Best place to set the evaporative humidifier?

[greenpassion]

I have ordered a large room evaporative humidifier. I already have two smaller ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers running in this large kitchen living room area where I have many orchids and several other house plants. I have forced hot air heat, and one heating duct in the living room. My question is since there's hot air blowing up through this heat duct would it be beneficial for me to place the evaporative humidifier next to the heat duct? Or should I have it across the room.? I purchased this because even with two small cool air mist humidifiers it's a struggle to keep the humidity up without using a pot on the stove. I want to be able to have the room right around 50% humidity throughout this winter. And I'm hoping these three units will do it. The room is not closed off. One end of the room opens up to a hallway that leads to bedrooms. the other part of the room opens up to the staircase that goes to the upstairs. it would be so much easier if it was just a closed room but it isn't.

[rbarata]

Without the humidifiers and pots on the stove, what's your natural HR?

[greenpassion]

It would probably be around 38 or a little lower. That may not be harmful two plants I don't know, but I'm not happy with those numbers. I want it to be higher because I want them to be happier!

[DeaC]

Have you considered purchasing a hygrometer? They're inexpensive and usually part of a temperature gadget that's used in the home for such purposes. I have 2 ultrasonic humidifiers placed about 10ft apart near the orchids and also have forced hot air heat. My humidity levels stay around 50 percent. Humidity trays placed under the plants also supplement nicely. Best I can do.

[greenpassion]

Yes I have three of them. Tells me the temps and the humidity levels.

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------

I'm thinking part of the problem is is that this is a very old house and I know that would and rugs and furniture and all that stuff absorbs moisture in the air. And as again I said before this is not a large closed room it is a large room with two different areas that lead to different parts of the house. I'm probably way over thinking all this which I am prone to do.

[Ray]

If you have forced, hot air, why not add a whole-house humidifier to the plenum?

Last time I had hot air heating, it was simply a misting nozzle controlled by a humidistat - simple, cheap, effective.

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[greenpassion]

I haven't looked into it Ray, but I just assumed I could not afford a whole house humidifier.

[rbarata]

And as again I said before this is not a large closed room it is a large room with two different areas that lead to different parts of the house.

This is your main problem. In theory, you'll need to achieve 50% everywhere in your house that comunicates to the growing room. The type of equipment and the cost would make me think immediately in another solution.

I think you need something more "localized", maybe a cool mist humidifier aiming your growing area.

About the hygrometer, I completely agree. That's an essential tool for your growing area, even more if you're trying to achieve certain values. Without it you'll be only guessing.

[greenpassion]

Oh yes. I see what you mean now. I have been reading that when people buy humidifiers regardless of what kind it takes several days to get the humidity to stay because the area has to be humidified for several days. But here I am trying to humidify a large room that's open and several other areas to other rooms and it's just not happening. And that's why. And I currently do have the two ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers each one right beside the two main growing areas. One is my East living room window and the other is the one that's under the track lighting. But again as far as the evaporative humidifier that will be here on Friday, I don't really know where I should put it in this room. Maybe I shouldn't have bought it in the first place?

[rbarata]

Maybe I shouldn't have bought it in the first place?

Well....maybe...

Another think you should consider is the type of plants you're growing...and remember, a lot of plants packed in one relatively small area it's enough to increase the HR in the vicinity of that area.
That's why a hygrometer is a valuable tool in this case.