Well, I have lived in northern Canada for most of my life, and back in
my childhood days, we simply put a container of water (re coffee can) on
the heater, and when we got central heat (humidifiers were not
normally installed), placed the can on the vent in the kitchen (most
used room), and if it was to dry in bedrooms did the same thing with
those vents.

No chance of a fire, burnt pot etc. all you had to do was refill the can.

As an adult working in the high arctic we did the same thing in the bunk
house. If you didn't, you woke up in the morning with split lips and a
mouth that tasted like the cat s**t in it....

If you want to spend a fortune sealing up your house, it will save you
in heating costs, but to be healthy your going to need an air to air
exchanger anyway, and your house will still dry out if you have serious
cold weather... Which is why even an energy efficient home will usually
have a humidification system of some kind...

If you live in a humid climate with out sub freezing temps, an energy
efficient house will require a dehumidifier...


Dave

wrote:
wrote:


We live in a rented townhouse. During the winter when the heat is
used, the place really gets dry. So much so that it dries out the
sinus and causes discomfort. Is there any easy practical way to
humidify this place?


Sure. Caulk it. Andersen says an average family of 4 evaporate 2 gallons
of water per day, ie 0.0116 pounds per minute... 70 F air weighs about
0.075 lb/ft^3, so you can raise the RH from wo = 0.0025 pounds of water
per pound of dry air outdoors to wi = 0.0047 indoors (70 F at 30% RH) by
reducing the air leaks until 0.075C(wi-wo) = 0.0116 pounds of water per
minute, ie C = 70 cfm. This will also reduce your heating bill.

Nick