Comfort
STEAM
TM
I n s t a l l a t i o n , O p e r a t i o n , & M a i n t e n a n c e M a n u a l
5
www.trioniaq.com
5. Start Up
The startup of the humidifier is done as follows:
•
Put the main power ON at the electrical panel. The green
pilot light comes ON. The humidifier is ready to work.
•
Open the water supply valve.
•
Adjust the knob on the humidistat.
Note: The humidifier may perform a flush cycle prior to producing
humidity. If the yellow drain LED is lit and the unit appears not
to be operating properly, allow the unit at least 15 minutes to
begin normal operation. This is considered normal as the control
system ensures that all systems are stable before operation.
Working Principle:
•
Unlike other types of humidifiers which produce humidity
by passing warm air on a water curtain, a rotating pad or
another type of media, this humidifier produces humidity
from steam dispersed directly into the supply duct.
•
A humidistat (installed either on the wall or the air return
duct) controls the unit. Adjust the setpoint of the humidistat
according to your need or comfort. Please read the next
section about the humidity control.
•
When the humidistat senses a need for humidity, it starts the
humidification process.
•
The tank fills with water.
•
The electronic control starts the fan in the furnace to move
the air as the humidifier starts boiling water and producing
steam. If the fan cannot start (i.e. there is no air movement
to transport the steam or insufficient air pressure), the
humidifier stops itself. Please note that it may take a few
minutes to bring the water to a boil. The steam exits the
water tank through the steam hose, moves to the steam
delivery tube installed in the warm air duct and is released
into the duct where it mixes with the moving air.
•
As water evaporates, the electric valve opens as needed to
replenish the water in the tank.
•
When the humidity reaches the desired level, the humidifier
stops producing steam. In order to eliminate the residues
and keep the tank as clean as possible, the humidifier also
drains after a certain number of boiling / refill cycles. This
is determined by the DIP switches on the lower right corner
of the electronic control board. If there is still a demand
from the humidistat after draining, the tank refills and starts
to produce steam again. This process is part of the self-
cleaning feature.
•
When the humidistat is satisfied, the fan continues to run for
a short period of time in order to eliminate the steam from
the ducts and the unit goes to ready mode, waiting for the
next call from the humidistat.
6. How to control the humidity
Humidity between 35-40% is desirable. However, you should
take the outside temperature into consideration before setting
the humidity level in order to avoid condensation on the windows.
If you installed a ComfortSteam humidistat and an outdoor sensor,
a setpoint adjustment will be done automatically as the outdoor
temperature falls. The outdoor sensor reduces the setting of the
humidistat according to the outdoor temperature during cold
days without having to set the humidistat knob manually.
It does the opposite during mild days. Please see the below table
for the percentage of relative humidity on the electronic humidistat
label. The middle of the scale corresponds to the middle of the
comfort zone, approximately 35% RH (Relative Humidity).
If you are using a mechanical or other humidistat, the adjustment
according to the outside temperature will have to be done
manually. For your information, the following table shows the
recommended setting of the humidistat according to the outside
temperature. Please see Fig. 3.
Outside Temp
Recommended Setting
-22°F (-30°C)
15%
-13°F (-25°C)
20%
-4°F (-20°C)
25%
+5°F (-30°C)
30%
+14°F (-10°C)
35%
above:
+23°F (-5°C)
40%
Figure 3
No matter which humidistat system you are using, please
be aware that the humidity level cannot adjust quickly. It may
take some time to build up the humidity to your comfort level.
Depending on the dryness of the house, carpets, furniture,
drapes and wood will absorb moisture before you can feel the
change.
If the house remains unoccupied during the winter season,
set the humidistat to the minimum set point in order to prevent
condensation.
HOMEOWNER
