Table of Contents
Choosing a Best Humidifier
When choosing a humidifier, you will come in contact with a wide selection of brands and types to pick from and thus you should consider the benefits of each and everyone as you could find yourself buying a ineffective humidifier if you actually choose the wrong model type for your house.
You may find yourself in total confusion through all of the conditions that surround humidifiers and thus you must look at best humidifier evaluations 2013 to learn more that might help you make a wise selection and purchase.
A Honeywell whole home humidifier is installed on your furnace to make sure that it could humidify the heated air that enters your house’s ventilation system.
The furnace humidifier is additionally called a bypass humidifier because it bypasses the air that comes out of the furnace, cleans it then it releases the new, fresher air into your house.
Popular brand names like Aprilaire and Honeywell whole house humidifiers have helped many households enhance the air high quality in their homes. The air is fresher, cleaner and healthier, as well.
But, the appliance you decide on for your home will depend on more upon your very own preference and budget. There are numerous forms of humidifiers which include hot air as well as great devices for the house.
Cool mist humidifiers are usually chosen in warmer places since they eradicate bacteria triggered by the warm temperature, but those who have a home that’s cold might opt to get a steam humidifier.
To eliminate any risks make sure to clean a humidifier in the way proposed by the maker. A great rule to go by is to thoroughly clean the reservoir regularly with water and soap.
The best humidifiers can be found in various types with all sorts of design and purpose. Before you go to an electronic shop, read the reviews and reviews of different types of humidifier to help relieve your selection.
For instance, you can find both warm and cool mist humidifiers. These are types that clean the air and help to keep appropriate home moisture but usually have a markup price.
Other styles of humidifiers could produce humidity and steam in two different ways – the common and cheapest one is the evaporating design while ultrasonic kinds produce fine water mist frequently and considered better.
This is because evaporating humidifiers contain warm water which really is a risk to young ones at home. Overall, humidifiers are most readily useful placed in the family room or bedroom to simply help ease cool, flu and sinus disease. Check out this.
Shopping online is incredibly convenient however you can never be too certain concerning the honesty of the retailers in this age and day.
Low humidity also makes the air feel colder than it actually is. Dry air can also dry out the wood in the walls and floors of our houses. As the drying wood shrinks, it can cause creaks in floors and cracks in drywall and plaster.
It may be not difficult to search for humidifier reviews but it is much less simple to find reviews on a certain company, particularly if it’s a tiny company that is just getting started.
You will find sites which have a proof system to provide assurance to buyers but however it still leaves one uncertain and cautious.
Here are 3 Best Selling Humidifier:
Frequantly Asked Questions
What are humidifiers good for?
When should you use a humidifier?
Which is better warm or cool mist humidifier?
Are humidifiers good for allergies?
Air Purifiers Provide Comfortable Environments
Air purifiers are vital products for many people, because for them, clean air isn’t something to take for granted. People living with asthma, allergies and pets often turn to air purifiers to make life more comfortable and create a better environment.
The newest generation of air purifiers uses specialized filters to tackle problem odors and chemicals. Look for air purifiers that use activated carbon-blend filters to trap odors and gases.
We’ve also tested an air purifier that uses silver ions to kill the DNA in airborne bacteria and viruses. Today, even the smallest air purifiers pack a punch; many diminutive models can clear the same square-feet area as larger, bulkier air purifiers.
The air purifiers we’ve selected as the “best of the best” range in price from $300 to $800, and many offer nearly identical features and performance.
IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier
The IQAir HealthPro Plus has one of the most effective filtering systems we’ve tested. It has three filters, including the V5 Cell, which uses a five-chamber filtration method.
Each chamber has activated carbon and aluminum to trap odors and gases. Plus, the V5 Cell will only need to be replaced every 12 to 24 months. And, unlike some air purifiers that simply remove obvious particles and odors, the IQAir HealthPro Plus is a master of subtlety.
It can absorb more than 200 gases and odors from the air, including tricky pollutants such as dust mites and paint fumes.
