Smart Home Kt

[Blicj11]

Grand and other WC RCP client users:

This past winter I installed a humidifier in our mountain home. We have radiant heat, no A/C, and therefore, no way to humidify the inside air. The outside climate is extremely arid and during the winter, the internal humidity just gets drier and drier. Normal internal humidity during the winter is in the single digits, which is not only unhealthy, but creates lot of static electricity opportunities. Hence, the need for a humidifier.

I selected a small unit from Aprilaire that uses electrode technoloy to produce steam. Electrical current flows between submerged electrodes, resistance of the water to the electric current heats the water.  The submerged electrodes are located in a replaceable canister. A small electric fan blows humid air into our home. The thing works like a charm. In fact, when it was brand new, we were gone for a week and the humidistat malfunctioned. When we returned home, the internal humidity was 88%. Yes, we had water running down every internal glass surface we had.

Not trusting the cheap Aprilaire humidistat (manufactured by Honeywell) I opted for an ecobee smart home thermostat, which I was able to program to control the internal humidity. I have a very fancy smart thermostat but am only using it for humidity. I was able to connect the ecobee with Apple's Home Kit and now I can check on and regulate internal humidity from my iPhone.

However, the easiest and most simple way to check humidity is to use the WeatherCatRCP iOS app with its awesome Dial-A-Stat feature. I can instantly check the humidity level and see the 1-hour delta.

Grand, you are a genius and I thank you for this wonderful app.

[The Grand Poohbah]

Grand, you are a genius and I thank you for this wonderful app.

*Blush* Ah Shucks! *Blush*

I am so very happy that WeatherCatRCP is helpful for you. Thanks for letting me know.

--grand

[elagache]

Dear Blick, Grand, and WeatherCat "need to get stuff done around the house" types,

This past winter I installed a humidifier in our mountain home. We have radiant heat, no A/C, and therefore, no way to humidify the inside air. The outside climate is extremely arid and during the winter, the internal humidity just gets drier and drier. Normal internal humidity during the winter is in the single digits, which is not only unhealthy, but creates lot of static electricity opportunities. Hence, the need for a humidifier.

Yes, I understand your needs.  We don't have such an extreme problem, but even in Northern California the house humidity tends to be dry.  In winter the forced air heating removes humidity.  In the summer the heat is always low humidity and the air conditioner removes even more moisture from the air.

I selected a small unit from Aprilaire that uses electrode technoloy to produce steam. Electrical current flows between submerged electrodes, resistance of the water to the electric current heats the water.  The submerged electrodes are located in a replaceable canister. A small electric fan blows humid air into our home. The thing works like a charm. . . . .

I suppose it is permanently mounted in the house and is connected to the water supply so it can never run out of water?

In fact, when it was brand new, we were gone for a week and the humidistat malfunctioned. When we returned home, the internal humidity was 88%. Yes, we had water running down every internal glass surface we had.

So sorry that you suffered such an unpleasant failure.  It is disappointing that internal humidistat isn't more bullet-proof even that the humidifier has unlimited water.

Not trusting the cheap Aprilaire humidistat (manufactured by Honeywell) I opted for an ecobee smart home thermostat, which I was able to program to control the internal humidity. I have a very fancy smart thermostat but am only using it for humidity. I was able to connect the ecobee with Apple's Home Kit and now I can check on and regulate internal humidity from my iPhone.

However, the easiest and most simple way to check humidity is to use the WeatherCatRCP iOS app with its awesome Dial-A-Stat feature. I can instantly check the humidity level and see the 1-hour delta.

That's a nice use of home automation technology!  Congratulations!  In our case we can live with two humidifiers that have water storage tanks, so the humidity is limited by that capacity.  Even so on hot days with lots of A/C use, the house can easily absorb 4 gallons of water per day.  Obviously, filling those days is one more chore I have to do!

Cheers, Edouard 

[xairbusdriver]

Edouard, I would hope water is already connected to those tanks. In which case a standard toilet re-filling system (<$ 15 at any hardware store) should keep them above empty without even needing electricity (surely the water department has their own generators to keep water lines pressurized!).

My plumbing services and advice, while cheap, are limited by the distance between us... fortunately!

[Blicj11]

I selected a small unit from Aprilaire that uses electrode technoloy to produce steam. Electrical current flows between submerged electrodes, resistance of the water to the electric current heats the water.  The submerged electrodes are located in a replaceable canister. A small electric fan blows humid air into our home. The thing works like a charm. . . . .

I suppose it is permanently mounted in the house and is connected to the water supply so it can never run out of water?

Yes, connected to the supply and auto-fills. Very convenient!