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Humidifiers-User Guidance: Choosing the Best Humidifier for You
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Humidifiers: Choosing the Best Humidifier for You
By Mercia Tapping, President, AllergyBuyersClub.com
* Humidifiers: Why Use Them?
* Buyers Guide to Humidifiers
* Types of Humidifiers
* What Size Humidifier do you Need?
* Warm or Cool Mist? Which Humidifier is right for you?
* Humidifier Brand Profiles and Comparisons
HUMIDIFIERS: WHY USE THEM?
Humidifiers- love them or hate them? First of all, let me begin by saying that we are a great fan of increasing humidification in winter months, especially for those of us who live in the frozen north and have to live indoors all winter. However, as a company we have had a love-hate relationship to humidifiers, since many of them started to have reliability issues in recent years, and customers started quite understandably to complain. Our challenge has been to find a humidifier that does the job but without the drawbacks or reliability problems that our customers complained about.
We recommend that indoor humidity levels in winter should be around 30 to 40%. Wintry cold air holds less moisture, and when it is heated indoors becomes even drier, setting the stage for itchy dry skin, sinus attacks, dry eyes and the like.
The good news is that humidifier technology has been improving over the last couple of years and humidifiers are now easier to maintain and do not spew out the white mineral dust which causes respiratory problems. Some humidifiers are even nice and very quiet. We did find however that there is a universal tendency for manufacturers to exaggerate the square footage that is usually covered by their humidifiers. We have adjusted our technical specification charts on our web site to reflect what we believe to be the real square foot coverage.
* Humidifiers reduce the possibility of winter infection by keeping the mucous membranes moist and allowing the tiny hairs in the nose and throat to work to expel any particles that were suspended in the air.
* Dry aching sinuses receive a great deal of relief from a humidified bedroom.
* Sleep with a snoring partner? Humidifiers relieve the intensity and noise level of the snoring.
* Cold symptoms are greatly relieved by using a humidifier in your bedroom at night.
* Dry, itchy skin is prevented, and chapped lips are relieved with humidifiers
* Unpleasant static electricity shocks are reduced by humidifiers
* Valuable wood furniture and floors, musical instruments are protected from cracking and warping.
BUYERS GUIDE TO HUMIDIFIERS
* 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.
* The level of humidity that you can achieve is dependent on the outdoor humidity.
* 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.
Air-O-Swiss Humidifier Features
* 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.
* Warm mist humidifiers are much quieter than cool mists. The Air-O-Swiss humidifier is exceptionally quiet.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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 but some are easier than others.
* Most humidifiers are filled from the faucet, but the shape of the tank determines which humidifier is easier to fit under the faucet. The Graco Cool Mist gets good marks from us in this regard.
* All humidifiers have some parts that can be thrown into the dishwasher for cleaning, and we suggest that you run these parts through your dishwasher on a regular basis.
* The larger tanks allow the water to last longer, but for instance, 5 gallons of water is still quite heavy for most people and awkward to fill, so on the whole we opt for smaller ones for sheer ease of use.
TYPES OF HUMIDIFIERS
Cool Mist Humidity is produced by blowing air over or through a wick in water. The moist vapor is dispersed at room temperature. Cool Mists are available in, central/whole house, multi room and single room [tabletop] humidifiers. Small humidifiers and single room humidifiers are available in both cool mist and warm mist types.
Air-O-Swiss is an interesting choice because it is both cool and warm mist and uses a slightly different technology. Hunter, Graco, are cool mist humidifier brands.
Warm Mist usually involves a heating element in the humidifier that heats the water before dispersing it into the air. We have found that smaller, less expensive warm mist humidifiers work much faster if you fill them with warm water! The addition of a heating element, usually has warm mist humidifiers be slightly more expensive to buy initially, and are more costly to run. We used to sell more brands of warm mist humidifiers but found they were either costly to maintain or malfunctioned. So we stopped carrying them. We think that whether you prefer a cool or a warm mist humidifier, is a matter of personal preference and geography. Warm mist feels more comforting in a North Eastern United States winter bedroom or child’s room.
Air-O-Swiss, is our best and preferred warm mist humidifier brand and it offers the added benefit of being able to run in either cool or warm mist mode.
AIRWASHERS
We have never been great fans of air washers up till now, because the earlier models had no way of regulating the amount of moisture that was released in the air and so could cause mold problems. In addition to that, air washers were being touted for their particle removal capabilities without admitting that they remove large dust particles or pet hair only and not the lung penetrating particles that really hurt you. Also glossed over is the reality that with an air washer you do have to rinse out a pan of dirty water on a frequent basis.
