How To Connect a Humidifier on a Furnace
Two types of furnace humidifiers are manufactured. The flow-through type of humidifier has water move through it and drains. The reservoir type of humidifier has water stored in a drum and rotates. The flow-through humidifier is the most common. It connects to the air return duct and hot air supply. Installing a flow-through humidifier will take approximately eight hours with no complications. The reservoir humidifier installs on the vertical warm air supply or cold air return plenum, but it is more difficult to install. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Tin snips
- Phillips screwdriver
- Drill
- 3/32-inch drill bit
- Hammer
- Level
- Center punch
- Pencil
- Flow-through humidifier
- Flow-through humidifier installation kit (Includes all screws, sensor, solenoid valve, templates, nuts and humidistat)
Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.
A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.
Instructions
-
-
1
Shut off the electricity to the furnace. Decide the location for the humidifier on the return side of the furnace. The unit is reversible so location is not a problem. Select the top and fasten the water diffuser, using two 1/2-inch #6 screws, provided with the humidifier installation kit. Install the solenoid valve which is mounted on the plastic bracket on top of the humidifier. Insert plastic tube extending from valve into the hole in the humidifier making sure it is seated. Fasten valve to humidifier using the 1/2-inch #6 screws. Install the plastic pad retainer.
-
2
Draw a level line on the furnace 4 inches from the top. Put the humidifier template on line and punch your screw marks. Remove the template and cut the plenum opening. Check to see that the ribs of the humidifier will fit inside the plenum opening. Check to ensure the humidifier is level. Attach humidifier to furnace using the 3/4-inch #8 screws provided.
-
-
3
Install metal collar with the four 3/8-inch #8 screws provided. Slide the damper into the humidifier side opening and listen for it to snap into place. Place the damper knob on the front of unit. Cut the flex duct to length from the flex duct opening to the metal collar, leaving no sag. Install the flex duct to the air intake collar. Secure using plastic pins placed through vinyl in between the two reinforcement wires.
-
4
Slide the evaporator pad into the bottom of the humidifier. Lock the pad into place using the pad retainer. Insert the water supply tube into the electric valve. Tighten the compression nut. Install the water supply valve on your nearest water line. The hot water line is optimal for increased evaporation. Install the electronic controller closest to the humidifier unit. Install the transformer to the relay that activates the furnace in heat mode.
-
5
Install the humidistat on the flat vertical side of the return duct. Use the template and place 6 to 8 inches from the humidifier top. Mark and drill. Remove template. Cut the opening and remove the cover to the humidistat. Push quick connectors on the two humidistat terminals. Run the two wires through the opening at the humidistat bottom. Put the humidistat in opening, and make sure it is level.
-
6
Open the saddle valve. Turn on the electricity and set your furnace to heat. Let run several cycles until the water is seen running through drain tube. Check to see if water is running evenly across the evaporator pad. Check the water supply tubes for leaks and tightness. Affix the humidistat faceplate cover. Affix the knob. Set the humidistat settings. Install adhesive nameplate after checking humidifier operation after several heat cycles.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Follow manufacturer's instructions for any alterations of installation procedure.
Be careful of sharp cut sheet metal edges to avoid cuts.
