The humidity level in my house (central North Carolina) for the winter is
typically 20% or below. We've purchased a Holmes humidifier rated for the
size of our house (~1700 sq. feet). Anytime the heater (Carrier heat pump)
kicks in the humidity level in the house drops. The humidifier has a hard
time compensating in a reasonable amount of time. Its difficult to keep the
humidity level to 40% on a steady basis.

Should the heating system be dehumidifying my house to this degree?

Jones

Jones wrote:
The humidity level in my house (central North Carolina) for the
winter is typically 20% or below. We've purchased a Holmes
humidifier rated for the size of our house (~1700 sq. feet). Anytime
the heater (Carrier heat pump) kicks in the humidity level in the
house drops. The humidifier has a hard time compensating in a
reasonable amount of time. Its difficult to keep the humidity level
to 40% on a steady basis.
Should the heating system be dehumidifying my house to this degree?

Jones

Heating air, not matter where the heat comes from, always reduces the
humidity.

It appears you humidifier is not doing the job. It may be in part
because it was designed to work with a system with a higher temperature
rise. Maybe it is not installed properly or maybe it is not working
properly, or maybe it is just junk.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

There's absolute and relative humidity. Unless you add or remove
moisture, you do not affect absolute humidity. OTOH, heating/cooling
will reduce/increase _relative_ humidity. Which is important to
respiratory tract, etc.
40% R.H. sounds a bit high. Maybe if you set for 30%?

HTH,
John