Small cost? My mother decided not ot upkeep her humidifier for a few years
and her maple table split from end to end as well as her buffet cracked
right down one side. Ohhhh, the 3/8 inch cracks all close up each summer but
open again each winter. Then we won't mention the nasal irritation and
infections and the kleenex to wipe up the bloody noses. Want to talk about
zapped computer equipment for the static hitting the keyboard?

**** your economy.

"Duane Bozarth" wrote in message
...
Rod Speed wrote:

wrote in message
ups.com...

OK Nick, care to elaborate on what your theory is?

As I understand it, extra humidification can allow a person to feel
more comfortable at a lower temperature. Water and the small
amount of electricity needed to open up a water solenoid valve is
cheaper than the extra fuel one would need to raise the temperature
to be comfortable at a lower humidity level. What am I missing?

That there is more energy required to raise the humidity level than just
'the small amount of electricity needed to open up a water solenoid
valve'

The water aint just sprayed into the room, and even if it
was, you need to supply the latent heat involved anyway.

Are you assuming that the thermostat is at the
same setting weather or not the humidifier is on?

Nope. Basically looking at the lower temp that can be set
and the energy cost of producing that higher humidity.
...

There's undoubtedly a crossover point somewhere but in general
excessively low humidity is uncomfortable enough that most would
consider the small cost well worth it.