A few buying tips will make your humidifier shopping a little easier. If you are not sure that you really need a humidifier, you may want to measure the humidity level in your home with a hygrometer. They are inexpensive and can help you monitor the air you breathe to maintain it at optimum level.
Determine The Type of Humidifier You Need
First, you need to decide what type of humidifier you are looking for, whether warm or cool mist. If you're not sure, maybe the FAQ on the differences between warm and cool mist models will help you determine what is best for you. There are also models that humidify and purify the air - these are usually a little more expensive, but may be worth considering.
Determine Capacity
What size of room are you looking to humidify? Humidifiers are rated for coverage area in sq. ft. Take measurements to determine the correct room size you are looking for. Models for 700 sq. ft. are adequate for a bedroom or small room. If the humidifier is too large for the room, condensation will appear on the inside of the windows, and bacteria and mold could grow in this environment.
Refilling Convenience
Portable room units are sold in varying sizes of water reservoirs, from 1 litre to 5 gallons or larger. This is a convenience factor - how often do you want to refill it? A 2-gallon will usually run for 1-1/2 days, but a 1 litre will require refilling every 8 hours or so. Run time will decrease substantially if the unit is operated on high. Packaging or product description will usually denote how long the unit will run on a filling.
Ease of Handling & Maintenance
Some water tanks are a little harder to remove and refill, some lift off easily. Could the weight of a full tank be a problem for you? Take time to inspect the unit to see how easy the water tank removes from the unit. Also note if the model will require filter changes, check on availability, and how easy they are to change. Consider purchasing a couple of filters along with your new humidifier.
Operation Noise Level & Settings
If the humidifier is for a bedroom, you may want to look for a unit that has a low or silent option. This being said, my silent model is not really that quiet, but we adapted quickly to it. It actually helps to 'drown' out other household noises. You should have at least two settings on the unit, high and low options.
Safety Shut Off & Other Features
Many models have safety features where the unit will shut off automatically when the water reservoir is empty. This is really a must-have feature. If you cannot tell from the packaging, this is certainly worth asking the retailer. Otherwise, you need to be diligent to shut it off when it runs dry. Another great feature, is a built-in humidistat which regulates the operation to maintain the set humidity level in your home.
Benefits of Humidifier Filters
Many portable room humidifiers do not have filters, and when water is expelled as a vapor, the mineral deposits in the water forms a white dust that accumulates on the furniture in the room. Filters will trap these deposits and reduce the presence of this dust.
Regular Maintenance & Warranty
All humidifiers require regular cleaning to reduce bacterial growth. Check the product information as some models have dishwasher-safe water reservoirs which makes cleaning easier. The base of the unit also requires a manual cleaning regularly. Warranties are generally 1 year, but there are some models with longer periods. These units are affordable and replacement usually is more economical than trying to get it serviced after the warranty expires.
