Dry air can be the source of dry skin, itchy eyes and asthma-related complications, especially during the winter months when heat is required. Adding a good home humidifier can reduce uncomfortable symptoms associated with dry air, as well as protect furniture and prevent paint cracking. Consumer Reports recommends a humidity level indoors of between 30 and 50 percent.
Types
Humidifiers are available in three basic designs. Tabletop models, the least expensive type of humidifier, are portable and designed for single-room use. Console designs are larger than the tabletop, but are small enough to be portable from one room to another. Whole-house or in-duct humidifiers are designed to work with a forced-air heating system for even distribution of humidity throughout the house.
Consumer Reports states the in-duct humidifier is the most economical at a cost of about $30 per year instead of $350 or more a year for four tabletop designs.
Identification
There are four distinct methods of dispersing humidity in the home: an evaporative humidifier pushes air through a wet surface, such as a sponge or filter; a cool-mist impeller humidifier spins out tiny droplets of moisture without adding heat to the air; steam humidifiers add warm moisture to the air; and ultrasonic humidifiers use a vibrating transducer that breaks the water into tiny droplets.
Features
Desirable features in a good home humidifier include ease of use, quietness and automatic status components. Humidifiers, such as the tabletop and console, require monitoring to keep an adequate water supply, where the in-duct humidifier is directly connected to a water supply.
Most name brand humidifiers are built for quietness; however, according to HumidifierInformation.com, warm mist humidifiers are quieter than cold water humidifiers. Additional features in a good humidifier include an indicator for low water, variable speed settings and an automatic shutoff when the water is gone or the desired humidity level is reached.
Maintenance
Each type of humidifier requires a specific type of maintenance. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends emptying the tank in portable humidifiers and wiping all surfaces dry before refilling to reduce the growth of microorganisms. Portable humidifiers should be cleaned every third day. Using water low in minerals will help prevent the buildup of minerals in the air.
In-duct humidifiers require less maintenance than portable or console models. If the humidifier uses a tank for water storage, the tank must be kept clean to prevent the buildup of microorganisms. All units, whether portable or in-duct, should be cleaned and dried thoroughly prior to use and before storage.
Warning
The Environmental Protection Agency reports the dangers that may be associated with the ultrasonic and impeller models include dispersions of microorganisms and minerals into the air. The evaporative and steam vaporizer designs usually disperse less pollutants into the air, but microorganisms can grow if the design includes a tank with standing water.
References
- ConsumerReports.org: Humidity Recommendations
- ConsumerReports.org: Economical Humidifier
- HomeTips.com: Humidifier Methods
- HumidifierInformation.com: Features of a Good Home Humidifier
- Environmental Protection Agency: Humidifier Maintenance Requirements
- Environmental Protection Agency: Warning About Pollutants
