What You Need To Know About Humidifiers

The ABCs of Humidifiers

What is a humidifier? A humidifier is a machine that is designed to add moisture to the air inside your home. The purpose is to mitigate the negative effects of dry air on our health as well as on our home furnishings.

Infographic Provided by American Residential Services

Can you have too much humidity in the home? Yes, that’s why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that the humidity level not exceed 50%. Higher levels encourage the growth of organisms that aggravate allergies and asthma.

What are the benefits of humidifiers? A humidity level of 30% to 50% improves your family’s health, protects your furniture and floors, and may reduce your heating bills. The accompanying resource lists and explains these benefits.

What types of humidifiers are available? Humidifiers include steam vaporizers, evaporators, ultrasonic humidifiers, impeller humidifiers and whole home humidifiers. Only the whole home unit humidifies the entire house; the other four are portable models appropriate for single rooms. Read our resource to learn more about the various types of humidifiers.

Choosing a Humidifier

How do you decide which humidifier is best for you? If you wish to add moisture to a single room, then consider the following:

  • Do you plan to put a humidifier in a child’s room? A cool mist unit is safer than one that heats or boils water.
  • Some models have settings for adjusting the humidity, while others do not. Decide if this is important for you.
  • What size room do you plan to humidify? Read the specs to make sure you buy the right machine for your space.

To humidify your entire house, please consult with an air quality specialist. Only a professional can help you select the right whole home (central) humidifier for your needs and install it correctly.

Humidifier Tips and Tricks

Maintain the proper humidity. Be sure to add the right amount of humidity to a room or your home. Purchase a hygrometer to measure the moisture — be sure to keep the humidity level between 30% and 50%.

Use distilled water. Tap water can release minerals and other particles into the air that cause bacterial growth. Always use distilled, demineralized or purified water in your portable humidifier.

Keep your portable machine clean. Empty the water tank and clean the humidifier after every use. Standing water may contain mold or fungi. Scale, which may cause lung problems, should be removed by cleaning with water and vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer.

Regularly maintain your whole home (central) humidifier. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacing filters. Call a professional for regular maintenance per the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

Replace the humidifier as necessary. Hard-to-clean deposits may build over time and encourage the growth of harmful bacteria. No machine lasts forever!

 Scott Swisher is Vice President of Risk Management and Safety at American Residential Services/Rescue Rooter. Swisher has more than 29 years of experience with home service companies, including emergency HVAC service; plumbing, sewer and drain service; electrical; and attic insulation.