Climate change has brought extreme seasons and unpredictable weather patterns. The summer season is warmer, while winter is a few degrees colder. Either way, your home is your haven against these erratic temperatures that rise and fall. But even inside our own homes, feeling the effects of unstable temperatures can sometimes seem inescapable –one of those effects is humidity.
We see humidity all the time around us – from the dew of the morning mist to the moisture on your car’s windshield, from a foggy day to the water droplets on the windowpane in your bedroom. But mostly, we feel humidity when we’re on our daily walk on a warm day, when we jog to get the local newspaper, or when we are inside our homes.
Humidifying Humidity with Humidifiers
The ideal humidity level is estimated to be around 30 to 60 percent. Humidity peaks during the hot summer weather and plummets in the winter– and anything above or below the ideal humidity level is bad for your health and not to mention uncomfortable.
High humidity inside one’s house feels suffocating and warm – essentially, your surroundings feel as if they are airless and oppressive. Low humidity, meanwhile, feels no better; it causes dry air that dries your nasal passages and mouth and irritates your skin. Both are not ideal, because one should feel comfortable and healthy in their own home. This is where the important role of humidifiers comes in.
Humidifiers act to increase or lower the humidity level within the ideal range in a certain room or space. (Function)
Choosing Among its Kind
There are four major types of humidifiers with differing methods: warm mist humidifiers, cool mist humidifiers, ultrasonic humidifiers and evaporative humidifiers.
There are several other types of humidifiers available on the market – each one specially designed to cater to owners’ different needs and preferences. There are portables that can cover one or two rooms, and there are pre-installed ones that cover several rooms or the entire house.
The cardinal rule in looking for the best one is the best humidifier for you is the one that will fit your entire checklist, not simply what most of your neighbors or friends use because each one has different tastes and needs.
With that in mind, here are five (5) of the best humidifiers on the market:
Aprilaire 500 Humidifier
Winters can be harsh, so it’s best to be prepared. Check your heaters and furnaces to make sure they’re functioning properly before the cold hits. However, when we use these heating appliances we are compromising skin health. Skin becomes dry due to exposure to heat and the surrounding air becomes dry as well which can cause itchiness, a classic effect of heat.
If you want to avoid troubling your skin, then you should look into getting a humidifier. And, if you’re searching for whole house coverage, then consider Aprilaire 500 Humidifier.
Features:
Aprilaire 500 Humidifier has coverage of up to 3000 sq. ft. and has a bypass damper built in. It features an outdoor sensor, a water pad, and weighs around 7.3 lbs. It can be operated by a corded-electric source and doesn’t require batteries.
Benefits:
It won’t take long to feel the change in humidity after turning on the Aprilaire 500 Humidifier. Its blower activation feature makes it easier for you to check the humidity level even when the furnace is not functioning. It has an automatic function which works according to the humidistat so you don’t have to bother adjusting all the time.
The product controls humidity indoors with the help of a temperature sensor installed outside – this prevents mold buildup in your windows from increasing moisture. It works better if you use a hot water line, rather than cold. You could also use a furnace with high efficiency.
Disadvantages:
You might run into trouble while installing the humidifier as the instructions for wiring and installment are not easy as you would ideally like them to be. You’ll find it easy if you have basic knowledge of wiring and plumbing. If you don’t, then seek help from an HVAC expert for proper installation.
It is important that you seek guidance from an HVAC expert for the warranty to remain in place. If you do it yourself, you are violating the warranty which can be troublesome in the long run. It would be wise just to spend some extra bucks on the HVAC expert for proper installation rather than going at it yourself.
Verdict:
Aprilaire 500 Humidifier is the product you want if you want to humidify your home for the entire season. Its automatic function adjusts indoor humidity comfortably. Rest assured that the humidifier will give you your money’s worth.
AIRCARE MA1201 Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier
There are many effects of dry air. You can expect a number of problems such as allergies that irritate your sinuses, throat and mouth, skin problems like dryness and itchiness, and even static from light switches and metal doorknobs. A humidifier can help with all these issues and evaporative humidifiers are the best of the bunch when it comes to dealing with dry indoor air. The AIRCARE MA1201 Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier doesn’t disappoint.
