. I don't think they work near as good as a stand alone unit.

I may try and get a fan to put in the 6" hose for the humidifier to try and maybe get more air through the humidifier. If I do this and it works I will post and let you know how it works out.


Josh, I wouldn't waste the time/money on this.. You are not going to gain anything from it.

When the blower is running, pop the cover off and put your hand over the opening and feel for air flow in both openings.