General maintenance is always important to follow through regularly even if the humidifier is not used often, unless it is a cleaned and packed neatly away. Otherwise, the standing water could promote bacteria growth which is why it is important to change the water frequently if the unit isn’t used.

This is in line with replacing your humidifier filters regularly. Do not overextend the life of the filters and even if you have reusable filters, it is a good idea to change them after reusing a few times. Changing a new filter is always the easiest and safest way to ensure that the filter does not contain invisible mold spores or bacteria.

Also, do not let scale, film, rust or dust build up in your humidifier. To reduce the buildup, use soft water or water that does not contain a lot of minerals. There are also demineralization cartridges or filters that can be used to soften water.

Most models do have warranty limits so when you are looking to take apart your unit for cleaning, be aware of your warranty guidelines. Most warranty is void are you disassemble the unit beyond a certain point deemed necessary by the manufacturer for general cleaning and maintenance procedures.

When replacing a humidifier filter it is important that you use an exact match and the filter fits perfectly for optimal filtering effectiveness. Knowing the specifics of the humidifier unit, such as the hardness of the water that goes into it and the frequency of use will help determine how often the filter should be replaced.

The first step is to turn off and unplug the unit. When opening any electrical appliance it is common sense to unplug the unit to avoid any risk of problems like electrocution.

Once the unit is off and unplugged proceed to remove the water tank or reservoir and clean that part of the unit. Disinfect the water tank to keep it clear of mold and bacteria that could result from sitting water. Empty the tank if necessary and refill it with cool water and one tablespoon of bleach. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes then rinse and clean thoroughly.

With the water tank or reservoir out of the way, remove the motor housing that covers the top of the humidifier. Feel free to vacuum or wipe away any dust off the surfaces both inside and outside the housing. For a more detailed clean contact a professional or the manufacturers support, do not attempt to disassemble the unit any further or risk voiding the warranty.

Now that the housing is removed, the filter should lift right out. Depending on the model, some filters can be washed and reused. Refer to the manufacturer supplied owner’s manual for more details. If it is a reusable filter you might want to vacuum a majority of the dust first or it could get very messy. Clean the filter in water and do not squeeze or wring the filter because the force could cause a tear. It is usually more sanitary to replace with a new filter since they usually are not too expensive. It is the surest way of having a clean filter.

For further cleaning pour a cup of undiluted white vinegar into the base of the unit and let it sit for 20 minutes. Use the bleach-water mix from the water tank to disinfect and rinse and clean thoroughly before putting everything back together. Using bleach-water is often is good cheap solution for cleaning just about any household appliances. Check the user guide for instructions before proceeding.

The most common humidifier models are evaporative and use evaporative humidifier filters. The filter is usually paper, cloth or foam that is saturated in water while a fan blows air through the filter or wick which forces moisture to evaporate into the air. This design is self regulating since dry air evaporates the water faster while higher humidity makes it harder for the water to evaporate. This is convenient because user control is not necessary and the level of humidity is self regulated.

The filter is used to trap particles and pollutants from the air so it works as an air filter as well as humidifier. Evaporative humidifiers come in all sizes from tabletop units to large house units that can work in conjunction with the home’s heating and cooling system.

Furnace Humidifier Filter

A furnace humidifier is any unit that is connected to the home furnace system and works with the heating and cooling system of the entire house. It uses the home’s water system to humidify the entire house and costs a little more than most units simply because of the size and its integration with the other systems in the house. A furnace humidifier filter uses the same evaporative design in which the air passes over a wet filter where moisture enters the air and particles are trapped. Aprilaire is the best brand for a furnace humidifier and is something that can be done as a home improvement project that will only take a day’s work.

Cool Mist Humidifier Filter

The cool mist humidifier is very common in small units and works by passing water through a wick or filter. It differentiates itself from other humidifiers in that there is no heating involved, hence the name cool mist. A vapor is pushed into the air with a fan and is considered a very safe humidifying technique for infants and small children.

