Understanding Humidity - Kenmore 303.147012 Owner's Manual

THANK YOU!
Thank you for selectinga Sears Humidifier.It willprovideyears of service if you give it a littlecare.
UNDERSTANDING HUMIDITY
Humiditycan be puzzling. It cannot be seen, heard, touched,
smelledor tasted. Many people do not understandwhata humidi-
fier will or will not do.
Probablythe best way to judge whether the humidityis too high,
too low or aboutright isto watchyour windows.If they are heavily
fogged you most likelyhave too much. If there is no moistureon
them at all, especiallyin the corners,you have too little. (NOTE:
Moisturewill not normallyformon thermopaneor whenstorm win.
dows are used.) ff there is some moisturein the windowcorners
and alongthe edges,the humidityisjustabout right.This isa good
role of thumb, it you do not have an expensivepiece of testing
equipment. Y ourcomfortis another good check.
TYPICAL QUESTIONS ASKED
1. Why do moisture requirements vary from home to home?
Requirementsdepend on the amount and drynessof airto be
humidified. T he largerand more looselyconstructed the home,
the greaterthe quantityof moisture required.
5. Whet else causes static shock besides low humidity?
Some typesof carpets tend to create more staticthan others.
While the properhumiditylevel will reduce the static level, it
may noteliminatestaticentirely.
2. How can I best check my home's relative humidity?
First give your humidifiertime to build up the humidityto an
acceptablelevel. Instrumentsare availableto measure relative
humidity,but from a practical standpoint,your comfortis the
best guide.You cannot depend on table top or wall hung dial
gauges.
3. How long will It take my humidifier to build up the
humidity In my home?
Much dependson the outsidetemperature,timeof year, home
construction, and howdriedout the home hasbecome.In soma
cases, it may take a week or mare.
4. What are some of the common things that cause higher
then average sir leakage In the home, therefore causing
low humidity?
A. Jalousiewindows
B. Open fireplacedampers
C. Cracks aroundwindows end doors
D. Open doors end windows
E. Unusuallylarge attic or foundationvents
F. Range hoodsand bath fans
6. What Is the safe humidity level for my home?
In order to determinethe safe relativehumidityfor homes ex-
posedtovariouslow outside temperatures,NESCA* conducted
tests and publishedrecommendedhumiditylevelsfor various
outdoortemperatures.These are shown in the chart. These
levels help preventdamage to your home such as water run-
ning downthe walls or even buildingup insidethe walls.
The safe indoorrelativehumiditypementageis nota fixednum-
ber but will increaseor decrease as the outdoortemperatures
rise or fall.
Outside Temperatures
-10 ° F
0 ° F
10° F
20 ° F
30 ° F
Maximum Safe Recommended
Indoor Relative Humidity
20%
25%
30%
35%
35%
*NESCA - Ndonal Environmental S ystemsContractorsAuociation.
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