Ultrasonic Humidifiers: What You Need to Know
Dry air can be a nightmare for your nose, eyes, skin, and mouth. Prevalent during winter which is cold and flu season, dry air can intensify the symptoms of infections and worsen skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
One of the recommended solutions to combat this parched air is a home ultrasonic humidifier. This article shares what you can expect with an ultrasonic humidifier to help you decide whether this is the humidifier for you.
The Difference between an Ultrasonic Humidifier and an Evaporative Humidifier
There are two main types of home humidifiers: ultrasonic and evaporative. Since this article focuses on the former, let’s briefly break down the differences between the two. An evaporative humidifier utilizes a wicking material that is dipped into the water reservoir to absorb water. A fan then blows through the cloth creating a mist in the room.
An ultrasonic humidifier, however, uses a high-frequency vibrating diaphragm made from either ceramic or metal to produce an extra fine mist that is expelled into the room. This vibrating diaphragm sits on the water reservoir’s surface where it churns the water at a high frequency to create droplets that are then blown into the air by a fan.
An ultrasonic humidifier can be cool mist or warm mist, or both depending on the model. Models that produce both cold and warm mist offer you the best of both worlds, allowing you to adapt the unit to your seasonal needs.
What to Look For in an Ultrasonic Humidifier
When selecting an ultrasonic humidifier, there are some important features to seek out to ensure you end up with the best unit. These include:
Pre-programmed settings
Consider a humidifier that has varied settings. This allows you to control the humidity levels during the different seasons. It should at least have comfort, allergy, cold & flu, nose & throat, and dry skin settings to effectively meet your needs through the year.
Noise levels
Ultrasonic humidifiers are generally quiet, but some models barely emit a sound during operation. If you want something audible try one that only reaches 40 decibels. Although this is still an audible hum, it is below the noise level of a conversation (roughly 60 dB) so it is not disruptive to your sleep nor do you have to talk over it to be heard.
Humidistat
An ultrasonic humidifier without a humidity monitor can introduce too much moisture into the air, which in turn can facilitate the growth of mold and mildew. That is why ultrasonic humidifiers come fitted with a built-in humidity monitor called a humidistat. A humidistat detects the moisture levels in the air and triggers the unit to switch off when there is enough moisture release to keep humidity within the ideal range between 30 to 50 percent.
Water reservoir
Ultrasonic humidifiers can be compact for portability or large enough to cater for bigger spaces. The water tanks are tailored to meet the specific use of the humidifier. This makes them ideal for small spaces like your car or larger rooms like your bedroom or living room.
Hours of operation
The more hours of operation your humidifier offers the better. The point is to ensure there is consistent moisture release into the air with shut off only when the air has enough moisture. A unit that can be used continuously for 8 to 24 hours is an excellent option.