It runs quietly and is effective in rooms up to 900 square feet. We love the IQAir HealthPro Plus’s remote control. It gives us the option of fine-tuning the IQAir’s noise or cleaning levels.
At 35 pounds, don’t expect the IQAir HealthPro Plus to be a wallflower, but we think that’s a small price to pay for its exceptional performance.
Blueair 601 Air Purifier
The Blueair 601 air purifier is a welcome addition to the home or office of allergy sufferers. This HEPA-type air filter is a hard worker, making six air changes per hour, and it effectively clears rooms up to 679 square feet.
The Blueair 601 runs quietly on its first three operating speeds; it isn’t until it hits the fourth (and highest) speed that the noise is detectible.
And, unlike some air purifiers that make you want to turn up your collar against the drafts they create, the Blueair 601 efficiently exchanges air without creating a breeze.
Keep in mind that the filter must be replaced every six months to keep the warranty in effect, and this expense should be factored into one’s budget. Something worth noting:
The Blueair 601 Air Purifier has a SmokeStop filter option, but this is not included in the standard package — it costs about $70 more.
Austin Air HealthMate HM-200 Jr. Air Purifier
The Austin Air HealthMate HM-200 Jr. HEPA air purifier packs the power of a full-size model in a petite package.
Based on the full sized HM-400, the HM-200 Jr. uses three filters to clean the air: a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter and a HEPA filter. It weighs just 18 pounds, yet it can clear rooms up to 700 square feet, which we find is an impressive accomplishment given this air purifier’s small size.
The Austin Air HealthMate HM-200 is portable enough to take to the office, or to move throughout one’s home. It has three operating speeds and runs quietly on each speed.
For people with severe chemical sensitivities, the HM-200 has the option of using a specialized filter (not included with the standard model). Overall, the Austin Air HealthMate HM-200 Jr. Air Purifier is a solid performer.
Alen A350 Air Purifier
The Alen A350 air purifier specializes in clearing pollen, mold, dust and other allergens from the air. What really sets this air purifier apart, however, is that it can be used as a wall-mounted unit (it is a slim 8-1/5-inches wide).
This is a handy option for people in small spaces, such as offices or apartments. The Alen A350 uses a filter that is a combination of three types — HEPA, carbon and pre-filter — so there’s only one filter to replace.
Plus, it’s one of the lowest-priced filters we’ve found (about $40), so it won’t cost a fortune to replace it every six months. The Alen A350 has four speed settings, but we especially love its 12-hour timer that automatically shuts the unit off.
Although the Alen A350 can clear spaces up to 800 square feet, the manufacturer recommends using it in rooms about half that size for maximum efficiency.
Which Air Purifier Is Right for You?
The basic thing to consider when you search for the best air purifier in India is a machine’s Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which gives you a thought of how effective it is at cleaning the air in a room.
The CADR score was built up by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) to demonstrate what amount sifted air a purifier delivers to the room it’s in. Basically, each air purifier we looked into has three separate CADR scores: one for smoke, one for dust and one for pollen.
The higher the CADR scores, the better the machine is at evacuating airborne contaminations in your home. Take note of that not each air purifier available has CADR scores, making it difficult to analyze them against others.
CADR scores can also help you decide the measure of space to utilize the machine in. AHAM takes the smoke CADR score and products it by 1.55 to build up an air purifier’s suggested room measure.
As a general guideline, you never need to utilize the best air purifier for the home in a room bigger than the prescribed size, as it winds up noticeably incapable or even pointless. Or maybe, you need to purchase the best air purifier for the home that has a prescribed room measure more noteworthy than the extent of the real room you will utilize it in.
The Pros and Cons
Pros: They are portable—most room air purifiers usually weigh from 10 to 20 pounds, have a handle, and stand on the floor or on a table, whereas heavier models might have wheels.
