A Guide to Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers

by DoItYourself Staff

Ultrasonic Humidifier

Uses high-frequency energy to break the water up into tiny droplets, which are then dispersed into the air by a small fan.

Quiet and use little energy.

Has the potential of leaving a sticky white dust around the house if used with hard tap water.

Can pose health risks if the unit raises the level of airborne particles in the air.

For best results and to prevent pollutants in the air, use distilled water with this type of humidifier.

Evaporative Humidifier

Uses a wick and high-volume air to return moisture to the air.

The wick is a honeycomb arrangement of cellulose paper with a large surface area.

Operates by partially submerging the wick in the water while a fan forces air to pass through the upper exposed area, distributing absorbed water into the air.

Wicks will need replacing.

This type uses little energy and is easy to clean. Some units can be noisy.

Warm-Mist Device

Uses a heating element to restore moisture to the air.

The water surrounding the heating element is brought to near boiling and a fan cools and distributes the moistened air, which is slightly warmer than room air.

This type can be used with tap water and will not cause white dust.

Can be noisy and consumes more energy than other types.

Impeller Humidifier

Sprays droplets of water into the air.

An inexpensive type of humidifier.

Must be used with distilled water or with demineralizing tablets in the water

Floor-Vent Humidifier

Replaces standard floor vent registers.

Provides humidity for individual rooms without the need for a plug-in humidifier.

Uses a water chamber where homeowners can add water, which then passes through a wick filter and into the air when the furnace cycles on.

Furnace-Mounted Humidifier

Forces dry air from the furnace through a saturated foam element or plate.

Connected to the water supply so it is refilled automatically.

Another type sprays a fine mist of water into the heated air.

Uses an automatic reset humidistat to adjust moisture output to compensate for weather changes.

Evaporative Coolers

Sometimes called a swamp cooler.

Uses ice and cool water to cool and return moisture to the air.

Ice and cool water is mounted on top of the unit. As the ice melts, cool water flows over a wicking material. A fan mounted behind the wick creates a cool moist breeze.

Environmentally friendly as it uses little energy and contains no harmful chlorofluorocarbons.

Advise customers who will use this product to crack a few windows to prevent moisture build-up on inside walls.

Dehumidifier