10
Model 1137 Humidifier Installation Manual
Breathe Healthier! Residential Whole House Indoor Air Quality
FAQ’s
1. How does a humidifier help with my allergies?
Dry air can lead to a host of problems for allergy and asthma sufferers. Dry climates, winter air, and artificial
heat all contribute to the discomfort by drying out your skin, throat and delicate sinus passages and airways
(which can contribute to sinusitis). Winter is an especially bad time for dry air as home heating systems,
especially forced-air systems, reduce the amount of moisture in the air while humidity levels outdoors typically
dip as well.
2. What range of humidity is ideal?
Research shows that 40-60% relative humidity is ideal. Outside this range, your risk of being adversely affected
increases.
3. How often should I change my Vapor Pad
®
?
We recommend replacing your Vapor Pad
®
at least once per year. Minerals build up on the vapor pad over
time, which in turn:
• Reduces the pad's ability to absorb water.
• Prevents the warm air from flowing through the pad (Warm air moving though the water-soaked pad
causes the water in the pad to evaporate. It is this process that delivers moisture throughout your home
via the home's duct system).
4. Can't I simply clean my Vapor Pad
®
instead of replacing it?
At the factory we put a coating on the Vapor Pad
®
that helps it absorb water and control water flow. This
coating is very efficient, however, it is also fragile. The coating is similar in composition to the minerals
that accumulate on the pad. If you subject the Vapor Pad
®
to cleaning, you usually remove much of the
coating and the pad becomes ineffective. This reduces the output of the humidifier and increases water
consumption.
Instead we recommend the Vapor Pad
®
be replaced each year.
5. Why would I want to install a humidifier?
For many reasons:
1. Since the air in your home is always trying to reach its saturation point, it will absorb water wherever
it can; from the bodies of you and your children, your pets, your furniture and even your house plants.
As a result your skin, throat and nasal passages dry out, leaving you more susceptible to physical
discomfort, colds, flu and even infection. Allergy and asthma sufferers can be especially affected by air
that's too dry.
2. Dry air causes dry, itchy skin.
3. Dry air cracks expensive woodwork, floors, musical instruments, artwork and furnishings.
4. Annoying static electricity (caused by dry air) can damage computers, VCR’s and other electronic
equipment, requiring expensive repair.
5. Dry air can cause harm to expensive musical instruments like pianos and violins.
6. Dry air causes gaps in window & door frames, letting cold outdoor air in; causing you to turn up the heat
and increasing your heating bills! Controlled humidity from a GeneralAire
®
Humidifier allows you the
luxury of dialing the thermostat back & reducing annual heating bills. For example, 68° at 40% relative
humidity feels just as warm as 74° at 20% humidity. Setting your thermostat back by as little as three
degrees can reduce annual heating bills by as much as 5%.
