Humidifiers

[Syringer]

What do these do exactly and should I get one?

 

[Pepsi90919]

they humidify.

yes.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
they humidify.

yes.

Like he said, they humidify. If you are healthy you don't need one.

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
they humidify.

yes.

Hahaha. Pepsi, I'm beginning to like you.

 

[Pepsi90919]

that's the ticket

 

[rgwalt]

Do you own a home, or rent? If you own a home, you can install a humidifier in with your heating/AC system. If not, you will need a stand alone humidifier. Either way, they work on the same principle. In a stand alone humidifier, a fan draws air over and through a wick filter that is saturated with water. This filter sits in a shallow basin of water that is replinished by a resivour. The water in the wick evaporates into the air as it is moved by the fan. The end result is that the humidifier takes in dry air, and puts out humidified air.

Running a humidifier in the winter is a good idea because, in areas with cold winter climates, the air holds much less moisture than it does in the summer. Winter air is very dry, and contributes to problems with dry skin and eyes, and causes throats and sinuses to dry out. Dry air is also allows people to pick up static charges. Moist air also tends to "feel" warmer than dry air, so you may not have to run your heater as much.

I have a stand-alone humidifier in my apartment that puts almost 9 gallons of water into the air each day. Now, I have to pay for the electricity required to run the humidifier, and the action of humidifing the air (evaporating water) causes the humidifier output air to be cooler than the surrounding air.

I think that about covers it. I would highly recommend getting a humidifier. I run mine when the temp drops below 45 or so, and I think it helps keep me from getting sick.

Ryan

 

[Pepsi90919]

that being said, our humidifier that's built into our HVAC system always crusts up every year so regular maintenance is required.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: rgwalt
Do you own a home, or rent? If you own a home, you can install a humidifier in with your heating/AC system. If not, you will need a stand alone humidifier. Either way, they work on the same principle. In a stand alone humidifier, a fan draws air over and through a wick filter that is saturated with water. This filter sits in a shallow basin of water that is replinished by a resivour. The water in the wick evaporates into the air as it is moved by the fan. The end result is that the humidifier takes in dry air, and puts out humidified air.

Running a humidifier in the winter is a good idea because, in areas with cold winter climates, the air holds much less moisture than it does in the summer. Winter air is very dry, and contributes to problems with dry skin and eyes, and causes throats and sinuses to dry out. Dry air is also allows people to pick up static charges. Moist air also tends to "feel" warmer than dry air, so you may not have to run your heater as much.

I have a stand-alone humidifier in my apartment that puts almost 9 gallons of water into the air each day. Now, I have to pay for the electricity required to run the humidifier, and the action of humidifing the air (evaporating water) causes the humidifier output air to be cooler than the surrounding air.

I think that about covers it. I would highly recommend getting a humidifier. I run mine when the temp drops below 45 or so, and I think it helps keep me from getting sick.

Ryan

yeap.

Well worht getting! i have a 10gallon one that i fill up every day to day and half.

When it runs i can lower the heat down to 68F and it is warm enough (i have reptiles so dont want to go to cold).

 

[HappyPuppy]

Healthy humans don't need humidifiers. You are far better off acclimating yourself to the seasons. Your body's immune system will grow stronger with each season and year that passes.

 

[rgwalt]

HP has a good point... Another reason I have a humidifier is for the lizard and the snake.

Ryan

 

[optoman]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Healthy humans don't need humidifiers. You are far better off acclimating yourself to the seasons. Your body's immune system will grow stronger with each season and year that passes.

Well, my skin tends to dry out and shaving really becomes a pain in the winter. I am very healthy, just had a check up at the docs and he gave me an A. I haven't been sick in two years but my skin sucks in the winter.

Humidifiers are also good for the furniture. If it gets too dry then it might crack over the years. It also depends on your heating in your home or apartment. We live in a apartment and it has baseboard heaters that suck the moisture out of the air.

I just picked up a humidifier and noticed an improvement in everything, skin, nose and in general how I feel in the morining. I got one that shuts off after a certain humidity is reached, around 45%. My apartment is around 25% when it gets really cold out.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Healthy humans don't need humidifiers. You are far better off acclimating yourself to the seasons. Your body's immune system will grow stronger with each season and year that passes.

I dont know where you became an expert but regardless of how healthy your immune system is, your body cant create the extra moisture needed to alleviate dry skin, eyes, and throat that a cold climate aggrevates in most people.

 

[Murpheeee]

I think it has more to do with heating systems than the changing seasons.

Many people have forced air heat in their homes, which is on high in the winter.
This makes the air in your home very dry and uncomfortable.

Humidifier goes some way to "humidify" the air.
I would recommend you at least try one in the room you sleep.

 

[0roo0roo]

cold ones can grow mold

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Healthy humans don't need humidifiers. You are far better off acclimating yourself to the seasons. Your body's immune system will grow stronger with each season and year that passes.

Fraid not. Studies show the average humidity in American homes in winter is about 5 to 10 percent. The Sahara weighs in at about 20%. A huge amount of sinus conditions and respiritory ailments are linked to unnaturally dry conditions. You can by a hygrometer for a few bucks at walmart to find out what you have. You want 30 to 50% Above that, you can get mold problems. Many coughs, sinus infections etc "go away magically" with increased humidity. Best thing you can do for the indoor winter environment. You do not adapt to such dryness, your body suffers through it. Immune function falters because mucosal layers dry and that important barrier fails. Having humidifiers eliminated a great deal of sickness in my family, as it has in most others.

 

[Ornery]

If you use Vent-Free heaters, they'll leave plenty of moisture in the air, so you won't need the humidifier.

STRAIGHT FACTS ABOUT VENT-FREE GAS APPLIANCES

• "Some people may be surprised to learn that vent-free appliances produce water. This occurs naturally by burning a combination of gas and air. The water is in the form of a vapor rather than a liquid. You can't see it with your eyes.
  
  During the cold months of the year, the relative humidity, the percentage of water vapor in the air, is low. You've probably experienced a scratchy throat caused by the dryness inside a home during the winter. Health studies have shown that increasing the indoor relative humidity results in a reduction of respiratory illnesses. AHAM, the trade association for the humidifier industry, recommends a 60% indoor relative humidity. To improve the level of human comfort and reduce symptoms like a scratchy throat, many people add humidification with either a portable or whole-house system. Of course, the water vapor added to the air comes not only from humidifiers, but also from a variety of sources such as dishwashers, ranges, showers, etc. "

We just had a new furnace installed last spring. This winter my wife was squawking about the dry air etc., and wanted to buy a humidifier for the furnace. Well screw that! We have a vent-free space heater in the kitchen, and vent-free gas logs in the living room. I raised the thermostat temperature on those, and lowered it on the furnace. The humidity is now perfect and the vent-free appliances are 99.9% efficient compared to 84% for the furnace. No need to buy the humidifier. Fire in the fireplace constantly. Humidity is up, and save money for fuel in the process!