Humidifiers

Best Buying Guide For Home Humidifier

2011-01-23T01:48:00.000-08:00

Is your area set to welcome the winter season this year? In that case, you might be worried about the effects of dry winter air on your skin, as experienced by all members of your family every year. But not any more! A humidifier in your home can do wonders for maintaining a desirable level of air humidity. The following tips will certainly help you while you select and buy an appropriate home humidifier.

Space Considerations for Humidifier

The room humidifier must be selected on the basis of space it will occupy in your room. Your room must have the sufficient space left after the installation of this electronic device so that you don't feel your room to be overcrowded.

Area for Humidification

If you want to humidify a large area or every room of your house, there is no use having 3 or 4 individual humidifiers. A whole house humidifier is a better option for you in that case. But, if you want humidification of only one room, perhaps the most frequently visited rooms in the house, a small humidifier can solve the purpose.

Insulation Provisions Decide Size of Humidifier

A well insulated area can manage with a small-sized humidifier. However, the area with no insulation has to be served with large humidifier. Considering these things will enable you to install the right humidifier.

Technical Issues Influencing the Decision

There are various technical issues which must be evaluated when choosing the right humidifier for your home.

* You must make sure that the humidifier doesn't release any kind of dust, which is a common problem associated with some types of humidifiers.

* Make sure that the humidifier possesses automatic functions, like the capability of turning itself off after humidifying the atmosphere to the desired level.

* The humidifier must be fitted with a humidistat to enable you to check on the level of humidity in the environment.

* The humidifier must be resistant to the growth of bacteria, moulds and other microorganisms.

Deciding on Your Comfort Level

A humidifier can be chosen on the basis of your own comfort level with respect to various issues. First of all you must opt for a home humidifier that is easy to install, clean and doesn't demand much maintenance. The noise level of the device must not disturb the ambience of your home.

Most importantly, you must choose the humidifier that fits not only your requirements but also your budget. For this you might employ comparison shopping tools and select the most economical humidifier that is equipped with the best features. You can choose between ultrasonic humidifier, cool mist humidifier or warm mist humidifier, according to your requirements and budget. Whatever is your final decision, make sure you get right product from the right resource.

When we talk about the right resource, http://www.humidifierinformation.com/ is amongst most visited online sites for good quality products. One can benefit from the guaranteed products and free information that is made available at this website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Dolson

The Need for Humidifiers

2011-01-21T01:46:00.000-08:00

Dry winter air can wreak havoc on the body, causing a variety of cold and allergy symptoms. Dry air can also harm paint and wood furniture. While we cannot control the humidity level outdoors, we can use humidifiers to adjust the indoor humidity. Humidifiers are designed to increase the moisture, or humidity, in the air. Humidifiers also reduce the static electricity in the home, reducing the possibility of being "shocked." For best comfort and health, humidity levels should be between 30 and 50 percent.

Though there are different types of humidifiers, they all work by the same basic concept: water is placed in a holding tank and electronically sent into the air. Cool mist humidifiers, also called evaporative humidifiers, use a fan to blow water through a wick filter. The cool mist of water then evaporates into the air. Warm mist humidifiers, on the other hand, heat the water before sending it into the air. Cool mist versus warm mist is largely a matter of preference, although warm mist units generally make less noise. Warm mist humidifiers can also be used to dispense inhaled medications. In addition, warm mist units do not require a filter as the heating mechanism kills bacteria. On the other hand, it does require more energy to heat the water. Care should be taken when using warm mist humidifiers as they can prevent a risk of burns. Additionally, those in warmer climates may prefer the cool mist humidifiers as they cool the air.

Humidifiers also vary in size, water capacity, and area served. For instance, tabletop humidifiers, or room humidifiers, are small in size and are designed to be used in one room only. Tabletop models are available in cool mist or warm mist. Console models are larger units and are designed to control the humidity of multiple rooms. When buying a console humidifier, check the prescribed coverage area to determine its appropriateness for your space. All console humidifiers use cool mist, or evaporative, technology. Furnace humidifiers, as the name suggests, are professionally installed in the furnace ducts and are used to treat the entire house. Though more expensive initially, furnace humidifiers require less maintenance and are less expensive to operate annually.

It is important to clean and disinfect a humidifier regularly. Filters must be changed or cleaned as the manufacturer instructs. Failure to follow the care instructions for your humidifier could result in mold, mildew, and bacteria. The problems associated with those are much worse than the problems caused by dry air.

