Humidifier Buying Guide

Dry climates, winter air, and artificial heat can lead to dry skin and irritated nasal and sinus membranes. Humidifiers restore moisture to dry membranes by adding moisture to the air.

How Humidifiers Work

Evaporative humidifiers add moisture to the air using a fan that blows air over a wet wick. Evaporative humidifiers can be loud because of the fan, and if they're not cleaned properly, they can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mold.

Warm mist humidifiers, such as the Enviracaire EWM-220 Humidifier and the Enviracaire EWM-300 Warm Mist Humidifier, boil the water to kill germs before misting the vapor into the air. Enviracaire germicidal humidifiers also use a UV light to kills germs, thus creating a mist that is 99.99% free of mold and bacteria.

Impeller humidifiers use constantly rotating discs to break the water into fine drops that enter the air. The rotating discs in the Air-O-Swiss Air Washer & Humidifier also capture dust and other impurities in the air. Particles are charged as they enter the unit, so they'll stick to the rotating discs. Additionally, the Air Washer uses an ISS to kill bacteria and viruses. ISS stands for Ionic Silver Stick, and it uses the natural antimicrobial properties of silver to destroy germs. The rotating discs are dishwasher-safe, making clean-up easy.

Ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency vibrations to spray a cool fog of mist into the air. The ultrasonic vibrations kill most microbes. The Air-O-Swiss AOS7135 Ultrasonic Humidifier also kills germs with an ISS, and comes with a demineralization cartridge prevents white dust. (Some humidifiers create a white dust when minerals are present in the water. If you encounter this problem, try using distilled water to help prevent build-up of minerals.) You can choose warm or cool mist with the Air-O-Swiss AOS7135 Ultrasonic Humidifier.

Cool Mist vs. Warm Mist

This is largely a matter of personal preference. As Henry Bernstein, M.D., says, "I do not have a preference between a warm or cool mist humidifier since both accomplish the same thing - getting moisture into the air." Warm mist is more soothing for stuffy noses and sinuses. If children are around, the hot water and steam can be dangerous. Warm mist makes the air feel warmer and holds onto heat better, and warm mist humidifiers can actually lower your utility bill during the winter by changing the heat index.

	Germ Protection: Is the water boiled to kill germs? Does it have another antimicrobial measure like a UV light or the ISS (ionic silver stick)? If not, your air will not only be humidified, but it will also be contaminated with bacteria and mold. Enviracaire humidifiers feature a dual germicidal process, using both UV light and heat to kill microorganisms.
	Ease of Use: We recommend that you clean all humidifiers regularly to prevent mold growth. Some are easier to clean than others. The Air-O-Swiss Air Washer & Humidifier gets first place in this category thanks to its dishwasher-safe discs.
	Operating Range: It's important to make sure that the humidifier can cover the area of the room where it will be placed. Enviracaire humidifiers cover up to 400 square feet, while the Air-O-Swiss units cover up to 600 square feet. Water Capacity: How often will you have to refill the tank? The Enviracaire EWM-350 Germ-Free Warm Mist Humidifier has the largest capacity, holding 3.5 gallons. The Enviracaire EWM-300 Humidifier holds 2.75. The Enviracaire EWM-220 Humidifier and the Enviracaire EWM-211D Germ-Free Warm Mist Humidifier both hold 2 gallons of water. The Air-O-Swiss AOS7135 Ultrasonic Humidifier holds 2 gallons, and the Air-O-Swiss 2055 Air Washer & Humidifier holds 1.9 gallons.
	Operating Costs: How much will it cost to run the humidifier? Generally, impeller humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers use less energy. You should also consider costs of replacement parts, such as UV light bulbs, demineralization cartridges, and Ionic Silver Sticks. If you're going to purchase a new humidifier, you can save money on shipping costs by purchasing several replacement parts with the initial order.
	Noise Level: How loud will the humidifier be? Some evaporative humidifiers can be loud because of the fan, but warm mist, impeller, and ultrasonic humidifiers are generally quiet.
	Humidistat & Other Options: The Air-O-Swiss AOS7135 Ultrasonic Humidifier comes with a built-in hygrometer (humidity gauge) so that you can monitor the relative humidity level along with a humidistat so that you can control the humidity level. You can also purchase a humidity gauge separately.
	Manufacturer's Reputation: A manufacturer's reputation and the experiences of past customers deserve consideration in your decision. Certain manufacturers and products are highly respected in the industry for a reason - and the same goes for products which have garnered less respect. Enviracaire humidifiers are made in the USA by America's #1 manufacturer of boiler, baseboard, and radiant systems. Air-O-Swiss humidifiers are made by Plaston, Europe's leading supplier of plastic packaging systems and air treatment systems.
	Warranty: The Enviracaire EWM-350, the Enviracaire EWM-300, the Enviracaire EWM-220, and the Enviracaire EWM-211D Humidifiers all come with a 3-year warranty. The Air-O-Swiss AOS7135 Ultrasonic Humidifier also comes with a 3-year warranty. The Air-O-Swiss Air Washer & Humidifier comes with a 10-year warranty.

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