What is a Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier is the complete opposite of a humidifier and for that reason does not need a filter. It removes moisture from the air to lower the humidity level whereas a humidifier works to increase the humidity level.

This is useful in climates that are often humid because excessive moisture in the air can cause problems such as mold growth, mildew, and dust mites. The most important benefit of a dehumidifier is the health benefits of maintaining the humidity level. The most preferable range is 30% to 50% relative humidity and most dehumidifiers have settings that allow the user to set a target humidity level.

The machine works much like an air conditioner but with both warm and cool coils. Cooled air holds less moisture so a fan blows the moist air over a cold coil which forces condensation of to form which is allowed to drip into a tank. Then the air is heated with the warm coil to the normal room temperature and released back into the room.

If the room is being cooled by an air conditioner then a dehumidifier is not needed since the very process of cooling the air is doing the dehumidifying. The only difference is that the dehumidifier warms the air which is not needed if the room needs air conditioning.

There are other strategies in dehumidifying air with various models of machines but typically the idea remains the same. Cool the air to force moisture out which serves the exact opposite purpose of a humidifier which attempts to release moisture into the air.

Filterless Humidifier

The most important part of a humidifier is the humidifier filter. The problem is that the filter gets clogged and needs replacement which costs money and time. A filterless humidifier solves this problem and offers the convenience of never having the need to replace a filter.

In a typical humidifier filter, particles in the air and pollutants are trapped when passing through a filter or wick soaked in water. The air is carries the moisture from the wet filters and evaporates as it leaves the humidifier unit. The most common designs use this sort of evaporating humidifier filter.

In a filterless humidifier the particles are charged with electrostatic energy and passed along a grid of that carries an opposite charge. This attracts the now charged particles to stick to the grid releasing a clean breeze of air.

To clean the grid is simple and the only effort required is to pull out the grid and wipe it clean with a cloth. A filter free humidifier saves the owner from spending money on new replacement filters.

Despite the convenience and economical benefits of a having a humidifier with no filter, there are some possible health concerns resulting from changing the electric composition in the air. While the precise effects are uncertain, the known threat is in high concentration of the air. This risk can be minimized by using a unit that is designed for the size of the room where it is to be utilized. The exact room dimensions will be specified on the box and in the owner’s manual. Also, look for a unit that comes with adjustable settings to ensure the room is not over humidified.

A humidifier is used to improve the air quality and combat problems that arise from extremely dry conditions. Health problems such as irritation, itchy skin, respiratory problems and nose bleeds can be caused by dry air which is mitigated by a humidifier. The recommended setting is between 30 to 50% humidity which is why having a setting feature on the unit is important.

A filterless humidifier usually runs very quiet and makes it a good candidate for night use. The elimination of the need for consumables like the filter saves in the long run but expect to pay a little more initially since the unit will cost more than a comparable traditional humidifier. The savings from not needing a filter will pay itself off in a year or two.

Types of Humidifiers and Furnace Humidifier Filter

Evaporative Humidifier Filter

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.