Humidifier Types & Tips

First of all, Do You Need a Humidifier?

Humidifier Types:

Central humidifiers are built into home heating and air conditioning systems and are designed to humidify the whole house.

 
Ultrasonic humidifiers produce a cool mist with ultrasonic vibration.

Surround Air MiniAire Humidifier - A palm-sized humidifier that's perfect for your office or car.  Weighs less than 1 lb.

SonicAire Humidifier - Ultrasonic cool mist with built-in air purifying ionizer.  2 gallon tank for up to 30 hours of operation without refills.

 
Impeller humidifiers produce a cool mist with a rotating disk.

Sunbeam Cool Mist Impeller Humidifier - Perfect for small to medium-sized rooms.  Produces a refreshing cool mist.  Contemporary design. 

Evaporative humidifiers use a  fan to blow air through a wet wick, filter or belt.

Care-Free Humidifier Plus - 2.5 gallon.  PermaWick, mechanical humidistat, NiteGlo night light and 2-speed whisper quiet Hunter fan.  Needs no regular maintenance.  Clean once a year.  Triple antibacterial SafeSystem protects 100% agains bacteria, molds & spores.

Steam vaporizers use electricity to create steam that cools before leaving the machine. Avoid this type of humidifier if you have children; hot water inside this type of humidifier may cause burns if it's spilled.

Sunbeam Warm Mist Vaporizer Humidifier - Produces a soothing warm mist to combat coughs and colds.  Great for small rooms.  Up to 14 hours on 1 filling.  Sleek and compact.  Easy to clean.

Humidifier Tips:

• Keep your humidifier clean and maintained or you could get sick. Dirty reservoirs and  filters quickly grow bacteria and mold.  Read Is Your Humidifier Making You Sick?
• Talk to your doctor about using a humidifier if you have asthma or allergies.
• Test the humidity in your home with a hygrometer or "Mold Alert". A healthy range is between 35% and 55%.
• Rule of thumb: 40°F outside 45% humidity inside; 20°F out, 35% in; 0°F out, 25% in, -10°F out, 20% in.
• Move to another State if it's 10 below in the winter.  Okay, anyway...
• High humidity can be remedied by an air conditioner or dehumidifier.
• Some rooms will be higher in humidity than others.  Even if you have a central humidifier unit, you may need to regulate some rooms with separate units.
• You can remove excess  humidity in kitchen and baths by running the vent/fan during cooking and bathing, and afterwards for about 20 minutes.
• You may consider a cool mist humidifier for children, so they don't risk accidental steam burns.