Humidifier corrodes furnace heat exchanger?
 

I heard that when one has a humidifier installed directly into one's
furnace, the humidifier will cause the heat exchanger to corrode much faster
than without a humidifier. Is this true?

I'm not sure a guy who sells furnaces is going to give an honest answer.

Howie

Humidifier corrodes furnace heat exchanger?
 

"Howie" wrote in message
...
I heard that when one has a humidifier installed directly into one's
furnace, the humidifier will cause the heat exchanger to corrode much
faster
than without a humidifier. Is this true?

If the humidifier is an atomizing type and the water sprays on the HX, it
will rust the HX out fast.

If it's a vapor type humidifier, like an AprilAir, it won't cause faster
rusting.


I'm not sure a guy who sells furnaces is going to give an honest answer.


Most of us do give honest answers. Even Davey (HVAC Fella) gives honest
answers, but they are honest to him only. The answers are honest, but not
correct.
Howie

Humidifier corrodes furnace heat exchanger?
 

HeatMan wrote:
"Howie" wrote in message
...
I heard that when one has a humidifier installed directly into one's
furnace, the humidifier will cause the heat exchanger to corrode
much faster than without a humidifier. Is this true?

If the humidifier is an atomizing type and the water sprays on the
HX, it will rust the HX out fast.

If it's a vapor type humidifier, like an AprilAir, it won't cause
faster rusting.

I agree.



I'm not sure a guy who sells furnaces is going to give an honest
answer.


Most of us do give honest answers. Even Davey (HVAC Fella) gives
honest answers, but they are honest to him only. The answers are
honest, but not correct.
Howie

This is not MY Howie in NY is it?

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

Humidifier corrodes furnace heat exchanger?
 

"Howie" wrote in message ...
I heard that when one has a humidifier installed directly into one's
furnace, the humidifier will cause the heat exchanger to corrode much faster
than without a humidifier. Is this true?

I'm not sure a guy who sells furnaces is going to give an honest answer.

Howie


I'm not sure how big an issue this is, if at all. However, if you're
worried about it, I think there is a solution. The most common
humdidifiers are bypass models. They short circuit some hot air thru
the humidifier where it picks up moisture and then send it across to
the intake plenum, where it goes back through the furnace. If
corrosion were to be a problem, that would seem to be the source of
the problem, because now you have hot moist air going over the hot
heat exchanger.

There are humidifiers that are not bypass, cost a little more, but
have a built in fan. These only circulate air from the hot plenum
throught the humidifier and then back into the hot plenum. With the
furnace blower running, this air then just goes up and out, never
going through the heat exchanger. They also have the advantage of not
reducing the furnace blower capacity by short circuiting air. I have
an Aprilaire and it has been superb, I highly recommend it.

Humidifier corrodes furnace heat exchanger?
 

"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
...
HeatMan wrote:
"Howie" wrote in message
...
I heard that when one has a humidifier installed directly into one's
furnace, the humidifier will cause the heat exchanger to corrode
much faster than without a humidifier. Is this true?

If the humidifier is an atomizing type and the water sprays on the
HX, it will rust the HX out fast.

If it's a vapor type humidifier, like an AprilAir, it won't cause
faster rusting.

I agree.



I'm not sure a guy who sells furnaces is going to give an honest
answer.


Most of us do give honest answers. Even Davey (HVAC Fella) gives
honest answers, but they are honest to him only. The answers are
honest, but not correct.
Howie

This is not MY Howie in NY is it?

nope, this is Howie from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada...


--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

Humidifier corrodes furnace heat exchanger?
 

I haven't heard of a Aprilaire type... what about the drum type? I'm not
that familiar with humidifier types, I've seen the old style plate types, as
well as the drum style. I think I've seen the type where the air is drawn
into the unit through flexible vinyl tubing.


"Chet Hayes" wrote in message
om...
"Howie" wrote in message
...
I heard that when one has a humidifier installed directly into one's
furnace, the humidifier will cause the heat exchanger to corrode much
faster
than without a humidifier. Is this true?

I'm not sure a guy who sells furnaces is going to give an honest answer.

Howie


I'm not sure how big an issue this is, if at all. However, if you're
worried about it, I think there is a solution. The most common
humdidifiers are bypass models. They short circuit some hot air thru
the humidifier where it picks up moisture and then send it across to
the intake plenum, where it goes back through the furnace. If
corrosion were to be a problem, that would seem to be the source of
the problem, because now you have hot moist air going over the hot
heat exchanger.

There are humidifiers that are not bypass, cost a little more, but
have a built in fan. These only circulate air from the hot plenum
throught the humidifier and then back into the hot plenum. With the
furnace blower running, this air then just goes up and out, never
going through the heat exchanger. They also have the advantage of not
reducing the furnace blower capacity by short circuiting air. I have
an Aprilaire and it has been superb, I highly recommend it.

Humidifier corrodes furnace heat exchanger?
 

"Howie" wrote in message
...
I haven't heard of a Aprilaire type... what about the drum type? I'm not
that familiar with humidifier types, I've seen the old style plate types,
as
well as the drum style. I think I've seen the type where the air is drawn
into the unit through flexible vinyl tubing.

I don't care for the drum types. To prevent water from getting yucky, you
have to flush if daily(at least). The flush valve adds to the cost and that
makes the prices higher than the panel style humidifiers.

Humidifier corrodes furnace heat exchanger?
 

"Howie" wrote in message
...
I haven't heard of a Aprilaire type... what about the drum type? I'm not
that familiar with humidifier types, I've seen the old style plate types,
as
well as the drum style. I think I've seen the type where the air is drawn
into the unit through flexible vinyl tubing.



Aprilaire is what most of your better contractors will sell...

We install several dozen a year...

www.aprilaire.com


"Chet Hayes" wrote in message
om...
"Howie" wrote in message
...
I heard that when one has a humidifier installed directly into one's
furnace, the humidifier will cause the heat exchanger to corrode much
faster
than without a humidifier. Is this true?

I'm not sure a guy who sells furnaces is going to give an honest
answer.

Howie


I'm not sure how big an issue this is, if at all. However, if you're
worried about it, I think there is a solution. The most common
humdidifiers are bypass models. They short circuit some hot air thru
the humidifier where it picks up moisture and then send it across to
the intake plenum, where it goes back through the furnace. If
corrosion were to be a problem, that would seem to be the source of
the problem, because now you have hot moist air going over the hot
heat exchanger.

There are humidifiers that are not bypass, cost a little more, but
have a built in fan. These only circulate air from the hot plenum
throught the humidifier and then back into the hot plenum. With the
furnace blower running, this air then just goes up and out, never
going through the heat exchanger. They also have the advantage of not
reducing the furnace blower capacity by short circuiting air. I have
an Aprilaire and it has been superb, I highly recommend it.