Many have a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which can capture ultrafine particles. Keep in mind: Most HEPA filters require to be replaced every year, an expense that might approach the cost of the air cleaner, but a few models are now present with cleanable HEPA filters.
Cons: Versatile models that use either electrostatic-precipitator or ionizer innovation could deliver some ozone, a lung aggravation. Devoted ozone generators, a subcategory of room models, deliver a lot of ozone by the outline.
As per makers, that is to lessen allergens, for example, clean, smoke, dust, germs, and form. Ozone, even, is a genuine wellbeing issue, inciting the State of California to boycott the offer of ozone generators (and other air purifiers that radiate more than 50 sections for every billion of ozone) from the general market.
Room Air Purifier Features
Fan: Most room air purifiers use a fan to suck in air for cleaning. Those without a fan run more quietly, but those we tested without fans worked badly.
Servicing indicator: A clogged air cleaner works badly. This feature enables you to know when the unit wants to be cleaned or the filter replaced.
Programmable timer: These controls let you set the purifier to run a few hours before you’ll be using a room, or turn it off automatically.
Carrying handle: Makes it easy to move the unit from room to room.
A number of speeds: The unit adjusts to your air-cleaning requirements—lower when you are sleeping or working and need quiet, higher when it’s prime pollen time.
Ionizer: If a unit has an ionizer (that attracts particles via an effect like static electricity), it’s necessary that it not produce ozone (it may say on the box or in an operation manual; you can also check our ratings). Ozone is a possible lung irritant.
Remote control: Lets you easily adjust settings from across the room.
Dirt sensor: In some room models, the unit automatically adjusts fan speed to the level of dirt or dust in the air.
Washable pre-filter: A washable—and reusable—pre-filter collects large particles; if it’s washable, it can help cut overall costs. However, many of our higher-rated models did not have this option.
No or very low ozone: Specialists say that ozone is powerful in killing smells and substance gasses. They additionally say this is an exemplary situation where the cure is more terrible than the sickness as large amounts of ozone can be lethal. If you choose an electronic best air purifier, picked a plan that discharges low or, even better, no ozone. Skip ozone generators sold as air cleaners by and large.
What is CADR?
CADR, or clean-air conveyance rate, is a measure of an air purifier’s effectiveness. CADR is dictated by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and is an ideal approach to telling what measure room the best air purifier can work adequately in. A CADR over 350 is great, and underneath 100 is extremely poor. The CADR of your purifier ought to be no under 2/3s the square film of the room you plan to utilize it in.
What Is Ionization?
Ionization is a procedure by which charged particles are discharged into the air. These charged particles then tie themselves to pollutions in the air and either get dragged once more into the purifier’s filter or constrain the impurities to settle on a close-by surface. Best Air purifiers that exclusive offer ionization regularly make little pockets of earth and clean accumulate on dividers or furniture, while Best air purifiers that have a particle generator and also a channel will trap the polluting impurities.
Understanding Air Purifier Technology
Our Verdict & Recommendations
During our assessment of each best air purifier, we tried the noise levels, airflow, and energy utilization to build up a more profound comprehension of each model and help you locate the correct one for your necessities. While you look for your air cleaner, ensure you consider which room you need it to be found.
If you need to utilize the machine in the kitchen or family room amid the day, you don’t generally need to stress over how noisy it is during operation.
Best air purifier on this main ten rundown has been altogether appraised, inspected and contrasted with it’s nearest rival on our site and a total rundown of brands and models can be found in that segment.
How to Maintain Humidifier
After a series of articles on the best humidifier for baby, the benefits of humidifier and humidifier types available on the market was somewhat brings helpful information for you. In this article we will cover how to maintain a humidifier to be able to use the most durable and most beneficial to the health of your child and your family.
While there are a wide range of affordable humidifiers to choose from in the market, many appreciate being able to enjoy their use for as many years as possible. The key to enjoying this long life lies in regular and proper maintenance. Here are a few ways in which you can keep your humidifier working problem free, well beyond its warranty period.
