Understanding Humidity: The Key to a Comfortable Home

Effects of Dry Air

• Causes dry skin, irritated sinuses, and scratchy throats
• Dries out furniture, books, and paintings, leading to damage
• Increases static electricity
• Can make your home feel colder, forcing you to turn up the heat

Solution: Using a humidifier can help maintain healthy moisture levels. Keeping humidity above 30% can even make your home feel warmer, allowing you to lower your thermostat and save on energy costs.

When the Air is Too Moist

While a humidifier adds moisture, too much can create problems. Learn more about that below!

Effects of High Humidity

• Dust mites thrive when humidity exceeds 50%, worsening allergies
• Mold and fungi can grow in damp environments (above 75%), leading to asthma and respiratory issues
• Condensation on windows and walls can cause structural damage over time

Solution: If your home feels too damp, check your humidifier settings. If moisture forms on surfaces, reduce the humidity setting. For persistent moisture problems, consider using a dehumidifier to maintain a balanced environment.

Final Takeaway

• Keep humidity levels between 30-50% for a healthy and comfortable home.
• Use your humidifier’s built-in humidity meter or get a hygrometer to monitor levels.
• If the air is too dry, a humidifier can help. If it’s too damp, adjust settings or use a dehumidifier.

By maintaining the right humidity levels, you can protect your health, home, and energy bills!

Looking for Humidifier Parts?

If your humidifier isn’t working properly, check out humidifier replacement parts to keep it running efficiently.

David B. March 31st, 2010

Posted In: Humidifiers

How to Improve Your Humidifier’s Performance

Want to get the most out of your humidifier? Keeping your home properly sealed and ventilated can help your unit run more efficiently.

Here are some simple ways to improve humidifier performance and maintain ideal humidity levels.

1. Seal Your Home to Retain Moisture

Just like trapping heat in during winter, sealing doors, windows, and unused fireplaces helps your humidifier work more effectively.

When moisture escapes, your humidifier has to work harder to maintain the desired level.

How to seal your home for better humidity control

• Use weatherstripping or special sealers for windows and doors.
• Close off any fireplaces not in use to prevent air leaks.

2. Give Your Humidifier Space

A humidifier works best when placed in an open area where moisture can circulate freely. Avoid placing it in confined spaces or against walls, as this can limit its effectiveness.

3. Keep Your Humidity Levels in Check

While adding moisture to the air is beneficial, too much humidity can cause problems.

• Recommended humidity range: 30-50%
• Reduce settings if you notice moisture on windows, walls, or nearby surfaces
• Over-humidifying (above 50%) can lead to mold growth, dust mites, and excess condensation

Want to learn more? Check out our guide on the different types of humidifiers – or learn how to clean and maintain a humidifier to keep it working for years to come.

Need Humidifier Parts?

If your humidifier isn’t performing well, we’ve got a wide selection of humidifier replacement parts to keep it running efficiently. No matter the brand, we at Appliance Factory Parts know how to help you keep your unit running!

Our selection includes the following brands:

• Honeywell humidifier parts – Reliable parts for one of the most popular humidifier brands.
• Aprilaire humidifier parts – Keep your whole-house humidifier in top shape with genuine parts.
• Vicks humidifier replacement parts – Perfect parts for repairing your Vicks vaporizer or cool mist humidifier.
• Essick humidifier parts – Get high-quality replacement parts for your Essick humidifier.
• Sunbeam humidifier parts – Find the right parts to maintain your Sunbeam unit.
• Skuttle humidifier parts – Keep your Skuttle whole-house humidifier working efficiently.
• Air-O-Swiss humidifier parts – Maintain your premium Air-O-Swiss humidifier with genuine parts.
• Crane humidifier replacement parts – Find replacement parts for your Crane cool mist humidifier.
• Carrier humidifier parts – Keep your Carrier humidifier running smoothly with original parts.

By following these tips, you can maximize your humidifier’s performance and create a healthier, more comfortable home!

David B. March 31st, 2010

Posted In: Humidifiers

5 Types of Humidifiers: Which One is Right for You?

Looking for a humidifier but not sure which type is best for your home? Humidifiers come in all shapes and sizes, from small portable units to large console models, but they all serve the same purpose – adding moisture to the air. The difference lies in how they do it.

Here’s a breakdown of the five main types of humidifiers, their pros and cons, and which might be right for you.

1. Evaporative Humidifiers

How it works

• A fan blows air through a wet pad or wick filter, releasing moisture into the air.

Pros

• No visible mist, reducing the spread of bacteria.
• Affordable and energy-efficient compared to other types.

Cons

• Filters need regular cleaning to prevent bacteria buildup.
• Can be noisier than other humidifiers due to the fan.

Need replacement parts? Check out Honeywell humidifier parts for evaporative models.

2. Steam Humidifiers (Vaporizers)

How it works

• These units boil water and release the purified steam into the air.

Pros

• Boiling kills most germs and bacteria in the water.
• Produces no white dust from mineral deposits.

Cons

• Can be hot to the touch, making them less ideal for homes with pets or children.
• Uses more electricity than other humidifiers.

Best for: Those who want clean, germ-free humidification without worrying about mold or bacteria buildup.