Features:
AIRCARE MA1201 covers an area of up to 3600 sq. ft. It consists of a digital humidistat that’s easy to read and it is also equipped with an automated shutdown feature which comes in handy when the humidifier is empty or the optimum level of humidity is achieved. Its other features are smooth operation, check filter, refill indicator, single bottle design and a tank capacity of 3.6 gallons.
Benefits:
What’s attractive about the AIRCARE MA1201 is its innovative console-type design. It is equipped with casters that can be moved anywhere inside your living space for easy re-location. Its wide coverage of 3600 sq. ft. is also a major factor for those that own large homes.
Say goodbye to manual adjustment because the AIRCARE MA1201 will do it for you! Whenever the humidity level is over or under the preferred range its automated system works to adjust it. Not only that but it will also automatically shut down when the tank is empty. This feature prevents the system from overheating. It also shuts down when the preferred humidity level is reached, which helps in saving power. So you could say that the AIRCARE MA1201 is pretty power efficient. Other features include high water capacity (3.6 gallons) and easy operation and cleaning.
Disadvantages:
Some users of the AIRCARE MA1201 have complained of noise, especially during night time. Most users found it tiresome to clean and change the wicks over and over again. Water needs to be transferred to the storage from another container; you cannot fill the storage directly from the faucet. Some users have also complained that the “F” indicator (refill indicator) keeps blinking even when the tank is filled.
Verdict:
The few complaints that reviewers have are minor and don’t do much to decrease the appeal of the product. AIRCARE MA1201 is a great product, there’s no doubt about it. If you’re searching for an energy efficient and dependable humidifier without breaking the bank then the AIRCARE MA2101 is highly recommended.
Aprilaire 700 Automatic Humidifier
One humidifier not enough for your whole house? Fret no more because Aprilaire 700 Automatic Humidifier will solve that problem for you. It can get tiresome to maintain multiple humidifiers when you have an open and spacious living space. The solution is to find a humidifier with a large area of coverage to suit your large home. Aprilair 700 Automatic Humidifier is the solution.
Features:
With a huge coverage of 4200 sq. ft., Aprilaire 700 Automatic covers a large are which ensures that you won’t need another humidifier. It has dual modes: manual and automatic. It is designed to deliver 50% more moisture than its counterparts and boasts a noiseless performance. It is a high capacity humidifier which has an evaporation capacity of 0.75 gallons/hour and weighs 15.8 pounds.
Benefits:
The main advantage of Aprilaire 700 Automatic over other humidifiers is that it provides 50% more humidity than most products out there. Its high capacity is also impressive and nothing beats the 4200 sq. ft. of coverage that it provides. You can save yourself the hassle and cost of installing and maintaining multiple humidifiers by acquiring this one product.
The outdoor and indoor sensor work together to automatically adjust the humidity level indoors so you don’t have to tinker with constantly adjusting the settings. Its digital controller records accurate readings of indoor humidity levels which can help prevent allergies and skin problems.
This product comes with an easy-to-read installation manual for enthusiastic DIY-ers who like to do it on their own.
Disadvantages:
For those who do not have a basic knowledge of electronics and wiring the installation manual won’t much help. If you don’t have experience with these kinds of installations then it is recommended that you bring in an HVAC expert to properly install the product. You’ll be spending a little extra but it’s worth it.
Some customers have complained about noise during operation. That’s relative, of course – some may find it annoying but others may not even notice. Also, the high evaporation capacity might be a problem when it comes to paying the water bills. The humidifier uses relatively large amounts of water which may take a toll on the water bill. So, it might be disadvantageous for those on a tight budget.
Verdict:
Aprilaire 700 Automatic has an overall satisfactory performance and has received many positive reviews from buyers. Its wide area of coverage and 50% more humidity is worth mentioning and definitely worth the money.
AIRCARE H12-400HB 3-Speed Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier
Nobody wants to put up with allergies and itchy skin. You’re likely to get skin problems when the air indoors is too dry. What you need is a whole-house humidifier that can keep air moisture levels optimized all throughout the home. Look no further, AIRCARE H12-400HB 3-Speed Whole-House Console Style Evaporative Humidifier is here for all your humidifying needs. If you’re tired of constantly refilling and cleaning your humidifier then this product is worth looking into.