Tips to Proper Humidifier Maintenance
Lack of maintenance in humidifiers can lead to the accumulation and growth of various types of bacteria and germs in the water. This is typically caused by a failure to clean the device’s components, not changing the water regularly, or making use of mineral rich tap water during refills. By following the guidelines below you can better protect your device and your health.
- Change out water daily – water that has stagnated in the reservoir for days provides the ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Make it a habit to empty out the water and wipe down the interior of the reservoir daily before refilling with clean fresh water. When the humidifier is not in use, be sure to empty out the water before storing it away.
- Carry out complete cleaning twice weekly – invest in a soft bristled brush and a mild cleanser that you can use of thoroughly cleaning the interior of the tank. Also, wipe down all other components of the humidifier. Be sure to wait until the parts are completely dry before putting the humidifier back together and refilling it with clean fresh water.
- Use distilled water – mineral rich water is not just a problem because of the white powder it leaves behind when the vapor has settled, but also encourages the formation of a film in the water reservoir. This dirty film also helps to promote mold and bacteria growth. Using distilled or de-mineralized water helps to limit the white dust that can trigger allergies and reduces the risk of bacteria exposure.
- Use mild natural cleansers – there are many chemical humidifier cleansers to be found in the market. Unfortunately, there are those that can trigger allergic reactions when touched or inhaled. It is highly recommended that homeowners make use of natural solutions like white vinegar and tea tree oil. They not only disinfect, they are also easier on the nose.
- Replace cartridges and filters as recommended – Always go through the manufacture provided manual so as to know how often you should replace parts like filters and demineralization cartridges. Some devices come equipped with indicator lights that make it easier to tell when to do this.
- Consider germ-killing humidifiers – there are options of humidifiers that come with germ killing action. They are typically equipped with germicidal UV lights or special inserts that sanitize water before it is turned into vapor. Be sure to adhere to the manufacturer guidelines on how to care for these parts.
Remember that regular cleaning and maintenance is not just useful in prolonging the life of your humidifier, it also ensures that the air you are breathing is safe and free of possible contamination from microorganisms that can build up in the unit. Bacteria and germs do often find their way into poorly maintained devices and can eventually lead to the development of dangerous medical conditions.
Humidifier fever is a unique condition linked to the repeated use of ill-maintained devices. It is characterized by the inhalation of vapor that is contaminated and manifests through symptoms such as lung inflammation, fever, cough and tiredness. If the situation is prolonged, it can even lead to lung disease. To avoid this problem, be strict in your cleaning and maintenance regimen, and you should be able to healthily enjoy the numerous benefits of a well humidified home or workplace.
Humidifier Vs Dehumidifier Vs Diffusers – What is the Differences?
Introduction
For good health, our house must have a relative humidity of not less than 30% but not more than 50%. However, this can be very challenging to achieve during dry heat or there’s too much moisture in the house.
Humidifier vs Dehumidifier vs Diffusers
What is a Humidifier?
The purpose of a humidifier is to increase the moisture content of the area. Thus, if the humidity level falls below 30% or 35%, humidifier will increase it. It’s usually used during winter. When the air is cold and dry in one room or the whole house, a humidifier may be turned on.
Having dry, itchy skin and chapped lips are common signs and symptoms of experiencing low humidity. This is the reason a humidifier is installed in areas with low humidity to prevent those signs and symptoms.
A humidifier is mostly suitable when you need to moisten your dry skin or relieve nasal passages that have been dried up because of common cold. This works best in a children’s room as kids are more prone to common colds.
Humidifier is of two common types: cool mist humidifier and warm mist humidifier.
What is a Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier, on the other hand, is installed in areas where there are higher temperatures or high relative humidity. With this unit, too much moisture is pulled out of the air to prevent the growth of molds, spores and dust mites, which are triggering factors of allergies and asthma.
During warm or humid climate, a dehumidifier is turned on. This is also the unit you’d like to have in your basement. It’s usually recommended to alleviate allergy symptoms as it can eliminate dust mites, molds and mildews.
