Dry air is killing me

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Lance2020x

New member
I've been living in Arizona the past four months or so, and I know exactly what you're going through. I often wondered if a humidifier made the ROOM itself (walls, corners etc.) have higher chance for mold. Can anybody tell me if there is any thruth to that?<br><br>

I soon learned the most important thing is water. Drink and drink and don't ever stop drinking water. That helped me quite a bit.
 
L

Lance2020x

New member
I've been living in Arizona the past four months or so, and I know exactly what you're going through. I often wondered if a humidifier made the ROOM itself (walls, corners etc.) have higher chance for mold. Can anybody tell me if there is any thruth to that?<br><br>

I soon learned the most important thing is water. Drink and drink and don't ever stop drinking water. That helped me quite a bit.
 
M

mom2lillian

New member
I too always have worst trouble in winter with dryness and very bad bleeding sinus's 4 years ago we started turnign down our heat in winter (we used to keep it 73+) not we keep it 67-68 and I have alot less trouble wiht bleeding. I also drink insane amounts of water. Humidifiers can increase mold growth in room depending on level of humidity (you can use a barometer), they also should not be used within I bleieve it is 4 feet of a wall, plus they have the maintenance issues already mentioned which I am too lazy to keep up with so that is why we keep our heat lower.

Off topic question?
We are lookign to move within next year or so and when we build a house my husband is looking at getting a radiant heated system put in where there is a wood burner external to the house and it heats water which goes through pipes in the house. <b>Has anyone had experience staying in a house with an alternate heating system besides forced air furnace or electric?</b>
 
M

mom2lillian

New member
I too always have worst trouble in winter with dryness and very bad bleeding sinus's 4 years ago we started turnign down our heat in winter (we used to keep it 73+) not we keep it 67-68 and I have alot less trouble wiht bleeding. I also drink insane amounts of water. Humidifiers can increase mold growth in room depending on level of humidity (you can use a barometer), they also should not be used within I bleieve it is 4 feet of a wall, plus they have the maintenance issues already mentioned which I am too lazy to keep up with so that is why we keep our heat lower.

Off topic question?
We are lookign to move within next year or so and when we build a house my husband is looking at getting a radiant heated system put in where there is a wood burner external to the house and it heats water which goes through pipes in the house. <b>Has anyone had experience staying in a house with an alternate heating system besides forced air furnace or electric?</b>
 
M

mom2lillian

New member
I too always have worst trouble in winter with dryness and very bad bleeding sinus's 4 years ago we started turnign down our heat in winter (we used to keep it 73+) not we keep it 67-68 and I have alot less trouble wiht bleeding. I also drink insane amounts of water. Humidifiers can increase mold growth in room depending on level of humidity (you can use a barometer), they also should not be used within I bleieve it is 4 feet of a wall, plus they have the maintenance issues already mentioned which I am too lazy to keep up with so that is why we keep our heat lower.

Off topic question?
We are lookign to move within next year or so and when we build a house my husband is looking at getting a radiant heated system put in where there is a wood burner external to the house and it heats water which goes through pipes in the house. <b>Has anyone had experience staying in a house with an alternate heating system besides forced air furnace or electric?</b>
 
J

JazzysMom

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>mom2lillian</b></i>
Off topic question?

We are lookign to move within next year or so and when we build a house my husband is looking at getting a radiant heated system put in where there is a wood burner external to the house and it heats water which goes through pipes in the house. <b>Has anyone had experience staying in a house with an alternate heating system besides forced air furnace or electric?</b></end quote></div>


This method has become very popular in our area. Being that we live in the "woods", burning wood for heat is much cheaper. It also causes many fires so when these new external wood burning houses came to market they took off like crazy. We have quite a few friends that use them and adore them. The hot water baseboard heat is great to begin with & then fuled with wood from an outside building so risk of fire damage to the house is minimal is great. Just one warning or thought.....since it has become so popular here. The towns/cities etc have started instituting zoning & law ordinances on them. Some areas (such as the town we live in) out law them altogether. Others require one time permits with no "restrictions" of location to the house etc & others are very strict as to the proximity of the wood burner versus the house. Also a note that many people burn "types of wood" (i.e. scrap lumber etc) that you couldnt burn inside the home because of the fumes etc. This is also being looked at locally. Even the fumes arent going into the persons home, they are going into the "public" air. If there is no local zoining that restricts you too much, I say go for it. THat is as long as you are willing to get the wood & stoke it daily etc.
 
J

JazzysMom

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>mom2lillian</b></i>
Off topic question?

