Is it safe to use a humidifier in the same room as a PC?

[sltech]

I remember a long time ago I was reading some computer forum, and a guy posted that it's not safe to have a PC in the same room as a humidifier. He said that a humidifier will spread water vapor all over the room, and the water vapor has calcium and other minerals in it that will leave a thin white coating on everything. He said even the PC's motherboard will be coated, and that will damage the circuitry. Is that true?

 

[Blain]

You're just adding a little humidity to the air, not creating a sauna, correct?
The humidifier isn't blowing directly onto the PC?
You don't have water dripping down the walls, do you?

 

[Ken g6]

I've used one for years. No problems have ever come of it.

Edit: Mine's the "warm mist" type which boils water, so the minerals don't go into the air. No idea about "cool mist" types.

 

[nerp]

Fill it with filtered or distilled water thereby eliminating any mineral deposit issues.

 

[lehtv]

As long as you're not increasing relative humidity to 100% and causing condensation of water vapor, there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[MrTeal]

Data centres actually recommend 45-55% RH. If it gets too low, static discharge increases greatly. As people said, just don't go crazy with it.

Depends where you live, but without my whole house humidifier I will dip into the high 30s in the winter, even down to the mid 30s if we get a good long stretch below -20C.