Unlike humidifier, dehumidifier is turned on when humidity becomes higher than 50%.
Dehumidifier is of different types. You can purchase mechanical, air conditioner, desiccant, makeshift or electronic. It depends on your needs and preferences.
Should you choose Humidifier or Dehumidifier?
In selecting these two, you’ll need to analyze the relative humidity of a particular area in your house. If it falls below 35%, you’ll need a humidifier. If it is higher than 50%, you’ll need a dehumidifier.
How about diffusers?
Diffusers do not increase or decrease moisture content of an area. Rather, they’re applied solely for aromatherapy purposes. They’re available in different shapes, forms and sizes. Their main purpose is to diffuse essential oil into the air for health benefits.
If you need to inhale extracts of plants to alleviate your allergies, you may use a diffuser for this purpose. Essentially, diffusers are used to extract herbs for inhalation. They boil water to create moisture. The steam is inhaled by the user.
Diffusers may emit hot vapors. Thus, they shouldn’t be used in children’s rooms. You may also add some accessories, like inhalants. This is to facilitate breathing.
Tips on Cleaning a Humidifier
Humidifiers save our lives during winter but it can also pose health risks if not cleaned and tended regularly. Read on to understand better how humidifier works and how it could be managed.
Low level of humidity usually happens during winter season when the cold air outside is heated inside the house with electric heaters or fireplace. When cold air is heated the humidity drops to as low as 10-20%.
The ideal level of humidity is 40-50%. However, during winter it can dangerously drop down to 10-20%. Low humidity can be a cause of dry mucous membranes along the lining of throat and nose. When this happens, respiratory distress such as sinusitis, asthma, allergy, cough and colds, and even nose bleed occur.
Low humidity can also have adverse effect on wooden furniture. It can cause joints to get loose or shrink. Wood may also have a tendency to crack and warp. Not only wood but also papers, books, and artworks could warp, or, shrink, or worse, it could grow brittle.
Excessive low humidity can also cause static electricity. Static electricity occurs when there is an imbalance of electric charges on the surface of materials. It can destroy semiconductor devices
which is a component of most of our electronic devices. Textiles could also stick into each other because of static cling. Dust and small particles stubbornly stick to electrically charged surfaces.
Humidifiers address these problems. It increases humidity in a balanced level and enhance the quality of air which is beneficial to people with respiratory problems, especially asthma.
Humidifiers keep the air hydrated keeping us away from the spell of dry skin and lip-cracking. It makes it easier to breathe giving young infants comfort in sleep. And of course, it keeps our furniture intact.
These are the reasons why humidifiers are a total requirement in every household.
However, a humidifier which is not properly cared for and not cleaned regularly can be detrimental to our health. Molds and bacteria usually inhabit the tanks and they grow there. When mist gets into the house, the air carry the bacteria which are called airborne invaders that cause ear infection, strep throat and pneumonia.
So here is how we should clean and maintain our humidifiers.
The molds, bacteria, and other foreign elements such as dust and other particles accumulate inside the humidifier that turns into what we usually call, “gunk”.
Before you attempt to clean your humidifier, always check your manual and refer to the cleaning instructions of your appliance.
MAINTAINING
Always empty the water inside the humidifier and refill it with clean and purified water every single day. This will keep the “gunk” from accumulating inside the machine. At the same time, it will help in keeping the airborne invaders not proliferate in the air.
Make sure to clean, sanitize, and disinfect your machine once in every week.
CLEANING
Remove your humidifier from the plug then take off the filter. Rinse the filter with cool and clean water under the faucet. Do not use chemical based solutions like soap in rinsing your filter because it can destory your machine. Dry the filter with a piece of cloth and let the excess water dry out.
Take out the water tank then pour a considerable amount of undiluted vinegar (preferably, white vinegar) in the base of the humidifier. Let the vinegar sit on the base for 30 minutes. Swish the vinegar all through the container to make sure that it covers the entire base.