Another important consideration when choosing a humidifier is the humidistat. While low humidity can cause dry nasal passages, high humidity can cause the growth of bacteria and mold. A humidistat controls the humidity level and keeps it within an acceptable range. If you are unsure of your home's humidity level, a device called a hygrometer can measure it. Low-cost hygrometers are available at most local hardware stores.

Humidifiers Info provides detailed information on house, furnace, cigar, and ultrasonic humidifiers, as well as humidifier filters and product reviews. Humidifiers Info is the sister site of Dehumidifiers Web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Riverside

What You Should Know About Filterless Humidifiers

2011-01-19T01:44:00.000-08:00

Humidity is the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. It is an important factor while determining the quality of air. High as well as low humidity levels have adverse effect on the health of an individual. Low humidity level is when the air is very dry. Dry air can cause many problems, which may range from common cold and cough to serious respiratory problems such as sinus and asthma. A humidifier is the solution to this problem of a low humidity level. A humidifier is a simple appliance which disperses water in the environment using various techniques to increase the humidity levels. There are various types of humidifiers available such as the evaporative humidifiers, cool mist humidifier, warm mist humidifier and ultrasonic humidifier. However, one of the most basic classifications of humidifier is the filtered humidifier and the filterless humidifier.

These type of humidifiers are becoming popular by day as people find it convenient not having to change the filters every now and then. Filterless humidifiers have a grid which serves the same purpose as the filter, but it does not need replacing and is much easier to clean than the filters of the humidifiers. The filterless humidifiers are a bit more costly but the increased cost is compensated in the long run.

These humidifiers are the choicefor you if you are a bit of a lazy person who does not want to change the filters every now and then. The main purpose of the filter in the filtered type humidifiers is to clean the air by trapping the sediments and the dirt particles, and hence, the filtered humidifiers require cleaning at regular intervals which is quite a task for some people having shortage of time to do such chores. If the filters are not changed and the humidifier is still being used it can potentially pose risk to your health. It is not at all advisable to use unclean filters. While cleaning the filter and reusing it is the practice, the experts' advice to use new filters altogether so that there is not even a single trace of a dirt particle in the air.

Filterless humidifiers are as effective as any filtered humidifier since these humidifiers use a grid which is used to clean the air. The main working principle behind the working of grid in these appliances is to use electrostatic charge to stop the dust particles. The grid is electrostatically charged opposite to the dust particles. The grid in these devices attracts oppositely charged dirt particles just like a magnet attracts metallic objects. The grid in the filterless humidifier can be simply cleaned by wiping it with a clean piece of cloth. The grid can be put back into the humidifier as soon as it is dry and can be used at once.

This type certainly have an advantage when it comes to the noise levels of the appliance. They are on the quieter side which is an advantage for people who like it quiet. Filterless humidifiers may cost more at the beginning but the reduced maintenance cost along with zero operational costs make it cheaper in the long run. They come with various settings that can be adjusted according to the users' needs of humidity levels.

These humidifiers use the latest technology and are as safe as filtered humidifier. The various settings allow the user to adjust the humidity levels according to one's needs.

Shane Opp is an expert on filterless humidifiers and offers a website that has humidifier reviews on all types and models of humidifiers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shane_Opp

Select the Best Humidifier For Your Home

2011-01-16T01:41:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for room humidifier? If yes, first you need to understand your requirements. There is a wide assortment of humidifiers available on the market shelves but you cannot just go and buy one out of the collection randomly. You need to look into various factors before that lest you may end up making the wrong choice that doesn't serve your purpose completely.

Which type of humidifier?

The foremost thing is to know which type of humidifier will suit your home in the best possible manner. You need to find out humidity level of your house with hygrometer which will be helpful to know the humidity level of different rooms in your home and thereby aid in deciding the type of humidifier that will best suit the requirements of your home. Some of the most common and popular humidifiers in market include furnace humidifier, warm mist humidifier, ultrasonic humidifier, and cool mist humidifier. Once you know which type of humidifier is appropriate for your home, you can decide for the next factor of humidifiers, i.e, if they should be a portable one or a whole house humidifier.

Portable or whole house humidifiers?

Now, both types of humidifiers whole house and the portable ones have their advantages and disadvantages. So, this makes it essential for you to understand their pros and cons and then invest your money into buying the best humidifier for you. Since, this is one home appliance that needs one time investment. So, you need acute discretion while buying.

