- #1
pandaexpress
- 14
- 0
Is this a way to "humidify" your house? Will boiling water create humidity?
Will Boiling Water Create Humidity?
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concept of whether boiling water can effectively humidify a house. Participants explore the mechanisms of humidity generation, the effectiveness of boiling water compared to other methods, and the nuances of language related to humidity.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that boiling water does indeed release water vapor into the air, thereby increasing the relative humidity.
- Others argue that while boiling water can add humidity, the actual increase may be minimal unless the space is small.
- One participant mentions that various wet items, including laundry and plants, can also contribute to indoor humidity levels.
- A participant highlights the importance of precise language in discussing humidity, noting that the term "humidity" encompasses both relative and absolute humidity.
- There is a question raised about the evaporation rates of small droplets versus a larger body of water, suggesting that the surface area in contact with air plays a significant role.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree that boiling water can increase humidity, but there is no consensus on the extent of this effect or the implications of the terminology used. The discussion includes competing views on the effectiveness of boiling water compared to other methods of humidification.
Contextual Notes
Some limitations include the assumptions about the initial humidity levels in the house and the definitions of humidity being discussed. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical aspects of evaporation rates or the precise impact of boiling water on humidity levels.
- #2
- 757
- 356
Boiling water will put water vapor into the air, increasing the relative humidity of the air.
- #3
russ_watters
Mentor
- 23,866
- 11,316
Yes, that's how most humidifiers work.
Now, a different question would be: how much humidity would boiling a pot of water on the stove add to your house? Answer: not much unless your house is really small.
Now, a different question would be: how much humidity would boiling a pot of water on the stove add to your house? Answer: not much unless your house is really small.
- #4
Borek
Mentor
- 29,203
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Anything wet and drying out will to some extent increase humidity (as Russ pointed out, effect depends on the amount of water and the internal volume of the house). Even drying your laundry inside can help. Plants in pots help too. Eons ago I had a simple humidifier - basically a water tank with wet wicks sticking out, made in such a way it could be hung on the cast iron household radiator.
- #5
- 19,385
- 15,617
Just as an aside to the excellent answers already given, please keep in mind that in science, careful language in asking a question can be very important. Your question as stated ignores the precise meaning of the word "humildity" and uses a careless English language meaning of something like "detectable moisture". There is ALWAYS humidity, everywhere. The question is just, "how much", which is why jixxizix said "increasing" not "creating". His post, by the way, is also somewhat careless in that he states that it "increases the relative humidity", which is correct but it would be even more correct to say that it "increases the humidity", meaning that it increases the relative humidity AND the absolute humidity.pandaexpress said:
All of this assumes that your house is not already at 100% relatively humidity. If it were (and it would be abnormal if it were) boiling water would just increase the amount of condensation on your walls.
- #6
Dadface
- 2,489
- 105
What is the precise meaning of the word "humildity"
- #7
Borek
Mentor
- 29,203
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It is humidity high enough to humiliate.
- #8
- 19,385
- 15,617
Borek said:
- #9
pandaexpress
- 14
- 0
Thanks everyone! I understand now. :D
If you guys don't mind a follow-up question:
Why do little drops of water evaporate like in the shower or on a counter in homes, but if you place a whole cup of water out it doesn't seem to evaporate at the same rate? I have left a cup of water out for like a month and nothing seemed to happen.
If you guys don't mind a follow-up question:
Why do little drops of water evaporate like in the shower or on a counter in homes, but if you place a whole cup of water out it doesn't seem to evaporate at the same rate? I have left a cup of water out for like a month and nothing seemed to happen.
- #10
Borek
Mentor
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Assume having a cup of water. What is the surface of water (the one in free contact with air, at which the evaporation takes place) in a cup, and in a zillion droplets? Which one is larger?
- #11
Lowedown
- 16
- 2
Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in the air relative to the amount of moisture the air can hold at a given temperature. Hot air can hold more moisture, cold air less. Relative humility is how humble you are at a given temp and humidity level. Some people sweat more and lose their humility when overheated and sweaty.Borek said:
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