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Author Winter Water Usage
Marc

2006-04-29, 2:21 pm

According to my wife, each year between say November to February our water
usage goes up about 20%. We live in southern Ontario.

She says it's caused by the humidifier on our furnace. I highly doubt that.
It is the drip type, not the drum type. Each fall I check to make sure the
water flow is adequate to moisten the panel, without spilling a lot into the
overflow. I also make sure it the water only flows when it should: fan
running and humistat switched on. We don't run the fan manually.

As for the water consumption, I think it probably has to do with wearing
heavier clothing which would lead to more laundry loads.

Any thoughts?

Marc



SQLit

2006-04-29, 2:21 pm


"Marc" <landryma@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:125756kd7ppukb3@corp.supernews.com...
> According to my wife, each year between say November to February our water
> usage goes up about 20%. We live in southern Ontario.
>
> She says it's caused by the humidifier on our furnace. I highly doubt

that.
> It is the drip type, not the drum type. Each fall I check to make sure

the
> water flow is adequate to moisten the panel, without spilling a lot into

the
> overflow. I also make sure it the water only flows when it should: fan
> running and humistat switched on. We don't run the fan manually.
>
> As for the water consumption, I think it probably has to do with wearing
> heavier clothing which would lead to more laundry loads.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Marc


I used to have a evaporative cooler for the hot months with low humidity in
Arizona.
Then I specifically paid attention to the actual water usage of the cooler.
What I saved in electricity I spent on water. Water bill would double to
triple the months I used the evap cooler.

I will bet that your both right.


m Ransley

2006-04-29, 3:21 pm

You can only evaporate per hour what the system takes the rest is down
the drain, a humidifier should not use enough water to make a big
difference. If your thermostat has a hour meter you can roughly figure
out run time and measure the waste overflow per hour, Maybe a smaller
line or reducing the flow will help, I do less laundry loads in winter
and water outside in summer, in winter even with a humidifier water use
is much less.

Edwin Pawlowski

2006-04-29, 3:21 pm


"Marc" <landryma@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:125756kd7ppukb3@corp.supernews.com...
> According to my wife, each year between say November to February our water
> usage goes up about 20%. We live in southern Ontario.
>
> She says it's caused by the humidifier on our furnace. I highly doubt
> that.
> It is the drip type, not the drum type. Each fall I check to make sure
> the
> water flow is adequate to moisten the panel, without spilling a lot into
> the
> overflow. I also make sure it the water only flows when it should: fan
> running and humistat switched on. We don't run the fan manually.
>
> As for the water consumption, I think it probably has to do with wearing
> heavier clothing which would lead to more laundry loads.
>
> Any thoughts?


Both may be right. My humidifier adds a few gallons a day. That is only a
toilet flush or two, but YMMV. Other habits may change also, longer hot
shower? More elaborate meals with more dishes to wash?

FWIW, my grandson added $50+ to our utilities with the added laundry and
drying.


Rich256

2006-04-29, 3:21 pm

SQLit wrote:
> "Marc" <landryma@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:125756kd7ppukb3@corp.supernews.com...
> that.
> the
> the
>
> I used to have a evaporative cooler for the hot months with low humidity in
> Arizona.
> Then I specifically paid attention to the actual water usage of the cooler.
> What I saved in electricity I spent on water. Water bill would double to
> triple the months I used the evap cooler.
>
> I will bet that your both right.
>
>


How much were you using? Mine usage increases too (Denver area) but
most of the water goes for outside watering.

I think I run off more water to keep the mineral content down than I
evaporate.
LinkBot





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