Whole house humidifiers are a one unit that is installed once into the furnace of your home. They keep working on its mechanism with no hurdles and complaints whatsoever. It draws required amount of water from water supply system of your house from time to time. The best feature of whole house humidifying unit is that it requires one time set up and needs minimal maintenance. You need not worry about refilling it from time to time and this is cost efficient too. It sets the humidity of your whole house to one fixed point whole time sparing you from the hassles of adjusting it time and again.

As the name suggests, portable humidifiers can be relocated from one room to another. So, this is the main point of comfort for you. Also, if you are a tenant and keep shifting from one place to other owing to your job work then portable humidifiers are the best option for you. It is plugged into an electronic socket and water needs to be changed from time to time. It is a power pack machine with capacity to keep two rooms humidity to an optimal range.

Maintenance of humidifiers - No escape

However, regular maintenance is one necessary requirement that is common in both the humidifiers. Some people may call it a disadvantage, but this is one thing that all humidifiers demand for a better performance and smooth working for a long term. Now, that you know both the pros and cons of the humidifiers so you can make wise decision regarding the type of humidifier you need for your home.

Humidifiers helps you to maintain the humidity level of your house on optimal range and keep the air in home fresh. If you are looking for some valuable information on how humidifier works, check out http://www.humidifierinformation.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terro_White

Whole House Humidifier Types and Humidifier Maintenance

2011-01-12T01:37:00.000-08:00

A whole house humidifier or furnace mounted whole house humidifier is just another example of an extremely neglected component of our house - on top of a brick chimney, an attic, and a crawlspace, which fall into the same basket.

If you're not going to maintain it, it's probably a bad idea to get a whole house humidifier. Since it is attached to a forced air heating system that constantly circulates air throughout the house, poor maintenance can create environment attracting mold growth and help reproduce of dust mites.

Properly operating and maintaining a whole house humidifier helps us relieve many physical discomforts associated with cold / dry weather, including respiratory problems and dry skin and lips. It also lowers or completely eliminates static electricity, cosmetic wall trim separations, cracks in finishes, separating hardwood floor boards, etc. The trick is to balance the amount of moisture in your home at such a level which will benefit your health, living environment, and save energy instead of creating conditions which sometimes cause mold or other biological organism growth (excessive moisture could do that). And for proper humidity balancing, you either have to observe and monitor your environment, or purchase an electronic device which will do it for you. In general, the humidity in your house should not exceed 50% (35% - 50% is the most comfortable). Higher levels will usually create condensation on windows, sometimes on walls and ceiling surfaces, or possible mold and mildew growth.

No matter how advanced the whole house humidifier system installed on your property is - it will require regular maintenance because it won't work properly or at all without it. The truth is - I rarely see one properly maintained or even operating at all.

There are basically 5 types of whole house humidifiers:

Flow-Through (bypass) Whole House Humidifiers (passive and fan assisted) - they use a so-called water pad made out of foam, expanded aluminum, and some other materials. The water drips on top of the square pad and the air from the heating system flowing through the pad picks up the water particles and carries them through the air ducts and around the house. The remaining water (whatever wasn't picked up by the air) drains through the base of the whole house humidifier.

A whole house humidifier's water pad has to be replaced once a year before every cold season to perform efficiently and to prevent mold growth. For the homes utilizing private well or other sources with high levels of minerals, cleaning might be required more often.

For every gallon of water evaporated into humidity, Whole House Flow-Through Humidifiers waste between 5-8 gallons down the drain.

Drum Whole House Humidifiers - they have a drum shaped rotating frame (powered by a small, low voltage motor) and a foam or fabric sleeve pulled over it. The bottom section of the drum is always submerged in water which keeps the rotating foam / fabric moist and allows air flowing through the drum to pick up that moisture. The foam / fabric and the water in a small reservoir under the drum require regular maintenance! If you leave that water standing in an unused humidifier (for example during the summer), and then just start the whole house humidifier unit without cleaning it first, I guarantee that you'll be spreading mold spores through the entire house.

Wick Type Whole House Humidifiers - assembled out of a small reservoir and a filter (wick) that absorbs water from it. The entire humidifier is mounted inside the air duct, and in order to inspect it, you have to unscrew the cover plate and remove the entire unit - I don't recommended it, is cheap and easy to install, but that's all.

