Humidifier Leak

[JiminMN]

I live in a 2-story townhome and for the second time in 2 years my humidifier (whole-house Lennox) leaked water all over the utility room floor. My furnace is upstairs so the water leaked down through the floor and dripped from the ceiling downstairs causing it to be damaged.

The first time it happened we couldn't figure out why, I had a building contractor and the guy who installed the humidifer check it and they couldn't find any leaks, etc. -- I continued operating the humidifier, checking it carefully every day, with no problems for a year.

Now that it has happened for a second time, we tested it more thoroughly and determined it leaked due to a plugged water panel/filter. The water was trickling down the panel, hitting a dirty spot on the filter, and then dribbling forward, collecting at the bottom of the housing and eventually dripping to the floor. I did replace the filter approximately 4 months ago, and I believe recommended replacement is every year.

My questions are as follows:

1) Is this normal? Why is the filter becoming so clogged after 4 months - hard water perhaps?

2) I really need the humidifier due to the dry cold winter air here. In order to continue operation, I thought I would do the following:

-Buy or make a drain pan like what is under my hot water heater, with a hose that goes directly into the drain, and put it under the humidifier. I'm not sure if this will work since the water could still dribble between the drain pan and the furnace ductwork.

-Buy a water sensor (I have no idea how these work but I have seen them for sale). It is supposed to alert you when water is present in an area.

-Replace the water panel every 2 months during the heating season (could get very expensive, I believe the panels are $15-$20 each).

-Possibly (down the road) get a water softener - don't know if this is the cause of the dirty water panel for sure so may not be necessary.

Any thoughts or other suggestions on this issue are appreciated. I think it is kind of silly that I am going to such lengths to get the humidifier to work, I would think the humidifier would be sealed enough so this wouldn't happen and all the excess water would go directly to the drain hose anyway.

[mrcaptainbob]

You're correct on all counts. A water softener would certainly help, but pricey. Try soaking that filter/panel in straight white vinegar few about 5/10 minutes. Maybe even the top drain pan that sets over that filter could use an occasional cleaning in a vinegar bath as well.

[coflyfisher]

Water softener may not be your answer. Soft water deposits are generally larger than hard water and may plug a panel faster. Are you sure the water panel is in right side up. There should be a painted line on TOP usually red or black. If the water panel is in wrong the water will flow to the outside of the panel. Once the water is flowing on the outside it does not take much to get the water off the panel.

Just my thoughts.

[tricia]

What would cause a heat pump to make a sound of metal hitting metal the sound is outside in my unit.

[bbgru1]

quote:Originally posted by bbgru1

[bbgru1]

you should also check the drain line could be plugd and this will make water back up into the water pad and into the unit as well