According to my wife, each year between say November to February our water
usage goes up about 20%. We live in southern Ontario.

She says it's caused by the humidifier on our furnace. I highly doubt that.
It is the drip type, not the drum type. Each fall I check to make sure the
water flow is adequate to moisten the panel, without spilling a lot into the
overflow. I also make sure it the water only flows when it should: fan
running and humistat switched on. We don't run the fan manually.

As for the water consumption, I think it probably has to do with wearing
heavier clothing which would lead to more laundry loads.

Any thoughts?

Marc

"Marc" wrote in message
...
According to my wife, each year between say November to February our water
usage goes up about 20%. We live in southern Ontario.

She says it's caused by the humidifier on our furnace. I highly doubt
that.
It is the drip type, not the drum type. Each fall I check to make sure
the
water flow is adequate to moisten the panel, without spilling a lot into
the
overflow. I also make sure it the water only flows when it should: fan
running and humistat switched on. We don't run the fan manually.

As for the water consumption, I think it probably has to do with wearing
heavier clothing which would lead to more laundry loads.

Any thoughts?

Marc

I used to have a evaporative cooler for the hot months with low humidity in
Arizona.
Then I specifically paid attention to the actual water usage of the cooler.
What I saved in electricity I spent on water. Water bill would double to
triple the months I used the evap cooler.

I will bet that your both right.

You can only evaporate per hour what the system takes the rest is down
the drain, a humidifier should not use enough water to make a big
difference. If your thermostat has a hour meter you can roughly figure
out run time and measure the waste overflow per hour, Maybe a smaller
line or reducing the flow will help, I do less laundry loads in winter
and water outside in summer, in winter even with a humidifier water use
is much less.

"Marc" wrote in message
...
According to my wife, each year between say November to February our water
usage goes up about 20%. We live in southern Ontario.

She says it's caused by the humidifier on our furnace. I highly doubt
that.
It is the drip type, not the drum type. Each fall I check to make sure
the
water flow is adequate to moisten the panel, without spilling a lot into
the
overflow. I also make sure it the water only flows when it should: fan
running and humistat switched on. We don't run the fan manually.

As for the water consumption, I think it probably has to do with wearing
heavier clothing which would lead to more laundry loads.

Any thoughts?

Both may be right. My humidifier adds a few gallons a day. That is only a
toilet flush or two, but YMMV. Other habits may change also, longer hot
shower? More elaborate meals with more dishes to wash?

FWIW, my grandson added $50+ to our utilities with the added laundry and
drying.

SQLit wrote:
"Marc" wrote in message
...
According to my wife, each year between say November to February our water
usage goes up about 20%. We live in southern Ontario.

She says it's caused by the humidifier on our furnace. I highly doubt
that.
It is the drip type, not the drum type. Each fall I check to make sure
the
water flow is adequate to moisten the panel, without spilling a lot into
the
overflow. I also make sure it the water only flows when it should: fan
running and humistat switched on. We don't run the fan manually.

As for the water consumption, I think it probably has to do with wearing
heavier clothing which would lead to more laundry loads.

Any thoughts?

Marc

I used to have a evaporative cooler for the hot months with low humidity in
Arizona.
Then I specifically paid attention to the actual water usage of the cooler.
What I saved in electricity I spent on water. Water bill would double to
triple the months I used the evap cooler.

I will bet that your both right.



How much were you using? Mine usage increases too (Denver area) but
most of the water goes for outside watering.

I think I run off more water to keep the mineral content down than I
evaporate.