Spray Mist Whole House Humidifiers - as the name suggests, they spray water mist into the air duct and the mist is picked up by the flow through the air duct. Don't even consider this type if your house's water supply is a private or community well - it will contaminate the spray head immediately. Those are one of the cheapest and easiest to install types out of all the whole house humidifiers.

Steam Whole House Humidifiers - being the most expensive to purchase / install and not that cheap to operate, it consists of advanced technology and complicated designs. Steam whole house humidifier might operate with or independently from your system heat cycle. Whenever the humidity drops below the setting, they will activate your furnace blower and get the humidity to the right level independently from the thermostat settings. One of the known problems associated with this type of the whole house humidifier is that the water distributed with cold air (with operating furnace blower only / no heat) does not completely evaporate. Condensing on the air duct cold walls might sometimes cause bacteria and mold growth. If you like new gadgets and don't mind spending some serious money for it - go ahead - but it sill does require maintenance.

One more type of a Flow - Through type humidifier but this time almost 100% efficient (as claimed by the manufacturer).

Rotary Disc Furnace Mount Whole House Humidifier by Desert Spring: To be honest with you, I can't say much about it except for relaying information from the manufacturer's website, forums, and discussion boards. It sounds great because it is (as claimed by the manufacturer)

* the most effective furnace-mount humidifier on the market
* 100% efficient - 1:1 conversion of water to humidity
* uses only 4 Watts/hr of energy
* drain-less system - there's no need for a drain in your utility room / furnace location area
* very little maintenance with Auto-Flush accessory (you can do it manually every few days, depending on usage, minerals would only need to be removed every month or two in most regions of North America)
* never needs filters or pads replacement - uses self cleaning polycarbonate discs (non-absorbent plastic)

As with every product, there are those who love it and hate it.

Whole House Humidifier Maintenance:

1. Check your humidifier unit visually on a regular basis (it's hard to remember it especially if your whole house humidifier has been mounted in the crawlspace or attic area)
2. Make sure that there's no water dripping from the whole house humidifier itself and any of its components (water supply line, drain line, shutoff valve, enclosure, area underneath the unit, or furnace itself)
3. Replace the whole house humidifier water pad / evaporator pad / filter / foam on seasonal basis (or more often if required). Make sure that you re-assemble everything correctly to prevent water leaks
4. Clean the whole house humidifier components contaminated with mineral deposits after the heating season ends - it will be much easier to do it when everything is still wet and soft. You can use 50/50 vinegar-water solution for heavier contaminated components. Just soak them for 15-30 minutes (or longer if necessary) and that should help with cleaning.

For more valuable information from Dariusz Rudnicki, on how to maintain your real estate property, correct most common problems and learn extremely important house selling tips (including step by step self-performed home inspection), please visit http://www.checkthishouse.com

Dariusz is a licensed Illinois home inspector who has been in this business for over ten years, crawling through the areas you'd newer expect that even exist in your house ... just to let you now that everything is working properly... or not. If you need a home maintenance advice, you can always ask him for help.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dariusz_Rudnicki

Get Rid of Allergies and Other Respiratory Illnesses With Humidifiers

2011-01-09T01:34:00.000-08:00

What are Humidifiers?
A Humidifier is a kind of household appliance which increases moisture in the air of a room or the whole house. When the air that is circulating in your home is too dry, it makes it very uncomfortable to breathe, thus, irritating our lungs which can lead to respiratory illness, itchy skin, chapped lips, sore throat, nosebleed, etc. Dry air can also damage some of our furniture such as wood products and flooring.

During the winter season, it is very important that we add moisture in the air we breathe. It is because the dry winter air can bring down the humidity level of the air to as low as fifteen percent, which is undeniably drier than desert air. Fortunately, by increasing the humidity in the house, we can avoid these problems. Installing or adding up humidifiers in the house will be a very good option. It is also a good way to resolve the irritated lungs as well as the dry, itching skin. It can also help you save money by protecting your furniture.

How do Humidifiers Work?
The humidifiers work by adding up some moisture in the air, thus, raising the level of humidity in your home. Generally, humidifiers all work with one standard; it heats the air so that it can absorb moisture. When the relative humidity of the air reaches 100%, a person feels a lot hotter and that is because sweat does not evaporate. In contrast, if the relative humidity of the air is low, a person also feels very dry. The air's relative humidity really affects how a person feels. It also plays a large role in determining a person's comfort level. When the air is warmer, it can hold more water and produce more moisture. Air with low relative humidity is dry. Humidifiers play a part by controlling the varying levels of the air's relative humidity, therefore, affecting a persons level of comfort in their homes.

