How to know if humidifier is working?

That doesn’t look right.

I have never seen a humidifier enclosed. It does not make any sense to put it into the duct work. It would obstruct air flow.

My guess is that it was removed. I don’t see any wires from the controller going anywhere.

Trace where the water supply line goes. Aluminium tape is relatively inexpensive if you need to look inside.

Gee wrote: ↑ That doesn’t look right.

I have never seen a humidifier enclosed. It does not any senes to put it into the duct work. It would obstruct air flow.

My guess is that it was removed. I don’t see any wires from the controller going anywhere.

Looks like it. It probably stopped working or was leaking so they took it off and covered the hole.

Agreed with the posters above - looks like the actual humidifier unit was removed leaving only the humidistat Hope the water line wasn't connected by a saddle valve

gumby wrote: ↑ Agreed with the posters above - looks like the actual humidifier unit was removed leaving only the humidistat Hope the water line wasn't connected by a saddle valve

Most likely it was...

They should stop selling those pieces of liability.

It looks like there may have been an air cleaner attached to the same duct along with the humidifier.

From the kind of humidistat, it looks like previous owners had drum type humidifier which not only always leak but also causes bacteria growth and mold due to standing water. You are lucky that it was removed and patched.

Jabb wrote: ↑ Bought a new place and the humidifier seems to be entirely enclosed within metal siding....how do I know if this is connected and working? I tried turning it on but its not easy to tell if its working or not.


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You should consider reinstalling another one.

I recently removed my old drum humidifier and covered the opening with a plate similar to what OP's pictures show, BUT I also removed the humidistat and put a plate over that opening so that future homeowners here won't have to puzzle over whether or not the furnace has an humidifier.

newlyborn wrote: ↑ From the kind of humidistat, it looks like previous owners had drum type humidifier which not only always leak but also causes bacteria growth and mold due to standing water. You are lucky that it was removed and patched.

Fair - Whats the latest and greatest in the world of humidifiers? There's hardwood in the house so I'm surprised it wasnt replaced with anything else.

Depending upon the size of the house there are many options available today.
1 Bypass flow-through type humidifier - most economical to buy and maintain
2 Fan assisted - suitable for larger homes or when efficiency is critical. However not always doable as this humidifier only mounts on supply side ( most preferred way)
3 Steam humidifier- most efficient but most expensive to buy and even more expensive to maintain. For optimum output you need to have 220 V and separate breaker

Jabb wrote: ↑ Fair - Whats the latest and greatest in the world of humidifiers? There's hardwood in the house so I'm surprised it wasnt replaced with anything else.

Thanks for the info! Anyone have a reliable provider they've worked with to install one? I'm thinking the bypass or flow through humidifier.

Jabb wrote: ↑ Thanks for the info! Anyone have a reliable provider they've worked with to install one? I'm thinking the bypass or flow through humidifier.

Where are you located - I know on this forum many members have had great interactions with @newlyborn and @fourseasoncomfort in the general GTHA. If you're located elsewhere I'm sure someone can give you a referance.