5 Tips for Buying a Humidifier

Consider the size of your space, type of humidification you'd prefer, cost and more to find the best humidifier for your home.

Indoor air can become dry and uncomfortable, especially during the winter months when the heater tends to lower your home's humidity levels. Dry air can aggravate allergy symptoms, cause structural damage to furniture and flooring, and even affect your family's health.

If you're experiencing these problems, a humidifier could be a perfect solution. Humidifiers diffuse moisture into the air, raising humidity to appropriate levels. This protects and preserves your home and furniture, increases indoor comfort and keeps your family healthy. Check out the things you should keep in mind to find the perfect humidifier for your home.

1. The size of your space

Portable humidifiers are best for rooms less than 400 square feet. Tower or console humidifiers are best for spaces larger than 400 square feet, and models with larger water tanks can be used in spaces larger than 1,000 square feet. If you want to carry moist air throughout your house, consider in-duct or online models.

2. Humidification type

The next most important decision is choosing the type of humidifier. Warm-mist humidifiers heat water, killing bacteria and allergens but the heating elements require regular cleaning. Cool-mist models have no heating elements, using less electricity to operate. Ultrasonic humidifiers utilize vibrating sound waves to vaporize water, making them extremely quiet and energy-efficient.

3. Tank size

Humidifier tank size determines how long it can run without you refilling it. Some humidifiers can operate for multiple days without a refill, while others can only go a few hours due to smaller tanks. Determine when you plan to use your humidifier — daytime hours vs overnight — to choose a model with a large enough tank.

4. Cost

Small humidifiers can be as cheap as $30, but models with more features or that cover more area can run you up to a few hundred dollars. Basic whole-house models typically range from $100 to $300, with higher-end options costing up to $1,100 — not including the cost of professional installation.

5. Extra features

Models with a built-in humidistat can measure the humidity levels in your environment and notify you if they get too high or low. Timers and auto-shutdown options can power the humidifier off at a certain time or when the tank empties. And water tank and filter indicators can let you know when it's time to refill or change the filter.

Now that you know the key features to look for, you'll be able to choose the best humidifier to keep your home and family healthy and comfortable.