Reality Check: Humidity/Humidifiers/Hygrometer

[calli66]

This week I finally decided to buy a humidifier. Bought:

Honeywell Ultrasonic Model HUT-102. Ran for 2 days, then broke.

Bionaire Personal Humidifier. Defective right out of the box.

Venta Sonic Humidifier. Still OK after 2 days.

Acu-Rite digital hygrometer. Works OK, except that the lowest humidity reading it detects is 20%. Below that it reads "LO." I should have read the package before buying it.

Reality Check:
The typical humidity in my house here in New Mexico USA is BELOW 20%--"LO." Running a humidifier in the living room all day didn't raise the level above LO. In the bedroom, with the humidifier going all night and the door closed, it got to 25%--whoop-dee-doo.

I would have to buy an industrial-strength humidifiers to make any change.

Noise:
The ultrasonic units may be quiet, but I am REALLY not used to the HUM all night long. How do you guys stand it?

C66

[dianat]

I find the white noise to be soothing. Any way you can talk yourself into that?

[Rebecca Petris]

Well, if you do resort to industrial strength, you may want to read Dr. Brown's write-up for us on the Vornado and why she ultimately went with that one. (Side benefit: it's quiet.) See humidifiers.

No, I'm not getting kickbacks from the manufacturer . We got into a conversation about humidifiers recently when I mentioned I was thinking of getting one and I found myself being educated by a humidifier connoisseur.

[calli66]

Thanks, guys! I'm going to check into that Vornado.

Getting used to "white noise"--it's definitely going to take some practice.

Another question: I guess I'm so used to ultra-dry air in my house---but, the mist irritates my throat and makes me cough. (Bedroom--I have the unit 6 ft away and pointing the other direction). Do you notice anything like that?

C66

[dianat]

Hmmm...dry air does that to me, not moist air. Can't imagine why you'd have trouble with your throat. You may not need it quite that close to you.