Home Evaporative Humidifier
The Evaporative humidifiers are the most common type of humidifiers. It only consists of few parts; the reservoir, the wick and the fan. It usually systemizes a foam or cloth wick or sheet to retract water out of the reservoir, a fan that blows over the wick would let the air take up moisture. This kind of humidifier is self-regulating. It is because when the relative humidity of the air is higher, it harder for the water to evaporate from its filter. While the humidity increases, its water vapor output decreases. Due to these kinds of abilities, these make it a very functional humidifier.

Evaporative humidifiers, which are very common nowadays, capture virtually almost all of the minerals and pollutants from water. They also get rid of the white dust that some ultrasonic humidifiers produce. This kind of technique works very effectively on both tabletop and console models and on the central evaporative humidifiers that is attached to the home heating system. They function by passing some air stream into a wet medium, for example dampened grill or a sponge. Some have honeycomb-type fiber panels which push water upwards from a reservoir, while others uses cloth or foam drum that rotates through a water-filled trough while air passes by. Still some humidifiers blow air into a woven aluminum pad which is drenched by a continuous stream of water.

Built-in Home Humidifier
The built-in home humidifiers help in the relief of cold symptoms by allowing you breathe a moistened air that keeps lungs more elastic. Accordingly, they reduce a person's susceptibility to infection by keeping the mucus membranes of throat and nasal passages moist. It also helps in the relief and prevention of dry lips as well as scratchy skin and also keeps nosebleeds in check. Built-in humidifiers can help prevent wooden floors from separating and buckling. They also reduce the static electricity, therefore reducing the little shocks that are received from touching certain objects and other people.

Furnace Humidifier
A furnace humidifier is attached in the furnace system. It is installed in the pipes and works along with the home's cooling and heating system in order to humidify the whole house. While these kinds of humidifiers are quite more costly than the other models, they are more efficient in energy and charge less in operating for long terms. Aside from yearly maintenance expenses, one would have to get the filters changed. When acquiring a furnace humidifier, a person should search for a model that has a humidistat. This will permit you to regulate the preferred humidity level. When the certain level is achieved, the humidifier will shut off, thus, avoiding the problem of over-humidifying.

For more information on Humidifiers For The Whole House and Buying Dehumidifier please visit our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann

Humidifiers - A First Time Buyers Guide

2011-01-05T01:31:00.000-08:00

The quality of outdoor air is a major concern for us all. Social groups do all they can to protect the environment and air. However, at the same time, people do not think about the polluted air they breathe and about the poor quality of air in offices and our homes. In most of the cases, the quality of indoor air is inferior to air outside.

Those living in a very dry climate find a humidifier a very convenient household appliance to increase the moisture in the room. Humidifiers can be used to humidify the whole house or a single room. Furnace humidifiers can be used to humidify the entire house when connected to HVAC system.

A fan, wick and reservoir constitute the basic parts of wick or evaporative humidifiers.

The reservoirs in the humidifiers come in different sizes and shapes. The output of moisture from the humidifier is made possible by the water stored in the containing tank of the humidifiers. Find more information at [http://www.humidifierheaven.info]

Water stored in the reservoir is absorbed by the wick which acts as a filter. Water gets evaporated through the wick depending upon the relative humidity. Higher evaparation will take place in a room with low humidity while in a room with high humidity, the evaporation will be low. This type of humidifier is self regulating. The evaporated water is circulated through the entire room with the help of the fan.

The wick in the humidifier needs regular cleaning and replacement. When it is not done it stops humidifying the area and the water level will remain constant. Humidifiers come in different varieties such as steam humidifiers or vaporizers, impelling humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers.

Steam humidifiers boil water and release the moisture and steam into the air. Medicated inhalant can be added to the stored water which will help reduce coughs. The boiling process creates lot of noise. These types of humidifiers are the least expensive.

Impeller humidifiers use a rotating disc which throws the water at the diffuser and the water is broken into very fine droplets and then float in the air.

