• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Warm or cool-mist humidifier?

Carson Dyle

Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
I need to pick up a couple of room humidifiers.

Do you prefer warm or cool-mist? Pros and cons?

Any recommendations for specific makes/models (under $100)?
 
I prefer warm because they boil water, so they kill bacteria. Generally, devices for boiling water should cost much less than $100.
 
I installed this one a few years ago, works great:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/d...furnace-humidifier-0643101p.html#.UpgBcXiVvYU

Because there's no cloth or anything, it is less prone to mold and other issues, and it's easy to clean. I ran a drain line with a valve, once in a while I'll turn the valve to drain it to get rid of any sediment. You can buy an automatic valve as well that does it like daily.

I have to watch how high I set it though, it will actually fog up all the windows.

This is a whole house unit, so it hooks up to the furnace. My furnace (and I imagine most others) have a "hum" terminal. It basically provides 24vac when the furnace is on. You can feed the humidifier off that so it only turns when the furnace is on, and when the humidistat is calling for it. I just put the humidistat on the return vent but you could technically put it somewhere else in the house, I'd imagine.
 
Red Squirrel said:
I installed this one a few years ago, works great:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/d...furnace-humidifier-0643101p.html#.UpgBcXiVvYU

Because there's no cloth or anything, it is less prone to mold and other issues, and it's easy to clean. I ran a drain line with a valve, once in a while I'll turn the valve to drain it to get rid of any sediment. You can buy an automatic valve as well that does it like daily.

I have to watch how high I set it though, it will actually fog up all the windows.

This is a whole house unit, so it hooks up to the furnace. My furnace (and I imagine most others) have a "hum" terminal. It basically provides 24vac when the furnace is on. You can feed the humidifier off that so it only turns when the furnace is on, and when the humidistat is calling for it. I just put the humidistat on the return vent but you could technically put it somewhere else in the house, I'd imagine.
Click to expand...

room humidifier is very different than furnace humidifier...
 
Warm. Cool mist makes the air worse, not better, for me, and often just dews on any non-smooth surfaces, instead of filling the room.
 
I like the ones that draw air through a wicking filter. The warm mist ones tend to heat up the room, the cool mist ones cover the room in whit dust.
 
I need one for my bedroom. We have a furnace humidifier but the heat really doesn't come on much overnight. When I wake up, my mouth feels like the Sahara. Thinking warm mist is the best. I have very hard water so whatever I get it's going to be a PITA to clean.
 
mmntech said:
I need one for my bedroom. We have a furnace humidifier but the heat really doesn't come on much overnight. When I wake up, my mouth feels like the Sahara. Thinking warm mist is the best. I have very hard water so whatever I get it's going to be a PITA to clean.
Click to expand...

I have hard water too, I use a piezoelectric one. Seems ok, I don't see scaling.
 
I like the boiling kind. I'm lazy and don't do maintenance, so I imagine the cold kind would give me legionella.
 
Red Squirrel said:
I installed this one a few years ago, works great:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/d...furnace-humidifier-0643101p.html#.UpgBcXiVvYU

Because there's no cloth or anything, it is less prone to mold and other issues, and it's easy to clean. I ran a drain line with a valve, once in a while I'll turn the valve to drain it to get rid of any sediment. You can buy an automatic valve as well that does it like daily.

I have to watch how high I set it though, it will actually fog up all the windows.

This is a whole house unit, so it hooks up to the furnace. My furnace (and I imagine most others) have a "hum" terminal. It basically provides 24vac when the furnace is on. You can feed the humidifier off that so it only turns when the furnace is on, and when the humidistat is calling for it. I just put the humidistat on the return vent but you could technically put it somewhere else in the house, I'd imagine.
Click to expand...

I have this unit also. It has worked great for us for the past 5 years or so, perhaps longer.. It just plain works. I don't use a humidistat because full on seems to be best for us. Ours is on the return feed also.
 
One of the last things I would ever want to do to a house is add more moisture to it. If anything, run dehumidifiers.
 
slag said:
I have this unit also. It has worked great for us for the past 5 years or so, perhaps longer.. It just plain works. I don't use a humidistat because full on seems to be best for us. Ours is on the return feed also.
Click to expand...

Do you just set the damper really low? If I crank mine the windows will totally fog up, even to the point of sweating or building up ice.

Meanwhile at work we have a 3 phase electric wall unit and it can barely keep up. It's always fighting with the air conditioner.
 
Jumpem said:
One of the last things I would ever want to do to a house is add more moisture to it. If anything, run dehumidifiers.
Click to expand...

In summer yeah but in winter things can get pretty dry and it's hard on your skin and what not. Nice to add a bit of humidity in the air.
 
Jumpem said:
One of the last things I would ever want to do to a house is add more moisture to it. If anything, run dehumidifiers.
Click to expand...

Does you air not get really dry when you run your heat? If I don't have a humidifier in my house while the heat is running, my lips dry out and crack, my throats gets dry when I sleep, my face will be dry and flaky, etc.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top