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Humidifier Buying Guide
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Not all humidifiers are created equal. Yes,
all humidifiers add moisture to the air, but how they produce and
maintain the surrounding moisture level is what sets them apart from one
another.
Below is a comparison of
the various humidification methods and the pros and cons of each.
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Humidification Methods
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METHOD
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DESCRIPTION
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ADVANTAGES
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DISADVANTAGES
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Ultrasonic
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Use
high-frequency sound vibrations to break up water into a visible
extremely fine mist.
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Mist produced
contains no molds and comparatively few live bacteria. Very
quiet. Humidifies entire room quickly. Recommended by doctors
when treating children.
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If tank is not
properly cleaned on a regular basis, bacteria could grow.
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Cool Mist
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Make water vapor
through a rapidly turning disk within the water of the humidifier.
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Very quiet.
Add humidity without making the air feel "muggy". Cool mist provides
soothing relief. Because they do not use boiling to produce steam
they are better to use in situations where a child or baby is
involved, as accidental burns or scalding will not be a danger.
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If tank is not
properly cleaned on a regular basis, bacteria could grow.
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Warm Mist
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Boil water then
the steam is cooled slightly with cool air before exiting the unit.
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Warm mist can be
soothing. Medicine can be added. Warms the room slightly, although it
can make air feel 'muggy'.
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Facilitates
mold growth in room if humidity is not properly maintained. Can make
air feel 'muggy'.
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Steam
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Boil water
using a
heating element
and send out hot steam.
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Less likely to
have a lot of mold and bacterial growth because of the boiling process,
but the risk of burn can be significant.
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Steam units leave
mineral deposits behind after they boil water in their tanks. Hot
steam enhances risk of burns. Not recommended for children.
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Evaporative,
Wicking
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Moisture
absorbed into a pad or filter, fan then blows air through wet pad.
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Pad/ filter trap
impurities from water, but if not replaced frequently the pad/filter can
produce bacteria which is then sent into the air.
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Wet
pads or filters can become a breeding ground for bacteria if
not replaced regularly (4-6 weeks). Replacement pads/filters and fan
motors can be expensive.
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Ultrasonic
cool-mist humidifiers offer the most benefits with the least
amount of maintenance and worry!
More doctors
recommend ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers for patients! The cool mist
is soothing and provides comfort and relief for
adults and children with:
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Influenza
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A sore throat
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Upper respiratory
infections, such as the common cold and bronchitis
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Lower respiratory
infections (pneumonia)
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Sinusitis
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Asthma
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Croup
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Dry skin, dry eyes or
dried out nasal linings
Home Humidification
Studies have
shown that the body's immune system will function better when the
relative humidity in a home
is between 45%-65%.The specific programmable humidity levels of the
SuperAire allow you to easily achieve and maintain this range of relative
humidity throughout your home.
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Because
humidity control is essential to a healthy environment, the
SuperAire humidifier allows you
to specifically control the room humidity level with 7 different
humidity level settings and a preprogrammed Health Care Mode.
The
following are the ideal relative humidity levels for different
situations:
The
most comfortable relative humidity for the human body
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45-65%RH
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Ideal
relative humidity for prophylactic and curative purposes
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40-50%RH
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Computer and telecom apparatuses
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45-65%RH
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Furniture and musical instruments
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40-60%RH
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Libraries (books), art galleries and museums
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40-60%RH
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Local Humidification
Additional research has
shown that local humidification
(small units placed near where you sit or sleep that direct
humidity into your breathing zone) is more effective
than increasing the humidity in an entire area when
treating cold and flu symptoms.
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The
MiniAire Humidifier
targets your personal breathing zone and offers local humidification for
wherever you are at home, work or travel.
Humidification with Negative Ion
Dispersal
A recent study by the US Dept. of
Agriculture found that ionizing a room led to 52% less dust
in the air, and 95% less bacteria in the air (since many of
the pollutants found in the air reside on floating dust particles.)
Negative ions
can also refresh the air around you by helping remove pollen, mold spores,
dust mites, pet dander, and many other allergy causing particulates
from the air you breathe.
Conclusion
Humidification
provides relief to several common symptoms related to dryness and the
common cold. Ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers emit a cool soothing
mist to help decrease the effects of dry air.
Humidifiers Direct offers three unique ultrasonic
cool mist humidifiers that can be used
separately or together to achieve beneficial results.
MiniAire
Humidifier -
This personal humidifier provides local
humidification wherever you go - work, home, even in your
car!
Learn more...
SuperAire
Humidifier - Completely
programmable with preprogrammed Health Care Mode. Unique "no-flip"
tank allows for easy filling!
See Also:
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