Tenant requrest for furnace/humidifier sytem

[Brian Zaug]

I own a duplex and one of the Tenants called and asked me if he could install a humidifier system onto the furnace.  He says he has sinus issues and needs this system so he can sleep at night.  Our lease states that any improvements to the apartment must be approved by the LL. 

Do any of you see a problem with him doing this?  He will have to pay for a professional to install this system. 

[Roy N.]

I would suggest the tenant purchase a room (or whole house if they prefer) stand-alone humidifier and use that.

You can install a humidifier on the plenum of the furnace, they do work, but are another maintenance item (so they do not grow fur during the off season) and, if not functioning correctly, cleaning-up after them can be arduous.   We typically remove these when we encounter them.

[Matthew Paul]

They have to have a water source , cut into the ductwork .Its not a DIY project . Tell them to get a portable humidifer

[Nathan Gesner]

If this is an actual medical condition, severe enough to be considered a disability, then you could make the reasonable accommodation. I suspect it falls in the "personal comfort" realm. If he is a good tenant and wanted to install it professionally, and at his expense, I may allow it because it would keep him around longer.

[Mike McCarthy]

My first thought was a room humidifier. No work required utter than plugging it in.

If you do want to get a humidifier for the furnace, as the LL, I would get a quote or two, and agree to charge it to the tenant with the rent. I wouldn't let the tenant hire someone to do it - the furnace is not something you want just anyone messing with.

[Thomas S.]

If he wants a humidifier let him buy his own. His request is way beyond the financial responsibility of a landlord.

If he buys his own room dehumidifier make sure you do regular inspections for mold on the windows.

[JD Martin]

I have a whole-house humidifier on my heating system. It isn't as good as you'd suspect. It uses a boatload of water, the filters aren't that cheap, and half of the humidity gets sucked back out and burned off from the intakes. I would have him get his own room humidifiers. The other issue is that too much moisture in your heating vents can promote mold/mildew growth. 

[Roy N.]

Originally posted by @JD Martin:

I have a whole-house humidifier on my heating system. It isn't as good as you'd suspect. It uses a boatload of water, the filters aren't that cheap, and half of the humidity gets sucked back out and burned off from the intakes. I would have him get his own room humidifiers. The other issue is that too much moisture in your heating vents can promote mold/mildew growth. 

I took the one off the furnace in my own house shortly after we moved in for that very reason ... it, and the ducts, were a little furry and took a great deal of disassembly and time with a roto-brush vacuum to clean.