Ultrasonic humidifiers use a metal diaphram vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency to produce water droplets which exit the humidifier in the form of a cool fog. This process causes the humidity to come down. This humidifier operates very silently. If not cleaned regularly it might cause contamination by bacteria in the water and in the surrounding atmosphere.

Distilled water should be used in ultrasonic and impeller humidifiers. Otherwise the minerals in the water precipitate as a fine dust which will cause health disorders. In wick humidifiers the wick traps the mineral desposits.

Lucy Bartlett is a proud contributing author. Find more articles here [http://financeandlegalportal.info/]. For more info visit Humidifiers [http://humidifierheaven.info/] or Ultrasonic Humidifiers [http://humidifierheaven.info/ultrasonic-humidifiers.html]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucy_Bartlett

Humidifiers and Your Home

2011-01-02T01:28:00.000-08:00

Living in hot, dry desert areas, like Nevada or Arizona, can take its toll on anyone. Dry heat in a home can cause dry skin and can dry out valuable wood furniture and house structures, leading to cracking and weakening of the wood. Dry air can also cause chapped lips, a dry, scratchy nose and throat, and can lead to more frequent colds and flu's. To combat the harmful effects of dry air in the home, it might be a great idea to consider getting a humidifier for the home. Before just going out to the nearest store and picking one up, it is a good idea to understand what the different types of humidifiers are and what sort of maintenance is necessary for each.

The most common type of humidifier is called an "evaporative" or "wick humidifier". This type of humidifier has a reservoir that water is stored in. An absorbent filter, called a "wick", pulls the water out of the reservoir to the outside air. The water then evaporates into the air and a fan blows the humid air throughout the room. The wick also filters the water to an extent, so the evaporated water particles will be cleaner than the water inside the reservoir. Evaporative humidifiers are self regulating because once the humidity reaches a certain level, water fails to evaporate from the wick. But if the relative humidity in the room is low, the water will evaporate faster.

Another kind of humidifier is the "vaporizer", "steam humidifier", or the "warm mist" humidifier. This type of humidifier boils the water from a reservoir. The steam that it creates is then blown into the room. The vapor from a steam humidifier is often cleaner than the vapor created from other types of humidifiers because the heat kills most microorganisms that may exist in the water. One downside to steam humidifiers is the fact that they can be noisy from the sound of boiling water. On the other hand, because of the simplicity of a vaporizer, it is normally the least expensive humidifier.

A third type of humidifier is the "impeller humidifier" which breaks the water into small particles which diffuse into the room. The impeller humidifier uses a rotating disk that flings the water into a comb-like diffuser which, in turn, breaks down the water droplets into very small particles. A concern with impeller humidifiers is that the water might become stagnant in the reservoir or there may be high levels of minerals in the water. These pollutants can then be expelled into the room. As long as the reservoir is kept clean there are normally very few problems with the impeller humidifier.

The final type of humidifier is the "ultrasonic" or "cool mist" humidifier. These humidifiers use a small metal diaphragm which vibrates extremely quickly. The vibrations of this diaphragm break down water droplets into very small particles which then spread throughout the room, normally as a cool fog. These humidifiers are often used as decorations and many of them have humidistats which will turn the humidifier on and off depending on what level of relative humidity you desire for your home. Unfortunately, ultrasonic humidifiers do face the same problems as impellers in that the water may contain microorganisms or minerals that are diffused into the air.

Maintenance for humidifiers varies very little from one type to the other. The most important thing to remember is to clean the reservoir often (at least once a month) with a non-abrasive brush to make sure that no microorganisms begin to grow in the standing water and also to clean out any mineral buildup. It is good to use hydrogen peroxide to clean the reservoir, but you can also use chlorine bleach, but with the former, make sure you rinse out the reservoir well to make sure you don't release harmful chemicals into the air. If the humidifier has a filter or a wick, make sure you read the maintenance for them and clean or replace them as often as specified. It is also a good idea to use distilled water in the reservoir instead of tap water to ensure that there are no minerals in the water, because these minerals will settle as a fine white dust throughout the room after passing through the humidifier.

Using a quality humidifier will begin to relieve dry skin and help your body fight the common cold and flu. It will also keep your valuable wood furniture from drying out and cracking. Be sure to shop around for the best humidifier for you before making your purchase. Also, take care to follow any maintenance specifications that go with the humidifier you choose. With proper maintenance, your humidifier will provide clean and refreshing air throughout your home for years to come.

