GeneralAire GFDS15PBU Steam Humidifier | Installation in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore and North Shore
Is it the right size for your home?
It produces 15.8 gallons of steam a day, enough to humidify about 1,800 sq ft (our estimate). Pick your home's living area.
It's the right size.
For a 900 to 1,500 sq ft house, it's within its range. It will run at part load on ordinary days and keep a reserve for the coldest days.
AirGreen estimate. GeneralAire advertises 'up to 3,500 sq ft' without saying how tight the house is. For an average-construction home, we count 120 sq ft per gallon a day, the ratio in AprilAire's and Lennox's tables. Older or leaky house: go one size up; our estimator confirms it on site.
What it does, in numbers
$116
Electricity per winter
It rarely runs at full output
Same period for every line, November 1 to March 31 (150 days), at Hydro-Québec's Rate D second tier (11.142 ¢/kWh). At full output it costs $0.2 an hour.
Full output with a heat pump. It heats its own water, so it doesn't depend on the air temperature in the ducts.
Output and current: manufacturer's spec (15.8 gal/day at 120 V and 16.4 A), hence 1.8 kW. Cost per winter: 2,000 sq ft house with 9 ft ceilings, 0.35 air changes per hour (the same basis as our air exchangers), −5 °C and 75% humidity outside on average, 35% targeted indoors, minus the moisture a family of four already produces. A leakier house, or a higher setting, costs more.
What you should know about this one
Published, verifiable figures, not brochure claims.
15.8 galWhat it produces per day, at full output
About 60 litres of water turned into steam in 24 hours. The control runs it to match the humidity you set: it rarely runs flat out, except in very cold weather.
SteamIt doesn't depend on warm air
An evaporative humidifier needs warm air to evaporate the water from its pad. Behind a heat pump, which blows cooler air than a furnace, it produces less. This one heats its own water: same output, whatever the system.
0No pad to replace every fall
The electrodes and the cylinder wear according to water hardness. We check them at the yearly service, along with the rest of the system.
120 VThe only 120 V unit in the series
5.5 lb/h of steam on 120 V (16.4 A). The GFDS25 models need 230 V.
BUInstallation kit included
BU is the version shipped with the duct-mount kit: 6 ft steam hose, nozzle, condensate hose, air-proving switch and GFX3 humidistat.
1,000 CFMWhat it needs from the duct
It needs at least 1,000 CFM of airflow and 36 in. of straight duct ahead of the nozzle. Output adjusts from 20 to 100%.
ControlThe control that comes with it
GeneralAire GFX3 automatic digital humidistat, supplied in the installation kit.
UpkeepWhat gets replaced, and when
15-14 cylinder, replace about once a year, more often with hard water.
35%The humidity to aim for in winter, at most
At −7 °C, no more than 35%; at −18 °C, no more than 25%. Above that, the moisture condenses on the windows. The control adjusts for you if it has an outdoor sensor.
5 yearsThe manufacturer's warranty, and what it covers
5 years on parts (units sold since 2016). Cylinders and gaskets aren't covered. We register the warranty in your name at start-up.
What it needs on site
A steam humidifier needs an electrical circuit of its own. Our estimator checks the panel, the water supply and the drain before ordering.
Complete spec sheetData and cited sources
- Brand
- GeneralAire
- Model
- GFDS15PBU
- Type
- Steam humidifier (electrode)
- Output
- 15.8 US gal/day
- Control included
- GeneralAire GFX3 automatic digital humidistat, supplied in the installation kit.
- Upkeep
- 15-14 cylinder, replace about once a year, more often with hard water.
- Living area
- 1,800 sq ft (AirGreen estimate)
- Heat pump compatible
- Yes
- Dimensions (L × D × H)
- 13.13 × 8.25 × 23.75 in
- Power supply
- 120 V
- Current
- 16.4 A
- Power
- 1.8 kW
- Breaker
- 25 A max
- Weight
- 20 lb
- Warranty
- 5 years on parts (units sold since 2016). Cylinders and gaskets aren't covered.
Output, dimensions, electrical data and warranty: GeneralAire manufacturer's data. Living area: AirGreen estimate, explained under « Your home ».
The next model down and up
Talk to an HVAC technician before you choose
We look at your heating system, the electrical panel, the water supply and the drain, and give you an installed price.
GeneralAire GFDS15PBU: the steam humidifier that runs on 120 V
The GFDS15PBU boils water in an electrode cylinder and sends it into the duct. It delivers 15.8 gal/day, for a home of about 1,800 sq ft by our estimate. Because it doesn't depend on how warm the air is, it also works behind a heat pump.
The only 120 V unit in the DS series
It produces 5.5 lb/h of steam on 120 V, at 16.4 A. The GFDS25 models need 230 V. BU is the version shipped with the duct-mount kit: 6 ft steam hose, nozzle, condensate hose, air-proving switch and GFX3 digital humidistat. Its output adjusts from 20 to 100%.
What it needs
It connects to a 120 V circuit on a 25 A breaker. The duct must carry at least 1,000 CFM of air, with 36 in. of straight duct ahead of the nozzle. It needs a water supply and a drain of at least 1½ in. The 15-14 cylinder is replaced about once a year, more often with hard water. The 5-year warranty covers parts, except the cylinder and gaskets.
Installed by AirGreen
Before we give you a quote for the installed unit, our estimator comes to your home. They look at the heating system, the electrical panel, the water supply and the drain. We install in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore and the North Shore. Call us at 514 316-2973.