In some climate specific areas where heating is not desired cool mist humidifiers are perfect. Since no energy is used for heating there is significant energy savings. Also, the droplets of water are larger than typical, cool mist humidifier filters don’t run the risk of white dust caused by the minerals in the water. While white dust is not dangerous it can be annoying when it settles on furniture and other things around the house.

Ultrasonic Humidifier

The key benefit of an ultrasonic humidifier is the energy savings. It also offers a very quiet humidification system because it uses a high-frequency vibration which releases micro-sized mist to moisten the air. There is very little maintenance on an ultrasonic humidifier which is where the cost savings come in. Humidifirst is the company that leads the pack in ultrasonic humidifier technology and its units can be used to produce cool or warm mist depending on the user’s desires. A setting control also allows for target humidity levels to be set and the unit stops when the target is reached. This is very useful to protect from over humidifying.

Low Humidity Issues

Dry air can cause problems from health issues to property damage. When the humidity is especially low some side effects include difficulty breathing and other respiratory illnesses, sore throat, itchy skin, irritation, chapped lips and a personal favorite, nosebleeds. Wood products can damage without proper humidity and things like wood flooring, cabinets, picture frames and expensive pianos are all at risk when the air is dry.

A good, high quality humidifier uses wet filters that evaporate water into the air as water vapor is the safest solution. Some humidifiers will expel mist or water droplets to moisten the air. The most important part is the humidifier filter and it needs to be well maintained for optimal results when the unit is in use.

What to Look For in a Humidifier

There are a many different models to choose from and varying combinations of features to look for in a good humidifier. Some features depend on individual needs and wants while others are essential or just very good to have in general.

A humidity meter is one of the most useful things to look for. It allows the user to choose a target humidity setting. Typical recommendation is to set it between 30 to 50% humidity. The humidifier will stop when the target level is reached and is important because over humidification could cause mold or dust mites in the house.

When it comes to the water levels in the tank or reservoir, an auto shutoff feature is useful in saving energy instead of running on an empty tank. It can also be a safety hazard for some models to run on empty. Most models with this feature will have some sort of notification system to alert the user when the water tank is empty.

It is also nice to have a unit that is designed with the user in mind. This means easy to take apart for cleaning and replacing filters. Large water tanks also make it easier because the unit can run longer between refills and makes it easier to clean.

A high quality humidifier will run very quiet and that might be important for someone who is bothered by background noise or intends on using the unit at night. In general warm mist humidifiers generate less noise than cold mist models.

There are also additional features that are not essential but some people like the convenience they offer. This includes things like air purification, sterilization, and dehumidification. These are functions usually work better on separate, dedicated units but for some people it is nice to have especially if it is only used occasionally.

Types of Humidifiers

Most common humidifiers are evaporative and use evaporative humidifier filters. This works by saturating the humidifier filter with water and blowing air over the wet filters for the water to evaporate into the air. The filter also traps most of the particles and pollutants in the air.

A furnace humidifier filter is used in large units that are designed to humidify the entire house and is connected to the home heating and cooling systems. It uses water from the home’s water system.

There are humidifiers that use more advanced technology to add moisture to the air. Ultrasonic humidifiers are advantageous for their energy savings and quiet operation. It uses a high-frequency vibration to generate and release micro-vapors into the air. The cost savings is in the limited maintenance required of this type of system.

A filterless humidifier uses electrostatic charges to pull particles from the air. There are some health concerns with the ozone that the unit puts out but is regarded as safe so long as manufacturer instructions are followed. The main draw of a filterless humidifier is the cost saving from having to replace humidifier filters which add up in the long run.

Still the most common humidifiers use filters that need to be replaced. You can find more information on how to replace your own filters and maintain your humidifier with simple cleaning steps available here on this website. We’ve also compiled a list of some of the most popular brands of humidifier filters. It is important that you use the right filters for maximum effectiveness.