Shawn Hart is an internet marketer for Air Conditioner Home. For more information about humidifiers and humidistats, visit http://www.Air-Conditioner-Home.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shawn_Hart

Do I Need a Steam, Ultrasonic Or Evaporative Humidifier?

2010-12-30T01:25:00.000-08:00

All humidifiers will add water to an atmosphere by either boiling water to create steam, releasing very fine sprays of moisture that evaporate or by evaporating water from a moistened surface through which air is blown.

The choice of humidifier will depend on your specific application, your available budget and your acceptable level of maintenance. Here is a brief overview of the three main types of humidifier used in domestic situations:

Spray / Ultrasonic
The cheapest type of domestic humidifier is often the ultrasonic, mist type humidifier. These units contain a reservoir of water and an oscillating plate. The intense vibrations caused by the rapidly oscillating plate cause the water to atomise into an airborne mist. A fan then blows this mist out of a vent and into the room.

These units are cheap to buy and also consume little energy when operating. However, the major disadvantage of using an ultrasonic humidifier is the dust that it introduces to a room. Any particulate matter that is present in the water will become airborne along with the water. When the water evaporates, the particulate matter will settle as dust in the room. This can aggravate symptoms in people with respiratory problems and therefore mitigate the beneficial effects of using the humidifier in the first place.

However, some modern ultrasonic humidifiers now incorporate technology that prevents this dust from being released. Some high quality ultrasonic humidifiers use demineralisation cartridges that absorb the minerals from the water prior to it being turned into a mist. This is very effective as long as the cartridges are occasionally replaced inline with the manufacturer's instructions. These types of modern ultrasonic humidifiers do cost more but the performance is head and shoulders above the cheaper ultrasonic humidifier.

Steam
Steam humidifiers provide very close control of humidity as the heat creating the steam can be rapidly increased or decreased in response to the room's current humidity. However, to provide this control they need to be used in conjunction with a humidistat. This does the same job as a thermostat but instead of controlling a heating or cooling system to maintain a set temperature, it controls a humidifier or dehumidifier to maintain a room's humidity.

Steam humidifiers provide very hygienic humidity control as the heating of the water kills all germs and the moisture released is sterile. A steam humidifier is the ideal choice for anyone with a respiratory illness, for raising the humidity in a nursery or for combating the symptoms of croup. They do need to be positioned out of reach when used in a nursery as the steam being release is obviously hot at the point of release.

This type of steam humidifier can be economical to buy in comparison with other types. Units that incorporate a humidistat can cost a bit more but have the advantage of not over-humidifying a room.

A disadvantage of using a steam humidifier is that they consume more energy than a spray or evaporative humidifier. A steam humidifier releasing up to 350g of water per hour may consume up to 325W per hour whereas an evaporative type of unit would only use between 10-20W.

The maintenance of a steam humidifier will involve occasionally removing the limescale that builds up inside the unit, similar to the scale that builds up in a kettle. This can be done relatively easily with a limescale removing powder. When not in use steam humidifiers should be emptied of water, cleaned and dried to prevent water stagnating inside the humidifier.

Evaporative
An evaporative humidifier introduces water into the air by allowing moisture to be simply evaporated. This consumes very little energy and is a hygienic way of humidifying as there are no aerosol sprays being released. Any particulate matter present in the water will remain in the humidifier after the water evaporates so there is no dust released into a room.

This type of system is also very quiet so can be used in a bedroom or similar quiet area.

There are two main types of evaporative humidifier. The more traditional type uses porous filters that are continually moisten and through which allow air is forced with a fan. As the air flows through the wet filter it picks up water and becomes optimally humidified.

The main disadvantage with this type of unit is that the filters need to be replaced regularly. The air in a home can be quite polluted with dust, skin, hair and other matter. These particles will be collected by the humidifier and remain on the filter as the air passes through. This has the advantage of cleaning the air but does mean the filters need replacing occasionally or they may begin to smell.

The other type of evaporative humidifier is an air washer. Instead of evaporative filters, an air washer incorporates many rotating discs that spin in a reservoir of water. A fan sucks air into the unit and forces it between the moist rotating discs, where it picks up water and becomes optimally humidified before being reintroduced into the room.

As the discs are made from toughened plastic, an air washer requires no replacement filters. The discs can simply be removed from the unit and cleaned. Some can even be placed in a dishwasher.

