Electrode vs resistive steam humidifiers

Electrode and resistive are the two main types of electric steam humidifier a HVAC contractor will buy and install. Both are versatile and come in a variety of sizes for either in-room or in-duct applications.

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From a contractor&#;s perspective the main considerations when selecting a unit are often purchase cost and ease of installation. For a customer or end-user the initial cost is also important but so are on-going operating costs and maintenance requirements.

The main differences between electrode and resistive technologies are how they heat the water to create steam and how they control steam output.

The electrode boils water by passing electrical current through it. The more current passes through the water, the greater the steam production. So output increases with a higher water level or when higher mineral levels make the water more conductive.

To maintain an accurate output, the concentration of minerals in the water is regulated through drainage and replacement with fresh water. This typically allows for humidity control of around +/-5%RH.

Resistive humidifiers create steam through the transfer of heat from the resistance heater elements to the water. Steam output is controlled by applying more or less heat to the water rather than controlling water level or conductivity. This results in more accurate humidity control of around +/-2%RH with mains water.

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It also improves humidity control by removing the need for fresh (cold) water to be regularly introduced to reduce mineral levels. A consistent water temperature results in a consistent steam output and enables a resistive humidifier operating on RO water to control humidity to +/-1%RH.

Electrode humidifiers tend to have the lowest capital cost of the two technologies. Installation costs for both electrode and resistive are comparable plus both are simple to install as they require connection to power, water mains supply and drain only.

So although on-going operating costs can be less with a resistive humidifier, servicing takes longer as the unit needs to be emptied of scale. However, some advanced systems, such as the Condair RS resistive steam humidifier, reduce this service burden through innovative scale management features. An external scale collector allows limescale to be removed quickly and easily without needing to open the main body of the humidifier, greatly reducing service time.

As we&#;ve seen, both technologies have advantages and disadvantages and the choice of system largely depends on the end-user&#;s needs. If very close humidity control is needed resistive humidifiers with or without RO water could be the best option.

If close humidity control isn&#;t important, but simple maintenance with minimal downtime is, an electrode boiler with its replaceable cylinders could suit. But if a customer wants the lowest whole life cost across capital, service and consumables, then a resistive humidifier will provide this.

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