FAQs
What is this website for?
Humidibee is a service for people who have an ecobee thermostat that has a dehumidifier, humidifier, hrv, or erv connected to it.
This service works similar to the ecobee "Frost Control" setting but it is not limited to humidifiers only AND you get to choose
the settings that work best for you.
Humidibee can also help you if you do not have a dehumidifier, humidifier, hrv, or erv connected to your system. This service sets
your desired humidity level on your thermostat AND sends you emails. If you don't have any of the listed devices connected to your
thermostat the setting of the desired humidity won't help you BUT you will also get the emails that will tell you its time to
manually do something about the humidity level.
What are the requirements to use this site?
Humidibee requires an ecobee thermostat, a dehumidifier, humidifer, erv or hrv hooked up and able to be controlled by the ecobee
thermostat. If your ecobee control any of these devices right now then you are all set!!
The best method to use this site is to setup your dehumidifier device through the ecobee app and get it all working properly. Then
let Humidibee handle the adjustment for you!
Does Humidibee change my software on my thermostat?
NO! Humidibee does not modify any software on the thermostat or "hack" the thermostat. Humidibee simply updates the desired humidity level on the thermostat automatically for you instead of you doing it manually. Then the ecobee does the rest as it always has done before.
Why does my humidity level need to be changed?
There are many factors that contribute to excessive or lack of humidity in a house. Age of house, insulation type, window type etc. are a few factors that contribute to less than ideal humidity. In northern climates, winter weather throws another variable into the mix. In Manitoba, where I live, winter temperatures reach below -25c on a regular basis. When you combine that with a house that has been sealed up tight we run into an issue of excess humidity. These same weather conditions combined with an older less tight house can lead to a lack of humidity situation. In a house thats built tight, the colder the weather gets the less humidity we can have lingering around in the house. In the best case scenarios excess humidity causes ice on windows and could cause windows and doors to freeze closed. In more serious cases moisture damage can occur and mold can grow and may result in health concerns.
How can I tell if I have too much humdity in my house?
In the summer, the best way to tell if you have too much humidity is to buy a hygrometer. In the summer, a humidity level around 40-60% is
acceptable. Keeping in mind that lower humidity levels help you feel cooler. For example. If you have an indoor humidity level of 60%
and your air conditioner is set to 24c it might feel hot. In contrast, if you have an indoor humidity of 40% and the air conditioner is
set to 26c you will feel very comfortable and so will your wallet.
In the winter, in addition to the hygrometer, the best way to tell if you have too much humidity in your house is to monitor your windows.
If your windows have condensation for an extended period of time then you have too much humidity in the house. But, keep in mind that
condensation on windows does not immediately indicate a problem. For example, Lets say its -25c outside, you are doing dishes and there
is a window by the sink. It perfectly normal for condensation to collect on that window. If condensation doesn't dissipate on its own or
it stays long enough to turn to ice you should take measures to reduce the humidity in the house.
If you should end up with ice on your windows, don't panic and DO NOT TRY TO CHIP THE ICE AWAY! Leave the ice as it is and just try to
reduce the humidity level in the house. Between the house heat and lower humidity the ice should disappear on its own.
What are the best settings to use??
The best settings are unique to your house. In other words, there are no "BEST" settings. There are many factors that determine how much humidity a house can handle. Types of windows, fireplace (including storing wood inside) , carpet & carpet type , furnace type and even live plants can affect indoor humidity. You will have to do some trial and error to see what works best for you. When it comes to humidity, its best to have too little than too much. This, of course, does not apply to homes that have special needs like hardwood floors, expensive wood furniture and most importantly, Musical Instruments. Winter nose bleeds are also an indication of a humidity level that it too low. If you have special humidity considerations, Humidibee is perfect for you but will require more experimentation on your part to figure out which settings work best for your home.