Cleaning will need to be carried out regularly to maintain hygienic operation but the frequency will depend on the quality of the room air.

Air washers have all the advantages of low running costs and air purification but with no ongoing commitment to buying spares. The disadvantage is that a quality air washer will cost more to buy than a filter-based evaporative humidifier but taking into account the savings on spares, the cost difference can soon be made up.

Duncan Buxton is Marketing Manager for AirAndWaterCentre.com - a leading online supplier of Humidifiers.

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Humidifier Ratings - Reviewing the Best Humidifiers For Your Health and Happiness

2010-12-27T01:23:00.000-08:00

Humidifiers are good for you. It is perfect for any home because it decontaminates the air circulating inside your home, and makes breathing easier for you. This is also basically the reason why you should opt to choose the best humidifier for your home. There are many leading brands of humidifiers such as Honeywell, Holmes, Bemis and Bionaire but with humidifier ratings, you will get to choose which brand will give you best results.

Best Whole-House Humidifier:
If you want your whole home to experience optimum humidity, choose Aprilaire whole house humidifier. Aprilaire whole house humidifier was first introduced back in 1954 and is considered as the first evaporative, flow-through design humidifier. It is directly installed to your heating or cooling system and works by sending out water vapor to increase humidity. The distribution tray is filled with water and vapor is evenly spread across the water panel. Humidified air is dispensed through the heating and cooling system canal in your home. Only Aprilaire humidifiers have Automatic Digital Humidifier Control that monitors outdoor temperature and indoor humidity level and also provide you reminders in maintenance and safe use.
Whole-house humidifiers have an advantage over portable ones because whole-house humidifiers are able to control humidity levels all throughout the house and gives out the just right amount of humidity you need.
Best Warm-Mist Humidifier:
According to reviews of users, the best warm mist humidifier is Honeywell Warm Mist Humidifier. Warm mist humidifiers do best in reducing sinus-related problems, headaches and infections. Honeywell assures you of a healthier feeling. This humidifier has adjustable humidistat that maintains the selected moisture level. It automatically shuts down once the desired humidity level is reached and provides you with power, refill and desired humidity lights. Unlike other humidifiers, the tank is clear so you can easily see whether it needs filling.
Cheapest Humidifier:
If you are looking for a cheap but working and brand new humidifier, you should go for Holmes Humidifier. It can be bought online with the starting price of $25. Aside from its low price, it is also a good humidifier and you are still assured of its quality. Holmes also has a variety of models and you can choose for either cold-mist or warm-mist humidifier. Holmes cold-mist humidifiers have FilterCheck monitors that check the filter condition. It also has Microban Antimicrobial Product Protection that stops the growth of odor causing bacteria and mold that can affect the performance of the humidifier.
Sleek-Looking Humidifier:
Do you want a humidifier that won't clash your décor? Well, Bionaire humidifier is for you. The Bionaire tower humidifier does not disagree with your interior design because of its black and silver color combination. It definitely does not take space and you can just put it in the corner of your room An excellent feature of Bionaire humidifier is its Bionaire Filters with CarbonX. With this, contaminants and bad odor are filtered with the odor-absorbing carbon. This brand also has a Microban Antimicrobial Product protection that stops the growth of bacteria, molds and other pollutants that can harm the parts.
Like other humidifiers, Bionaire humidifiers can either be warm-mist or cool-mist and choosing which is better is a matter of taste. It also has a humidistat that helps you monitor and change the humidity level. It also contains a filter change reminder that tells you whether the filter needs changing or cleaning.
Pro-Healthier Air Humidifier:
Bemis Humidifier, instead of using heat or ultrasound, uses the natural process of evaporation in humidifying the environment. By using this natural process, white dust or residues from mineral fall out are avoided. Therefore, it allows healthier air to circulate around your home. Bemis humidifiers can either be cold-mist or warm-mist and they go in different sizes that match your needs. It also has a built-in humidistat that monitors the humidity level automatically.
Humidifiers help provide high quality air for you and your family. Choose the brand that is suitable for your needs and your budget. It doesn't have to be expensive, you just need to know which brand will satisfy your needs and will give you optimum results.

Mary has been writing articles for over 4 years. Please visit her latest website about home products, such as our latest Humidifier Ratings, with information on the Honeywell Humidifier products, as well as other fine devices that anyone who loves to breathe quality air would be interested in.

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