Keeping a spare heat tape is definitely wise—I've had similar experiences with humidifiers. Thought I was prepared until mine quit during a particularly dry winter spell. Now I always keep backup filters and even a small portable unit handy, just in case. Older homes especially seem to throw curveballs when you least expect it... Good to see others learning from experience too.
Good call on the portable unit—I hadn't thought of that. I've been relying on DIY tricks like bowls of water near vents, but honestly, they're hit or miss. Older homes really do have their quirks, don't they? Seems like every winter I'm discovering something new I need to prep for... Glad I'm not the only one figuring this stuff out as I go.
Yeah, older houses definitely keep you on your toes. Bowls near vents never really did much for me either—felt like I was just decorating the floor, lol. Have you tried drying laundry indoors occasionally? Cheap and practical, plus it bumps up humidity nicely.
"Bowls near vents never really did much for me either—felt like I was just decorating the floor, lol."
I can relate to this. Tried the bowl trick myself a few winters back, and all I got was a slightly damp patch on the carpet. Drying laundry indoors does help, but I've found simmering a pot of water on the stove occasionally works even better. Just keep an eye on it—forgot mine once and ended up scrubbing mineral deposits off the pan for days...
I've had mixed results with simmering water too—definitely boosts humidity, but it can be a bit energy-intensive if you're doing it regularly. Plus, like you mentioned, the mineral buildup is a pain. I've found that houseplants actually do a pretty decent job at passively increasing humidity levels. I started with just a couple of spider plants and pothos, and now my living room feels noticeably less dry. Bonus points for air purification too.
One thing I'm still figuring out though is balancing humidity without encouraging mold growth or condensation on windows. Anyone else run into this issue? Curious how others manage to keep things comfortable without tipping into damp territory...