We are lookign to move within next year or so and when we build a house my husband is looking at getting a radiant heated system put in where there is a wood burner external to the house and it heats water which goes through pipes in the house. <b>Has anyone had experience staying in a house with an alternate heating system besides forced air furnace or electric?</b></end quote></div>


This method has become very popular in our area. Being that we live in the "woods", burning wood for heat is much cheaper. It also causes many fires so when these new external wood burning houses came to market they took off like crazy. We have quite a few friends that use them and adore them. The hot water baseboard heat is great to begin with & then fuled with wood from an outside building so risk of fire damage to the house is minimal is great. Just one warning or thought.....since it has become so popular here. The towns/cities etc have started instituting zoning & law ordinances on them. Some areas (such as the town we live in) out law them altogether. Others require one time permits with no "restrictions" of location to the house etc & others are very strict as to the proximity of the wood burner versus the house. Also a note that many people burn "types of wood" (i.e. scrap lumber etc) that you couldnt burn inside the home because of the fumes etc. This is also being looked at locally. Even the fumes arent going into the persons home, they are going into the "public" air. If there is no local zoining that restricts you too much, I say go for it. THat is as long as you are willing to get the wood & stoke it daily etc.
 
J

JazzysMom

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>mom2lillian</b></i>
Off topic question?

We are lookign to move within next year or so and when we build a house my husband is looking at getting a radiant heated system put in where there is a wood burner external to the house and it heats water which goes through pipes in the house. <b>Has anyone had experience staying in a house with an alternate heating system besides forced air furnace or electric?</b></end quote></div>


This method has become very popular in our area. Being that we live in the "woods", burning wood for heat is much cheaper. It also causes many fires so when these new external wood burning houses came to market they took off like crazy. We have quite a few friends that use them and adore them. The hot water baseboard heat is great to begin with & then fuled with wood from an outside building so risk of fire damage to the house is minimal is great. Just one warning or thought.....since it has become so popular here. The towns/cities etc have started instituting zoning & law ordinances on them. Some areas (such as the town we live in) out law them altogether. Others require one time permits with no "restrictions" of location to the house etc & others are very strict as to the proximity of the wood burner versus the house. Also a note that many people burn "types of wood" (i.e. scrap lumber etc) that you couldnt burn inside the home because of the fumes etc. This is also being looked at locally. Even the fumes arent going into the persons home, they are going into the "public" air. If there is no local zoining that restricts you too much, I say go for it. THat is as long as you are willing to get the wood & stoke it daily etc.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
Hey everyone! Your friendly and knowledgeable air-quality scientist ringing in on this one:

Humidifiers are mainly problematic for people with sensitivities to mold. The reason is, mold loves to thrive in places that are moist and warm (bowling shoes for example). This makes them a little bit risky for CFers, but not something to avoid entirely. The main things to consider when using a humidifier are:

1. where it will be used

If you're using it in a heavily carpeted room, make sure you set the humidifier up on a table or dresser to minimize the amount of vapor that hits the floor.

2. how often it's used

If you plan to use it on a daily basis (as opposed to just when you have a head cold or something) be diligent about cleaning it and wiping it down. The longer the water in it sits around, the more likely you'll get something icky growing in it. Remember, something doesn't need to look like pond scum to be unhealthy.

The cool mist humidifiers are the best way to go. Something else to consider that may sound a little wacky (honestly, I'm not usually into such "tree-huggy" solutions like this) is to get a small philodendron plant and put it in the room in which you spend the most time. Philodendrons are good because they don't blossom (which is problematic for allergy sufferers). As the plant uses the water you give it, it adds just a touch of humidity.

Even as I type that I can't believe I did so. I will say from experience though that when I had a philodendron on my nightstand during college, I didn't have nearly the nosebleeds from dryness. I know, I know...corellation does not imply causation, but if you don't want to shell out the big bucks for a humidifier, treat yourself to a happy little houseplant.


And don't forget to feed him, Seymour!
 
L

lightNlife

New member
Hey everyone! Your friendly and knowledgeable air-quality scientist ringing in on this one:

Humidifiers are mainly problematic for people with sensitivities to mold. The reason is, mold loves to thrive in places that are moist and warm (bowling shoes for example). This makes them a little bit risky for CFers, but not something to avoid entirely. The main things to consider when using a humidifier are:

1. where it will be used

If you're using it in a heavily carpeted room, make sure you set the humidifier up on a table or dresser to minimize the amount of vapor that hits the floor.

2. how often it's used

If you plan to use it on a daily basis (as opposed to just when you have a head cold or something) be diligent about cleaning it and wiping it down. The longer the water in it sits around, the more likely you'll get something icky growing in it. Remember, something doesn't need to look like pond scum to be unhealthy.

The cool mist humidifiers are the best way to go. Something else to consider that may sound a little wacky (honestly, I'm not usually into such "tree-huggy" solutions like this) is to get a small philodendron plant and put it in the room in which you spend the most time. Philodendrons are good because they don't blossom (which is problematic for allergy sufferers). As the plant uses the water you give it, it adds just a touch of humidity.

Even as I type that I can't believe I did so. I will say from experience though that when I had a philodendron on my nightstand during college, I didn't have nearly the nosebleeds from dryness. I know, I know...corellation does not imply causation, but if you don't want to shell out the big bucks for a humidifier, treat yourself to a happy little houseplant.


