Dear AT,
I am trying to purchase a humidifier but I am overwhelmed by:
a. how ugly they are
b. the vast differences in price for similarly-sized units
c. the dearth of information on just how necessary it is to have a "germ free" unit
d. the need to buy filters and replacement parts
e. the fact that no one has a positive recommendation (all I hear about are which humidifiers to avoid).
Our apartment is approx. 900 square feet. I want a quiet humidifier which blows warm mist. I don't need it to be germ-free, unless you feel this is an absolute necessity. I'll pay up to $150 for a good humidifier, but would prefer to spend less. I am happy to clean it as often as necessary...
Any advice/suggestions much appreciated.
Cheers, Kirstie
We say what Consumer Reports says:
Honeywell HCM530
Honeywell HWM-260 Humidifier
For style (and good experience as well), we are always a sucker for Bionaire models. All of these are not unattractive and don't cost too much. (Thanks, Kirstie!) MGR
From Consumer Reports:
Cleaner humidifiers, cleaner air
Humidifier filter.
Humidifiers require regular cleaning. The more you use yours, the more vigilant you must be. That’s because mold can grow within 48 hours on wet surfaces, and mold in the tank or in the water can then be transferred into the air, potentially causing itchy eyes and breathing troubles.
Even units with antimicrobial finishes on tanks and wicks will become scaly and moldy if they’re not cleaned. Some manufacturers claim that adding bacteriostatic solutions to water will slow bacteria growth. We didn’t test this claim. For the best results, follow these tips:
Change the water daily. Empty the tank, dry all interior surfaces, and refill with clean water.
Clean your humidifier often. Although some parts may be washable in the dishwasher, they still need to be descaled with vinegar and disinfected with bleach. Completely dry all parts between descaling and disinfecting. And after disinfecting, carefully rinse the tank to avoid breathing harmful chemicals. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and schedule for descaling and disinfecting parts and replacing filters, wicks, and the like.
Clean it before you store it. And clean it again when you take it out of storage for the heating season.
I researched the heck out of my humidifier purchase, and chose the Honeywell. Great product, remote is cool (though not as useful as my A/C remote). Filter is a pain, but the filter is *always* a pain.
I have a Mr Misty humidifier that attaches to my showerhead and sends a constant fine mist through the air and keeps my apartment at a perfect comfort level. I love it.
Their website is Mrmisty.com
You can buy them online from Amazon and drugstores (CVS, Walgreens).
I recently moved in with my boyfriend and his cat. Since I'm allergic to cats, I tried all sorts before a friend recommended the Venta Airwasher, available online from Best Vacuum (www.best-vacuum.com/venta-airwasher.html), and never looked back. It's an air filter and humidifier that works on very simple principles, it's quiet, and while not lovely, it's no more ugly than your average subwoofer. It's greatly improved my quality of life.
It's easy to clean, and comes with a special detergent to keep it that way. I would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for humidifiers and purifiers. The Bionaire units I tried all started making a filthy racket within a month. Not so, the Venta.
I also have a Venta and I love the simple black design which is much more attractive than bulbous white humidifiers. Vesntas are room temperature humidifiers and do require routine cleaning.
Also, there is word out there that warm mist humidifiers are more prone to bacteria growth, and then blow it out through their mist. Thus, cool mist is what is reccommended for babies.
re-- Mr Misty (Amy)
Am assuming you don't pay your own water bill...
I want this humidifier!
http://www.pmz-store.jp/prodocuts/humidifier_aroma.html
Love the design, but thing is they only sell in Japan...
they sell that japanese humidifier on this website in the US... http://dynamism.com/humid/main.shtml, it's like 260$. filter for $15.
I second the Venta Airwasher recommendation. The unit is whisper quiet on the low setting and virtually maintenance free. Unlike their Sonic units, these are made in Germany.
If you are in Toronto, Canada then call Tom at 416.256.0377 who is Venta's Canadian distributor.