However, the beauty of an Air-O-Swiss air washer is that in addition to being a humidifier, it traps pet hair, large dust and pollen particles in its base unit so has some added benefit of air cleaning. It comes apart for relatively easy cleaning. Also, unlike other air washers, this one has a hygrostat for automatic monitoring of humidity levels. It uses its patented mineral stick for anti- bacterial protection of the standing water and requires no expensive replacement filters unlike most humidifiers. Exceptionally fast and is effective in large areas up to 750 sq. ft so this is what you would want to use in a larger space if you wanted a cool mist, and were prepared for a quiet but not silent machine.
WHAT SIZE HUMIDIFIER DO YOU NEED?
There are three major sizes of humidifiers and they each have a different gallon dispersion rating, as well as square footage usually covered. Decide how much square footage you are aiming to cover and how many rooms.
Portable / Tabletop humidifiers are the least expensive and best for a single room like a bedroom. These tabletop humidifiers require the most frequent refilling and are available in both warm and cool mist humidifier choices. If one had talk in generalities as to the difference between Warm and Cool Mist humidifiers. Cool mist humidifiers are noisier but cheap and easy to run, whereas warm mists are quieter but more trouble to clean. Air-O-Swiss is silent whether it is in warm or cool mist mode.
Air-O-Swiss and Graco, are table top humidifiers and the Graco is very attractively priced with a low customer return rate.
In-Duct Humidifiers can be used if you have forced air heating and duct work. These humidifiers are attached to your heating/ air conditioning system and run themselves silently with no need to refill. The replaceable filter only needs to be cleaned once a season. While the most expensive to buy up front, they are inexpensive and easy to run.
Desert Spring is an in duct humidifier
WARM OR COOL MIST? WHICH HUMIDIFIER IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Cool Mist Humidifier Pluses
* Cool mist humidifiers are easier to clean (all water tanks should be rinsed every few days)
* Cool Mist humidifiers will cover a larger area
Cool Mist Humidifier Minuses
* Slightly noisier than warm mist units due to the fan noise
* You can hear the water gurgle when it flows out of the tank
* Cool mist can feel slightly cool and clammy at certain room temperatures
Warm Mist Humidifier Pluses
* They are quieter than cool mist units
* Warm mist humidifiers feel the most comfortable especially in Northern winters
Warm Mist Humidifier Minuses
* Warm mist humidifiers in general require frequent cleaning, and are harder to clean than cool mist humidifiers .An exception to that rule is Air-O-Swiss a dual mode machine.
* Warm mist machines cover a smaller area than cool mist humidifiers, often no more than one decent sized bedroom
* The boiling sound can often be heard on high speed but it is not a noise issue for most people
* The gurgling sound can be heard when it flows out of the tank humidifier
Humidifiers: Choosing the Best Humidifier for You
By Mercia Tapping, President, AllergyBuyersClub.com
* Humidifiers: Why Use Them?
* Buyers Guide to Humidifiers
* Types of Humidifiers
* What Size Humidifier do you Need?
* Warm or Cool Mist? Which Humidifier is right for you?
* Humidifier Brand Profiles and Comparisons
HUMIDIFIERS: WHY USE THEM?
Humidifiers- love them or hate them? First of all, let me begin by saying that we are a great fan of increasing humidification in winter months, especially for those of us who live in the frozen north and have to live indoors all winter. However, as a company we have had a love-hate relationship to humidifiers, since many of them started to have reliability issues in recent years, and customers started quite understandably to complain. Our challenge has been to find a humidifier that does the job but without the drawbacks or reliability problems that our customers complained about.
We recommend that indoor humidity levels in winter should be around 30 to 40%. Wintry cold air holds less moisture, and when it is heated indoors becomes even drier, setting the stage for itchy dry skin, sinus attacks, dry eyes and the like.
The good news is that humidifier technology has been improving over the last couple of years and humidifiers are now easier to maintain and do not spew out the white mineral dust which causes respiratory problems. Some humidifiers are even nice and very quiet. We did find however that there is a universal tendency for manufacturers to exaggerate the square footage that is usually covered by their humidifiers. We have adjusted our technical specification charts on our web site to reflect what we believe to be the real square foot coverage.
* Humidifiers reduce the possibility of winter infection by keeping the mucous membranes moist and allowing the tiny hairs in the nose and throat to work to expel any particles that were suspended in the air.
* Dry aching sinuses receive a great deal of relief from a humidified bedroom.
* Sleep with a snoring partner? Humidifiers relieve the intensity and noise level of the snoring.
* Cold symptoms are greatly relieved by using a humidifier in your bedroom at night.
* Dry, itchy skin is prevented, and chapped lips are relieved with humidifiers
* Unpleasant static electricity shocks are reduced by humidifiers
* Valuable wood furniture and floors, musical instruments are protected from cracking and warping.
BUYERS GUIDE TO HUMIDIFIERS
* 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.
* The level of humidity that you can achieve is dependent on the outdoor humidity.
* 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.
Air-O-Swiss Humidifier Features
* 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.
* Warm mist humidifiers are much quieter than cool mists. The Air-O-Swiss humidifier is exceptionally quiet.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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 but some are easier than others.