And don't forget to feed him, Seymour!
 
L

lightNlife

New member
Hey everyone! Your friendly and knowledgeable air-quality scientist ringing in on this one:

Humidifiers are mainly problematic for people with sensitivities to mold. The reason is, mold loves to thrive in places that are moist and warm (bowling shoes for example). This makes them a little bit risky for CFers, but not something to avoid entirely. The main things to consider when using a humidifier are:

1. where it will be used

If you're using it in a heavily carpeted room, make sure you set the humidifier up on a table or dresser to minimize the amount of vapor that hits the floor.

2. how often it's used

If you plan to use it on a daily basis (as opposed to just when you have a head cold or something) be diligent about cleaning it and wiping it down. The longer the water in it sits around, the more likely you'll get something icky growing in it. Remember, something doesn't need to look like pond scum to be unhealthy.

The cool mist humidifiers are the best way to go. Something else to consider that may sound a little wacky (honestly, I'm not usually into such "tree-huggy" solutions like this) is to get a small philodendron plant and put it in the room in which you spend the most time. Philodendrons are good because they don't blossom (which is problematic for allergy sufferers). As the plant uses the water you give it, it adds just a touch of humidity.

Even as I type that I can't believe I did so. I will say from experience though that when I had a philodendron on my nightstand during college, I didn't have nearly the nosebleeds from dryness. I know, I know...corellation does not imply causation, but if you don't want to shell out the big bucks for a humidifier, treat yourself to a happy little houseplant.


And don't forget to feed him, Seymour!
 
J

Jem

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>julie61554</b></i>

We have a whole house humidifier. It is connected to our furnace. You can change the settings depending on how much humidity you want to put it the air. They are more expensive, but we have never had to worry about changing water or the water harboring bacteria, etc. We really like ours.



Julie 39 w/cf



Edited to add:



<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.aprilaire.com/index.php?znfAction=ProductsCat&category=humid
">http://www.aprilaire.com/index...&category=humid
</a>


I hope the link works. This is the humidifer we have. We also have a whole house aprilaire air cleaner attached to the furnace.</end quote></div>

I too have this humidifer system as well as the aprilaire air cleaner for 10 years now. I love both systems and sleep beautifully because of them.
 
J

Jem

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>julie61554</b></i>

We have a whole house humidifier. It is connected to our furnace. You can change the settings depending on how much humidity you want to put it the air. They are more expensive, but we have never had to worry about changing water or the water harboring bacteria, etc. We really like ours.



Julie 39 w/cf



Edited to add:



<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.aprilaire.com/index.php?znfAction=ProductsCat&category=humid
">http://www.aprilaire.com/index...&category=humid
</a>


I hope the link works. This is the humidifer we have. We also have a whole house aprilaire air cleaner attached to the furnace.</end quote></div>

I too have this humidifer system as well as the aprilaire air cleaner for 10 years now. I love both systems and sleep beautifully because of them.
 
J

Jem

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>julie61554</b></i>

We have a whole house humidifier. It is connected to our furnace. You can change the settings depending on how much humidity you want to put it the air. They are more expensive, but we have never had to worry about changing water or the water harboring bacteria, etc. We really like ours.



Julie 39 w/cf



Edited to add:



<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.aprilaire.com/index.php?znfAction=ProductsCat&category=humid
">http://www.aprilaire.com/index...&category=humid
</a>


I hope the link works. This is the humidifer we have. We also have a whole house aprilaire air cleaner attached to the furnace.</end quote></div>

I too have this humidifer system as well as the aprilaire air cleaner for 10 years now. I love both systems and sleep beautifully because of them.
 
M

mom2lillian

New member
Just a note that people with bad mold allergies shouldnt have plants because of the mold that is in the soil and released to the air. At least this is what I have been told/read. If you do keep plants I have read one idea of putting down foil over the dirt to reduce the amount of mold spores released into the air.

Lightnlife-not to hyjack the thread or anythign but I dont suppose you know anything about saltwater fish tanks affect on home air?
 
M

mom2lillian

New member
Just a note that people with bad mold allergies shouldnt have plants because of the mold that is in the soil and released to the air. At least this is what I have been told/read. If you do keep plants I have read one idea of putting down foil over the dirt to reduce the amount of mold spores released into the air.

Lightnlife-not to hyjack the thread or anythign but I dont suppose you know anything about saltwater fish tanks affect on home air?
 
M

mom2lillian

New member
Just a note that people with bad mold allergies shouldnt have plants because of the mold that is in the soil and released to the air. At least this is what I have been told/read. If you do keep plants I have read one idea of putting down foil over the dirt to reduce the amount of mold spores released into the air.

Lightnlife-not to hyjack the thread or anythign but I dont suppose you know anything about saltwater fish tanks affect on home air?
 
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