Q & A Regarding Humidification

Frequently Asked Questions

What size humidifier do I need?
A: Measure the dimensions of your room or enclosure. Multiply the height x width x depth. Select the humidifier that covers the cubic volume of your enclosure. Volume estimates should be increased for installations in very arid climates (e.g. deserts, high mountains, etc.) to allow for the drying effects of forced air heat or air-conditioning. In addition, the physical construction of the space, including vapor barriers as well as sealed doors and windows, should be considered in sizing the proper humidifier.
What is the difference between an evaporative humidifier, an atomizing humidifier and an ultrasonic humidifier?
An evaporative or wick humidifier, has a wick which absorbs water from a reservoir and spreads it throughout its large surface area. A fan blows air into the wick to carry the humidified air out into the room, allowing drier air to enter and evaporate more moisture from the wick. The drier the air, the more rapidly the water will evaporate.
In an atomizing humidifier, a rotating disc throws water at a diffuser, which breaks the water into fine droplets that float into the air. Because they produce droplets they need to be mounted high up and have large open areas to disperse into for effective evaporation.
An ultrasonic humidifier contains a metal diaphragm vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency which creates extremely fine water droplets that silently exit the humidifier in the form of a cool fog.
In both atomizing (impeller) and ultrasonic humidifiers any suspended material in the water such as microorganisms and minerals will be transferred along with the water into the air. It is therefore recommended that distilled or reverse osmosis filtered water be used in these humidifiers. These humidifiers should also be cleaned regularly.
How often should I clean my humidifier?
Manufacturers recommend cleaning your humidifier every week, as microorganisms may grow in the reservoir water. The wicks of evaporative humidifiers can become moldy and may also become clogged with mineral deposits. Regular cleaning or wick replacement is important to proper functioning. Check inside your humidifier every week for any sign of contamination. If there is any visible growth, particles, or mineral build-up, clean your humidifier immediately. Whenever replacing the wick, empty any remaining water and thoroughly clean interior tank surfaces with vinegar or chlorinated cleanser.
How do I clean my evaporative humidifier?
Preparation
Turn the unit off, unplug the electrical cord and open cover. Taking note of how the parts are assembled, carefully remove the wick from the cabinet, allowing any water to drain into cabinet. Empty the cabinet into a sink or bathtub. Remove any remaining water with a sponge.
Step #1: Remove Scale
Fill reservoir with one 8 oz cup of undiluted white vinegar. Let solution sit for 20 minutes. Clean all interior surfaces with a soft brush. Dampen a soft cloth with undiluted white vinegar and wipe out reservoir to remove scale. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water to remove scale and cleaning solution before disinfecting.
Step #2: Disinfect Reservoir
Fill the reservoir with mixture of one teaspoon chlorine bleach in one gallon water. Let solution stay 20 minutes, swishing every few minutes. Wet all surfaces. Empty reservoir after 20 minutes. Rinse with water until bleach smell is gone. Dry with clean cloth or paper towel. Put wick and fan back together in cabinet. Plug cord into wall outlet. Turn unit on.
Use of bacteriostatic treatment in the water can reduce the growth of bacteria in the wick and reservoir tank.
How do I maintain my ultrasonic humidifier?
Clean the air filter about once a week, depending on the extent of contamination.
Check water tank interior once a month for any sign of contamination. More frequent cleaning may be required if the environment is dusty or water quality is poor.
Do I have to clean the tank if I am using filtered water?
Yes, even if your water is pure, there are airborne bacteria which will flourish inside the reservoir tank. This can be particularly harmful to ultrasonic humidifiers because this growth can interfere with the operation of the float switches, which maintain proper water level in the tank. This can lead to water overflowing, or in the worst case, the humidifier can run dry, which will cause the transducers to fail, which is very costly to repair.
What are optimal wine temperatures for my home wine cellar room?
Ideally, wine should be kept at consistent temperatures from 50 to 59 °F, with an ideal wine storage temperature of 52 °F. Wide temperature variation can cause chemical reactions which adversely affect the wine. Optimal wine temperatures in your home wine room or wine cellar room allow the wine to develop maximum complexity and aroma. To provide optimal temperature and humidity conditions for storage for wine, allow the Habitat Monitor ® to be a vigilant wine guard for your home wine cellar room.
What is proper cigar humidor humidity?
Proper cigar temperature is about 70 °F (room temperature). The proper cigar humidor humidity level is between 68 and 72 %. Need a cigar humidity regulator? Automatically maintain the humidity in your humidor or cigar store with a Habitat Monitor ® humidifying system.