Heating Help

Humidifier Question

I have radiant heatpresently heating my house. I also have a gas forced air system. Can I run the forced air system with a humidifier "without" the burner firing?

Depends...

What make and model is your humidifier?

Humidifier Question

I do not have a wholehouse unit at this point. Trying to decide if it is a feasible way to go or should I get "portable" units.
Thanks

Can Be Done...

With a steam or flow-through type humidifier. A flow-through would have to be connected to the hot water line and provision made to energize the fan on a call for humidity. One of Honeywell's TH8000 series thermostats can provide this function, plus humidity control. Their "True Steam" humidifiers have the fan function built in. You would need a humidistat + an isolation relay added with most standard flow-through units.

A flow-through connected to gas water heater should cost less to operate than the steam unit because gas is generally cheaper than electricity for heating water.

I would not use any type of humidifier that has a reservoir, fixed or portable. They are breeding ground for mold and bacteria.