Buyers Guide to Humidifiers

Tips and advice for buying a humidifier

by Mercia Tapping, President, AllergyBuyersClub.com

• Home humidifiers usually cover an area less than the manufacturer states, so buy a larger size humidifier than you think you need.

• Humidifiers will definitely add moisture to the air, but you may not be able to reach the humidity level that you want to achieve i.e. 30 to 40% with a small capacity humidifier

• Humidity over 50% encourages dust mites, and even higher humidity levels encourage mold spore growth.

INFO LINKS Humidifiers Overview - view all humidifiers sold by AllergyBuyersClub.com Humidifiers Comparison Chart - a comparison with pluses and minuses of all the best humidifiers Warm mist vs. cool mist humidifiers - Learn the differences between cool mist humidifiers and warm mist types Best Humidifier Articles - Editor's top picks on humidifier info

• The level of humidity that you can achieve is dependent on the outdoor humidity.

• All humidifiers have some level of "gurgling" sound when the water in the tanks is drawn into the base of the units, and the noise can be disconcerting if you are not expecting it.

• Decide on area that you wish to be covered. Cool mist humidifiers will cover a larger area, but since they are noisier, consider placing them out of earshot.

• Digital humidistats in humidifiers are not very precise, but they do give you an indication of level of room humidity, and the best humidifiers will automatically shut off when the required humidity is reached. Remember, over-humidification can lead to mold, dust mite and bacteria growth.

• None of our humidifiers produce any white mineral dust which can be a by-product of some other brands. The exception to that statement is a proviso that a favorite humidifier the, Air-O-Swiss, is not receptive to softened water and will disperse white dust if softened water is used.

• Warm mist humidifiers are much quieter than cool mists. Air-O-Swiss humidifiers are exceptionally quiet.

• Hard water presents a problem for all humidifiers, and you should expect the filters to need changing more often. On the other hand, softened water can still be used in cool mist humidifiers but not in the Air-O Swiss, as it would cause white dust to be dispersed. Using distilled water is fine but only if you have a free source, otherwise it adds to the running costs.

• Running costs of a ducted central humidifier, such as Desert Spring solution are more energy efficient in the long run, provided you have forced hot air heating and your furnace can accommodate this type of solution. This kind of humidification solution benefits the whole family and your furniture too.

• All humidifiers have some maintenance costs associated with them and expect to pay between $30 to $50 for annual filter or other replacement costs. Otherwise, throw machines away after one season’s use. You do not want to run a dirty humidifier.

• Most humidifiers are filled from the bottom of the water tank, which then has to be turned over when full and heavy with water. A very awkward maneuver. The Clairion and Hunter warm mists are filled in from the top, which is much easier.

• Most humidifiers are filled from the faucet, but the shape of the tank determines which humidifier is easier to fit under the faucet. The Hamilton Beach gets good marks from us in this regard.

• While all humidifiers have some parts that can be thrown into the dishwasher for cleaning, the Clairion and Hunter Warm Mist have machines that are like jigsaw puzzles and all parts are dishwasher safe.

• The larger tanks of the Bemis floor models allow the water to last longer, but 5 gallons of water is still quite heavy for most people.

First Published: January, 2006
Updated: April 2007

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