How To Diagnose Your Humidifier Problem

Problem:
No water through humidifier.

Test:
1. Verify manual water shut off valve is open.
2. Loosen incoming water line at solenoid valve or float valve. If water squirts out you are OK up to this point. If no water squirts out, go to water valve  & loosen water line at that point. If no water squirts out then the water valve is either closed or plugged with dirt or rust.

 Solution:
Replace saddle valve or clear water valve.

Problem:
Water to solenoid valve or float valve inlet but no water out of solenoid valve or float valve assembly.

Test:
1. Verify the solenoid valve has electricity by turning thermostat way up on furnace to force it to run. Then turn humidistat from maximum to minimum back and forth. This will make the solenoid valve open and close and you should hear a clicking noise at the solenoid valve. If it does click and you still have no water out of the solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is bad and needs replaced.
 

Solution A:
1. Replace solenoid valve assembly. OR
2. If you have a float valve with water to it but none out, the float valve assembly is plugged and needs replaced.

Solution B:
Replace float valve assembly.

Problem:
Water will not shut off and keeps running out of solenoid valve or float valve.

Test:
1. Carefully disconnect ONE wire going to the solenoid valve. This should make the solenoid valve close and you should hear a clicking noise at the solenoid valve. If it does click and close the problem is with your control system. If the water does NOT shut off, the solenoid valve is bad and needs replaced.
 

Solution A:
1. Replace solenoid valve assembly. OR
2. If you have a float valve that will not shut off or keeps dripping, the float valve assembly needs replaced.

Solution B:
Replace float valve assembly.

Problem:
Drum motor makes a humming noise or clicking noise but does not turn. Motor needs replaced.

Solution:
Replace motor.

Problem:
Humidity level in home is too low.

Test:
Verify the humidistat setting is high enough to get where you need the humidity level to be. Also verify that the humidifier is actually running when your heating system comes on. Do this by temporarily raising the thermostat setting as well as the humidity setting. You should be able to hear your humidifier running at that time. If you have a vertical humidifier filter and a drain line attached to the humidifier you should also see a small trickle of water coming out the drain line. This is normal for humidifiers that have an electric solenoid valve on them.

Solution:
Humidifiers require periodic maintenance AT LEAST once per year. Models that have a water basin in them that holds water and also have a float valve assembly require maintenance every 2 months during the humidifier season. Humidifier filters or (pads) must be replaced at least once per year (more often if you have very hard water. Sponge, paper or aluminum humidifier filters are NOT cleanable or washable. Failure to maintain your humidifier and replace the humidifier filters will reduce the capacity of the humidifier, reduce the units life and possibly damage your heating system and ductwork.