Are Ultrasonic Humidifiers any good?

[Analog]

I'm wondering if they are quiet, and any other problems comments from someone who has one. Thanks.

 

[Tallgeese]

We've had them before and here are the pros/cons, IMHO.

PROS
*VERY* quiet...which is a nice feature at times
Much more efficient.
Much smaller reservoir required for the same amount of time.

CONS
*VERY* high-maintenance
If not cleaned EVERY time, build-up impedes proper function
Using anything other than purified or distilled water can make cleaning very difficult
Sometimes, it is SO quiet that you don't get a soothing effect from the hum.
Cannot add anything to water

 

[rgwalt]

Another bonus is that you won't need to replace filters. However, if your area is like mine (the water is really hard) then making sure that the sonic evaporator stays clean is a real pain.

 

[Analog]

Does the steam come out really hot?

 

[Freejack2]

Found this on a website...
Ultrasonic - Use high-frequency sound vibrations to break up water into a visible extremely fine mist.
Advantages:
Mist produced contains no molds and comparatively few live bacteria. Very quiet. Humidifies entire room quickly. Recommended by doctors when treating children.
Cons:
If tank is not properly cleaned on a regular basis, bacteria could grow.

My opinion is I'm kinda iffy on them. I have a portable ultrasonic that we take with us on trips. Seems to work ok. Goes through a 1.5 liter bottle every 6 - 10 hours.
At home though we use a big 13 gallon wick based humidifier. Works well but we have to put about a tablespoon full of bacteriostat in every tank of water.

 

[SunnyD]

Someone once told me that if your room is already humid enough, because of the lack of heat the moisture won't "evaporate" into the air with ultrasonic humidifiers. The steam humidifiers actually raise the local temperature of the air allowing better evaporation of the water into the air (ie: turns into relative humidity better).

Of course this was my father saying this, so he could be full of crap.

 

[Doggiedog]

Make sure when you buy one that it is uses an anti-bacterial UV light.

 

[Kadarin]

Hook one up in the same room as a de-humidifier, and create your own microclimate...

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Hook one up in the same room as a de-humidifier, and create your own microclimate...

What?