If you are thinking about putting in a humidifier, how do you know what size is right for your home?
There are 2 main factors to consider….how big the area is that you want to humidiy and how well insulated (tightness) the home is. The answer to these questions will determine how many gallons per day (gpd) are needed to do the job. GPD is the standard output measurement for furnace humidifiers….number of gallons per day absorbed into the air in a 24 hour period.
The tightness of a house is basically broken down into 3 categories. Tight, Average and Loose.
Characteristics of a TIGHT home
-well insulated, vapor barrier, tight storm doors and windows with weather stripping, dampened fireplace.
Characteristics of an AVERAGE home
-insulated, vapor barrier, loose storm doors and windows, dampened fireplace
Characteristics of a LOOSE home
– little insulation, no srorm windows or doors, no vapor barrier, undampened fireplace
How much humidity do you need? Let’s use a 2000 sq. ft. house as an example.
Tight House 4.9 gpd
Average House 8.0 gpd
Loose House 10.0 gpd
It is always best to consult with experts to make sure you are getting what you need for your home.