Humidifier Evaporator Pads

Humidifier evaporator pads (sometimes referred to as a filter) are a regular replacement item in whole-house humidifiers. All new humidifiers include one pad with them which should be replaced annually, or more often if the humidifier operates on particularly hard water. All humidifier pads offered here are original manufacturer replacements, not generic.

For optimal Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), it is essential to keep your furnace filters and humidifier pads functioning properly. Get instructions for changing furnace filters and humidifier pads. Replace your furnace filters and humidifier pads at least once every six months and you will breathe better.

Purchase your furnace filters, humidifier pads and other replacement parts from us and we will remind you when it is time to replace your furnace filters and humidifier pads again.

Q&A

What’s the best setting for my humidistat?

For the greatest comfort and best indoor air quality in your home, set your humidistat between 30 and 40% humidity. At that level, health-endangering conditions (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, mites, ozone production, etc) are greatly reduced.

How much humidity should I have in my home?

The short answer is 35%; however, the ideal range by most research is between 40% and 60%, if the home is properly constructed to handle humidity that high. That is why the compromise level agreed to by ARI Standards is 35%.

I’m getting too much humidity. What should I do?

Make sure your humidifier is set to the proper setting. See question 1. If the set point is below the actual humidity in the space, and the control is operating properly, the humidifier is not contributing to the problem. You may need to increase ventilation to maintain the proper level of humidity.

How often should I service my humidifier?

This will vary depending upon the type of humidifier you have, the hardness of your water and the operating time of your unit. If you have a Vita flow-thru unit or if you have a reservoir-type humidifier with an automatic flushing timer (HC40), once a year is generally sufficient. Contact your HVAC contractor for advice specific to your needs.

Which Vita humidifier is best for my home?

This question takes an in-depth answer due to the complexity of selecting the proper humidifier for each application. Listed below are the factors you must consider to properly determine the correct units:

Size of area to be humidified
Climate
Type of heating system
Level of control (Rh maintenance level)
Water quality and cost

Should my humidifier operate during the summer months?

Because summer air is naturally more humid in most parts of the country, it is generally not necessary to humidify during the summer months. In fact, dehumidification is often desirable. Fortunately, your air conditioner is an effective dehumidifier. There are parts of the country where the climate requires humidification in conjunction with cooling to maintain proper indoor air quality. This specific application requires in depth knowledge of psychometric conditions throughout the HVAC system. Consult an HVAC contractor experienced in this application.

Why is humidification so important in a new home?

First to improve healthiness of the home by limiting the growth of bacteria, viruses, etc. The second is to protect the structure itself. New home interiors today are often enhanced by the use of expensive hardwood for floors, staircases, hand railings, cabinets, door trim and miscellaneous mouldings. Most of this woodwork is manufactured in a controlled environment of about 50% relative humidity. If you take these moisture-sensitive hardwoods and move them from the humidified mill to an unhumidified home, they are suddenly exposed to a rapid drop in humidity. The unavoidable result is shrinkage that cheapens the appearance and value of the home.

What about pollution from my humidifier? Do they pollute?

Evaporative type humidifiers evaporate pure water vapour. They do not pollute. In a research program conducted at Penn State University in 1989, these type of units were tested and found not to emit any harmful bacteria.

How do you measure humidity?

Humidity is expressed by measuring the amount of moisture present at a given temperature versus the amount of moisture the air is capable of holding at the same temperature. This moisture level is expressed as a percentage, measured by using a sling psychomotor and psychometric charts or an electronic analogue type hygrometer.

Can I use a humidifier with an electronic air cleaner?

Yes. Evaporative type humidifiers release water as pure vapour. Water vapour will not create any problems with an electronic air cleaner. Misting or spray type units mounted on the return air plenum could cause problems with an electronic air cleaner.

I’m not getting enough humidity. What’s wrong?

This is a very difficult question to answer due to the many things that can cause low humidity output. The first thing to determine is if the application is properly sized. Other things to look for include humidity losses due to high air change rates or inoperative humidifier, due to electrical, water supply or air flow problems.

How much water should my humidifier use? My water bill went up after they installed mine.

Drum and steam units use only the water that they evaporate, unless a flushing timer is used. If a flushing timer is used, these units will use 5-7 gallons per day in addition to what is evaporated. A flow thru unit will use between 3-4 gallons of water per hour of operation; 0.5 to 0.75 of a gallon will be evaporated per hour to condition the air, while the rest flows down the humidifier pad. As it does so, the water flushes mineral deposits down the drain, thereby allowing longer service intervals between pad replacements.

When it’s very cold outside I get condensation on my windows. What can be done?

This problem occurs because the temperature of the surface of the windows has fallen below the dew point of the air in the living space, causing water to condense on the window. The only way to correct this without replacing all your windows with higher efficiency windows is to lower the humidity set point, so that the dew point drops below the temperature of the window. That is why many humidity controls come with a table of recommended set points that get lower with colder outside temperatures.

How often should the humidifier pad be replaced, and how is it done?

Vita recommends annual humidifier pad replacement, especially in areas with hard water. Replacing the pad takes only a minute or two. Loosen one thumbscrew and the cover easily lifts off. Remove the humidifier pad assembly, which unsnaps easily, and drop in the new pad. Replacement humidifier pads are available from your heating and air conditioning contractor and most retailers.