* Most humidifiers are filled from the faucet, but the shape of the tank determines which humidifier is easier to fit under the faucet. The Graco Cool Mist gets good marks from us in this regard.
* All humidifiers have some parts that can be thrown into the dishwasher for cleaning, and we suggest that you run these parts through your dishwasher on a regular basis.
* The larger tanks allow the water to last longer, but for instance, 5 gallons of water is still quite heavy for most people and awkward to fill, so on the whole we opt for smaller ones for sheer ease of use.
TYPES OF HUMIDIFIERS
Cool Mist Humidity is produced by blowing air over or through a wick in water. The moist vapor is dispersed at room temperature. Cool Mists are available in, central/whole house, multi room and single room [tabletop] humidifiers. Small humidifiers and single room humidifiers are available in both cool mist and warm mist types.
Air-O-Swiss is an interesting choice because it is both cool and warm mist and uses a slightly different technology. Hunter, Graco, are cool mist humidifier brands.
Warm Mist usually involves a heating element in the humidifier that heats the water before dispersing it into the air. We have found that smaller, less expensive warm mist humidifiers work much faster if you fill them with warm water! The addition of a heating element, usually has warm mist humidifiers be slightly more expensive to buy initially, and are more costly to run. We used to sell more brands of warm mist humidifiers but found they were either costly to maintain or malfunctioned. So we stopped carrying them. We think that whether you prefer a cool or a warm mist humidifier, is a matter of personal preference and geography. Warm mist feels more comforting in a North Eastern United States winter bedroom or child’s room.
Air-O-Swiss, is our best and preferred warm mist humidifier brand and it offers the added benefit of being able to run in either cool or warm mist mode.
AIRWASHERS
We have never been great fans of air washers up till now, because the earlier models had no way of regulating the amount of moisture that was released in the air and so could cause mold problems. In addition to that, air washers were being touted for their particle removal capabilities without admitting that they remove large dust particles or pet hair only and not the lung penetrating particles that really hurt you. Also glossed over is the reality that with an air washer you do have to rinse out a pan of dirty water on a frequent basis.
However, the beauty of an Air-O-Swiss air washer is that in addition to being a humidifier, it traps pet hair, large dust and pollen particles in its base unit so has some added benefit of air cleaning. It comes apart for relatively easy cleaning. Also, unlike other air washers, this one has a hygrostat for automatic monitoring of humidity levels. It uses its patented mineral stick for anti- bacterial protection of the standing water and requires no expensive replacement filters unlike most humidifiers. Exceptionally fast and is effective in large areas up to 750 sq. ft so this is what you would want to use in a larger space if you wanted a cool mist, and were prepared for a quiet but not silent machine.
WHAT SIZE HUMIDIFIER DO YOU NEED?
There are three major sizes of humidifiers and they each have a different gallon dispersion rating, as well as square footage usually covered. Decide how much square footage you are aiming to cover and how many rooms.
Portable / Tabletop humidifiers are the least expensive and best for a single room like a bedroom. These tabletop humidifiers require the most frequent refilling and are available in both warm and cool mist humidifier choices. If one had talk in generalities as to the difference between Warm and Cool Mist humidifiers. Cool mist humidifiers are noisier but cheap and easy to run, whereas warm mists are quieter but more trouble to clean. Air-O-Swiss is silent whether it is in warm or cool mist mode.
Air-O-Swiss and Graco, are table top humidifiers and the Graco is very attractively priced with a low customer return rate.
In-Duct Humidifiers can be used if you have forced air heating and duct work. These humidifiers are attached to your heating/ air conditioning system and run themselves silently with no need to refill. The replaceable filter only needs to be cleaned once a season. While the most expensive to buy up front, they are inexpensive and easy to run.
Desert Spring is an in duct humidifier
WARM OR COOL MIST? WHICH HUMIDIFIER IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Cool Mist Humidifier Pluses
* Cool mist humidifiers are easier to clean (all water tanks should be rinsed every few days)
* Cool Mist humidifiers will cover a larger area
Cool Mist Humidifier Minuses
* Slightly noisier than warm mist units due to the fan noise
* You can hear the water gurgle when it flows out of the tank
* Cool mist can feel slightly cool and clammy at certain room temperatures
Warm Mist Humidifier Pluses
* They are quieter than cool mist units
* Warm mist humidifiers feel the most comfortable especially in Northern winters
Warm Mist Humidifier Minuses
* Warm mist humidifiers in general require frequent cleaning, and are harder to clean than cool mist humidifiers .An exception to that rule is Air-O-Swiss a dual mode machine.
* Warm mist machines cover a smaller area than cool mist humidifiers, often no more than one decent sized bedroom
* The boiling sound can often be heard on high speed but it is not a noise issue for most people
* The gurgling sound can be heard when it flows out of the tank humidifier
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