Features:
AIRCARE H12-400HB can cover an area of 2500 sq. ft. Its salient features are analog controls, 3 speed controls, and single bottle design. It has an outstanding output capacity of 12 gallons per 24 hours. It also consists of a digital readout, rolling castor and a one year warranty.
Benefits:
AIRCARE H12-400HB comes in an oak burl shade that can add to the aesthetic of any living room. Its attractive design makes it easier to blend in with the surroundings. So while you’re keeping the allergies and dry skin away, you don’t have to compromise on the aesthetics of the room. It comes with a rolling caster that makes it easy to move the product around the home as needed. This makes it easier when you’re redecorating or simply relocating the humidifier.
Automatic settings make humidity level adjustments on their own and you don’t have to worry about switching it off as it has an automatic shutdown setting as well. Automatic shutdown will help save energy which ultimately leads to less charged on the electric bills. The AIRCARE H12-400HB is therefore a good long term choice.
Disadvantages:
Some users have complained of a water drainage problem. Reportedly, the water in the tank doesn’t drain into the humidifier properly and needs jostling, which is problematic for smooth operation. Others are dissatisfied with the excessive noise especially during the night. As the fan settings increase the noise also tends to become louder. The product is also significantly heavier that other models that can make it difficult to relocate.
Verdict:
Taking into consideration all the features of the AIRCARE H12-400HB it can be said that it is worth the price. Its overall performance is above par and while it has some issues, they can be mitigated by proper and timely maintenance. The benefits overshadow its few issues. Overall, AIRCARE H12-400HB is a great value.
AIRCARE EP9 500 Digital Whole-House Pedestal-Style Evaporative Humidifier
It can get tiresome to maintain all the humidifiers around the house. That’s why manufacturers have come up with a way to humidify your home without the hassle of using multiple products. With AIRCARE EP9 500 Digital Whole-House Pedestal Style Evaporative Humidifier, you can keep allergies at bay in every corner of your home. These humidifiers are all the rage right now and have sold quite well. And rightly so, because you won’t need to look at another humidifier once you get an idea of how they work.
Features:
AIRCARE EP9 500 Digital is equipped with an automatic digital humidistat that provides accurate readings of the humidity levels inside your home. It has a simple design and covers an area of 2400 sq. ft. It consists of 9 levels of fan speed and has a maximum run time of 60 hours. It also features an automatic shutdown. It comes with filter and refill indicators. It weighs around 25 pounds.
Benefits:
AIRCARE EP9 500 Digital has a front pour-in design which makes it easier to refill. The design is easy on the eyes and allows you to incorporate the product into living room décor as a vase for plants and souvenirs.
All readings and adjustments are digital and dead accurate. The product is designed for the entire house, so you won’t need any other humidifiers. This saves a lot of money in installing and maintaining other appliances.
The automatic shutdown feature is also beneficial as it shuts down the humidifier once the preferred humidity level is reached. This ensures that the humidifier doesn’t use any unnecessary energy when it is done doing its job. You can save money in electric bills as a result. The refill indicator and filter indicator make it easier for users to operate.
Disadvantages:
Its lack of tank can be a deal breaker for some buyers. You need to refill using a bottle or a pitcher because there’s no tank in the humidifier. Some reviewers have also complained of the lack of a waterline gauge which tends to lead to overfilling. You can avoid this by removing the top of the humidifier.
Like most humidifiers, the AIRCARE EP9 500 Digital has had its share of noise complaints. Also, the marketing photos might be misleading. Its apparent wood grain body is actually made of plastic. However, the plastic does look durable. Some buyers may also find its weight a problem during relocation.
Verdict:
A whole-house humidifier might be the best humidifier you invest in. So, make your choice a smart one! AIRCARE EP9 500 Digital Whole House Pedestal Style Evaporative Humidifier definitely delivers when it comes to overall operation and features giving other products a run for their money. Its few complaints can be solved by proper maintenance so that’s not an issue. You can expect good value from this product.
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