Get a soft bristle brush and scrub thoroughly the build-up residue within the container. Repeat the process until the gunk disappears. Then, rinse thoroughly with clean water.
DISINFECTING
When you are done cleaning your humidifier, it is advisable that you disinfect it. Prepare a solution by mixing a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water. Pour the solution into the water tank.
You can also use 3% of hydrogen peroxide if you prefer.
Swish the solution all throughout the tank to coat it evenly and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, you can rinse if thoroughly.
Dry all parts of your humidifier with a clean towel and reassemble the machine. Pour clean water into the water tank. Your humidifier can now resume to its regular use.
Most homes is humid for up to 15% when heated. So be sure to humidify your home but be vigilant with molds and bacteria. Always give your household a comfort of a home.
How to Fix a Humidifier that Doesn’t Steam?
Technology is indeed a life saving invention that we can never really afford to take for granted. Appliances basically make our lives easier and tolerable. However, just like any other product of technology, they sometimes malfunction leaving you stranded and hand tied. Most people simply head out to the store, purchase new ones and swiftly move on with their lives. In most cases, this is an unnecessary expense as the problem is minor and able to be fixed.
Humidifiers are vital household appliances which are considered a must have for modern homes. The health benefits associated with them are vast and even life saving. If you are experiencing some sort of problem with yours you may want to hold your horses before grabbing your wallet and heading to the stores for a new one. Sometimes humidifiers fail to produce steam. This is a common and minor problem that can be effectively fixed through some easy steps. The best thing about it is that you can do it yourself in just a few minutes.
Step 1
Electrical appliances can cause bodily harm and even death is mishandled. It is important to ensure that your humidifier is unplugged from the power source in order to prevent electrocution. Ensure that the appliance is also empty for easy handling and to avoid unnecessary spills and messes. Simply imagine how easy and safe it would be working on an empty and unplugged humidifier as opposed to the alternative. That is enough reason to drive you into doing the right thing.
Step 2
Your appliance probably came with a special wrench/screw driver in its box upon purchase. If yours didn’t, you can find one in electronic stores. Use this tool to unscrew the two tiny screws at either side (top) of the humidifier where the steam is emitted. Underneath the cap, you will notice two elements which are removable. It is better if you let them stay in place during this procedure. These are responsible for heating up the water which then creates steam. If the main problem was steam emission, you will notice that the elements are coated with a thick black matter. This is mineral collection which naturally forms if you have been using hard water in the appliance.
This matter wraps around the two heating elements hence interfering with their ability to conduct heat. This in turn fails to conduct electricity hence declaring the appliance faulty. Simply remove the build up from the elements by chipping it off. Do it carefully so as not to damage them. Do not use a sharp object such as a knife.
Step 3
Replace the elements in their rightful sockets if you had removed them. Replace the cap, fill it with water and plug it in. It should be fully operational because the elements can heat the water well enough to produce steam.
After your humidifier is brought back to life, it is important to see to it that you follow some money saving guidelines. These may save you a lot of money and trouble in the future.
Tips
1. Always see to it that you read and understand the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions before operating your humidifier. Different brands have different instructions and rules. The top brands which also happen to be the pricey ones do not require much of your manual input. They function impressively well and for longer. Ordinary brands may require you to follow some strict guidelines if they are to serve you well.
2. It is important that you avoid using hard water in your humidifier. Soft or distilled water will prevent mineral build up which greatly strains your appliance as it literally struggles to function. This will cut short its life hence forcing you to dig deeper into your pockets to have it repaired or replaced.
3. Avoid opening up your humidifier especially if you do not have the skills to repair electronics. Chances are that you will make things worse if you interfere with the wiring within. You might also lose some screws and other vital parts in the process. If you are new to this, have someone else, preferably and expert, fix it for you.
4. Remember, humidifiers just like any other electronic appliances, are different. What works for one person might not work with yours. If yours seems complicated in design, you are better off having the brand company’s technical team have a look at it.