really dry air

[pbudnek]

Recently purchased a new home built in 2003, and was told that it was a very "tightly" built energy efficient home. When moving in installed a new trane heat pump so as not to be only dependent on natural gas. Noticing that it is very dry in the house and wondering if the new heatpump can suck moisture out of the air? Have changed filter religiously, and cannot figure out why there is no humidity, specially since I live in the NW and it has rained continously for 3 months. What could cause the lack of humidy inside, and could the ducting have leaks that are pulling from uderneath the house, because this unit is making my family very sick.

[Phelps]

So you bought the home from some other party that had it built but only lived in it less than 3 years? is that the case? If so...hmmmmmmm. It's making family members sick? Is it forced air heat?

The place I live in leaks like a seive and I am wiling to pay for the extra heat as I theorize that I am getting a better turn over of air in the place and less likely to get sick rebreathing the same...which is a separate issue from the humidy problem. I figure that I either pay more for heat?...or...pay to see doctors more often from breathing in other people's germs and CO2.

[pbudnek]

Yeah it came with natural gas heat, but with prices increasing thaought heat pump would be good. Never thought of the co2 issue since there are 6 living in 1600 sq feet, will research that. As for the builder, we are 3rd owner, as it was built on spec then flipped then flipped again.

[Phelps]

I wouldn't lose any sleep over what I said about the carbon dioxide. But I am just pointing out that I believe it is healthier to be breathing fresh clean air.

About your lack of humidity though..that is interesting to have a place that is in an area that is fairly humid to be able to get so un-humid.

Naturally you could get a humidifier, but with all those people in the house...if your budget can accomodate, I would think I might want to try some venting of that house, if it is that air-tight that it can make such a huge difference in the humidity. And with 6 people inthe house, yo would think cokking and showers woudloffset the furnace. Hmmmm. Better be sure to tell everyone to not just shower at Christmas, and not to eat out at McDonald's every day. Start showering more and steaming vegetables, and boiling up pasta

[pbudnek]

very good, will set to have showers every other hour, and then steam up some veggies in the evening, really like your ideas, as they make perfect sense in a world of imperfection. Will tell the kids, no more eating out and we will pursue a more tropical lifestyle. You made me laugh thanks.

[Phelps]

Ha.

But seriously, I have been in Hmong rentals where they have just the opposite of you do, and the place is like a tropical rainforest in the house from the showers, hanging up wet clothes in the bathrom that they washed by hand, and from steaming all their food. In fact, this one house, they caused the paint to peel off the clapboard siding because of all the moisture migration through the walls. Seriously.