3. Warm Mist Humidifiers

How it works

• Similar to steam humidifiers, but the steam is cooled slightly before being released as a warm mist.

Pros

• Helps with colds and congestion (great for winter months).
• Kills bacteria in the water before releasing moisture.

Cons

• Requires frequent cleaning to prevent mineral buildup.
• Uses more energy than cool mist humidifiers.

Looking for parts? Find Vicks humidifier replacement parts to keep your warm mist humidifier running smoothly.

4. Cool Mist Humidifiers

How it works

• These units break up water into tiny droplets and spray a cool mist into the air.

Pros

• Great for warmer climates – adds humidity without making the room feel hotter.
• Energy-efficient compared to warm mist models.

Cons

• If not cleaned regularly, they can release bacteria or mold into the air.
• Can leave white dust from mineral deposits in hard water.

Tip: Use filtered or distilled water to reduce white dust buildup.

5. Ultrasonic Humidifiers

How it works

• Uses high-frequency vibrations to create an ultra-fine mist.

Pros

• Extremely quiet – great for bedrooms.
• Produces a fine mist with fewer bacteria than cool mist humidifiers.

Cons

• Some models still produce white dust from mineral buildup.
• Requires frequent cleaning to prevent bacteria growth.

Need parts? Find Air-O-Swiss humidifier parts for ultrasonic models.

Which Humidifiers is Best for You?

Choosing the right humidifier depends on your needs and lifestyle:

• Want a germ-free option? Try a steam humidifier or warm mist humidifier.
• Need something energy-efficient? Go for an evaporative or cool mist humidifier.
• Looking for quiet operation? An ultrasonic humidifier is your best bet.

No matter which type you choose, regular cleaning and maintenance are key to keeping your humidifier working properly. Check out our guide for humidifier cleaning here.

Not sure if your home’s humidity levels are where they should be? Learn how to maintain the perfect balance in our guide to Understanding Humidity.

Find Humidifier Parts at Appliance Factory Parts

Need to replace a filter, tank, or another part? Browse our selection of humidifier replacement parts for top brands like:

• AprilAire humidifier parts
• Sunbeam humidifier parts
• Skuttle humidifier parts
• Crane humidifier replacement parts
• Carrier humidifier parts
• Essick humidifier parts

By choosing the right humidifier and keeping it well-maintained, you’ll enjoy clean, comfortable air all year round!

Want to get the most out of your humidifier? Check out our tips on How to Improve Your Humidifier’s Performance for better efficiency and comfort.

David B. March 31st, 2010

Posted In: Humidifiers

Specification Comparison – More Models

A comparison of specifications for more humidifier models.

Note B = Must be connected to hot water for heat pump application

David B. March 31st, 2010

Posted In: Humidifiers

Furnace Humidifiers: Comparison of Brand Inclusions

Furnace Humidifiers

• Additional information below

A Comparison of Brand Inclusions

Brand and Model	Humidistat	Transformer	Saddle Valve	Wire	Supply Tubing
Adams (Humidaire)
FH-10	No	N/A	X	N/A	X
FH16	No	X	X	X	X
FH20	No	X	X	X	X
FH300A	No		X	N/A	X
FH300B	No	N/A	X	N/A	X
FH400A	No		X	N/A	X
FH400B	No	N/A	X	N/A	X
FH400C	No		X	N/A	X
Aprilaire
110	X		X	N/A	No
112	X	N/A	X	N/A	No
220	X		X	N/A	No
224	X	X	X	No	No
400	X		X	No	No
440	X	X	X	No	No
445	X		X	N/A	X
550	X	X	X	No	No
560	X		X	No	No
600	X	X	X	No	No
700	X		X	N/A	X
760	X	N/A	X	N/A	X
Autoflo
40	No	N/A	X	N/A
250	No		X	No	X
General
45	No		X		No
65	X	X	X	X	X
81	X		X	X	X
709	No	X	X	X	No
1040	No		X	No	No
1042	No	X	X	No	No
1099	No		X	No	No
1137	X	N/A	X	N/A	No
Herrmidifier
447	X	No	X	X	No
450	No	N/A	X	N/A	No
465	X	No	X	No	No
470	No	N/A	X	N/A	No
490	X		X		X
1400	X	No	X	No
2000	X	X	X	X	No
Lau
VA3300	X	Note A	Note A	Note A	Note A
VA3800	X	X	Note A	Note A	Note A
VA4300	X	X	X	X	X
VA4400	X	N/A	X	N/A	X
VA5200	X	X	X	X	X
Skuttle
35	No	N/A	X	N/A	No
35-2	X	X	X	X	X
35-SE2	X	X	X	X	No
39	X	X	X	X	X
45SH	X	Note A	Note A	Note A	X
90-SH	No	Note A	Note A	Note A	X
55-UD	X	X	X	X	N/A
85	X	X	X	X	N/A
86-UD	X	X	X	X	N/A
190	X	Note A	Note A	Note A	X

Additional Information

Note A = Separate installation kit available and may be purchased separately.

N/A = Not Applicable

David B. March 30th, 2010

Posted In: Humidifiers

Specification Comparison – Popular Models

Specification Comparison – Popular Models