3 Features to Consider When Choosing a Humidifier

Winter is officially here, and keeping your home filled with clean, moist air may not be at the top of your home winterizing check list. But it should be! Dry air can cause all sorts of issues such as dry skin, respiratory issues, and even furniture deterioration! Adding a humidifier can significantly impact your comfort and well-being and can combat those issues before they start. So, when looking for a humidifier, what are some features you should consider? That depends on what's most important to you. From the size of the room to the type of humidifier that suits your needs, we'll give you the three important aspects to consider when choosing a humidifier, ensuring you make an informed decision that enhances your living environment. Say goodbye to discomfort and hello to the optimal humidity levels that contribute to a healthier and more pleasant indoor atmosphere!

Ultrasonic

These types of humidifiers use metal or ceramic plates that rub together against water to produce vibrations which result in a mist that is expelled out of the humidifier and into your space. This mist can be cool or warm, depending on the humidifier. Keep in mind - any humidifier that does not boil water to produce mist runs the risk of creating bacteria in the tank and dispersing it into the room. That makes disinfecting the humidifier a high priority. Ultrasonic humidifiers also tend to be filter-less, which saves on operation costs, but can create a fine white dust that may irritate allergies.  

Evaporative

Evaporative humidifiers seem to be the most common and basic. A wick filter draws in water from the tank, and a built-in fan blows air across it evaporating the water and turning it into vapor. The vapor is then pushed out of the humidifier as cool mist. These humidifiers do not produce warm mist. Therefore, they tend to be the safest for homes with kids or pets. In contrast to its ultrasonic counterpart, evaporative humidifiers are more hygienic. They contain filters, and thus, don't create as much dust as those particles are trapped by the filter. Some evaporative humidifiers can also utilize essential oils, filling the room with your favorite calming scent. 

Steam Vaporizers

This type of humidifier uses electricity to boil and turn water into steam vapor. The mist dispersed into the air is typically hot, so if you have children or pets, this may not be the one for you. However, the mist is very clean. 

Size/Capacity

Not only do you need to determine what size of humidifier you want, but also think about the size of the room you want to moisturize. You can find humidifiers for any size of room. From tabletop designs to whole house, most are listed based on square footage reach. Smaller humidifiers have a shorter mist reach and vice versa. However, there are some smaller humidifiers that come with an extendable wand to help increase mist reach. Don't confuse capacity with mist output, though. The mist output is usually twice as much as the water tank capacity. For example, if the water tank can hold 1 gallon of water, it will most likely output 2 gallons worth of mist.

What if you choose a humidifier but now you're seeing condensation on your windows in the room with the humidifier. This means that the humidifier is too large for the room or running at too high of speed. This can also lead to an increase in bacteria and result in mold or mildew. Models for 700 square feet are more than enough for a typical bedroom or living room.

Maintenance

Choosing a humidifier that contains a filter will require more maintenance and cost than those without. Depending on the filter, you may be able to clean it instead of replacing it. Refer to the humidifier's manual for specific instructions regarding the filter. Also pay attention to the filter changing process. How easy is it? Is the filter difficult to access? Are the filters easily purchased or are they always out of stock? Both filter and filter-less humidifiers require frequent cleaning to prevent bacteria build-up. You can find those cleaning instructions in the humidifier's manual. 

Another aspect of maintenance to consider is filling the water tank. The easiest humidifiers to use have a top-fill design - meaning you may just have to remove the top of the humidifier to fill the water tank. Others are harder to remove and refill. The size of the water tank could pose an issue as well. Larger tanks are heavier and vice versa. No matter what, always refer to the humidifier's manual for proper care and maintenance. 

Obviously, there are other factors that come into play when choosing the right humidifier for your home, such as price, noise level, color/design, and warranty. We recommend determining the top three important factors to start your search. Take your time, choose one that fits your lifestyle, and enjoy a balanced and comfortable atmosphere for you and your loved ones. 

To view the LivePure line of high-quality humidifiers, click here.