Types of Humidifier Filters

The most important consumable in a humidifier is the humidifier filter. It is an integral part of the humidifier and which the entire unit would be useless without. For that reason, it is important to remember to check and change or clean the filter regularly to ensure that the humidifier is functioning at its best to fulfill its purpose.

What the filter does is trap pollutant and particles in the air that passes through the unit. Without it the result of using a humidifier would be so ugly it could potentially cause more harm than good.

A humidifier, for those who don't know or are not 100% familiar, is an appliance that adds moisture to the air when it is too dry for comfort. Since technology has advanced, the different models of humidifiers work in a variety of ways but the end goal is the same and that is to increase the humidity in the air.

Excessively low humidity levels can cause more problems than just being uncomfortable. There are health issues such as respiratory problems, itchy skin, and nose bleeds that can result directly from the dryness in the air. Wood products are also at risk of potential damage. Things like wood floors, picture frames, furniture and cabinetry are common household wood products that can be expensive to replace if damaged.

Ideally, the humidity level recommended by most health experts is in the range of 30% to 50%. This creates a comfortable living environment for most anyone and is easy if the humidifier unit has adjustable control settings that allow the user to set a target humidity level. The unit will automatically stop when a reader detectors that the target humidity level is reached. Too high humidity is not ideal either since this will promote mold growth and other potential problems.

The most common type of humidifier uses an evaporative humidifier filter which, as it's same suggests, releases moisture into the air by the natural physics of evaporation. A fan blows air over a wet filter so that the filter, or wick, traps particles in the air while allow moisture to evaporate into the air. This is a simple yet effective way of adding humidity to the air in a way that is also self regulating. Since there is only so much moisture the air can hold, the higher the humidity the less water that will evaporate. This sort of self regulation makes it convenient to operate with minimal human intervention.

This type of unit requires a humidifier replacement filter to be installed at least every year, or whenever there is an excessive amount of buildup. Of course the frequency of replacement depends largely on how much the humidifier is used. Sometimes the filter is reusable in which case you are required to perform routine humidifier filter cleaning every so often.

A filter-less humidifier uses a very different strategy to separate the polluting particles from the air that is being passed through the machine. It works by using electrostatic charges to give the particles either a negative or positive charge. Then the air carrying the charged particles is passed over a plate that is oppositely charged. This causes the particles to stick to the plate and thus removing it from the air. The air is then moistened and released.

There are some concerns regarding the use of humidifiers, especially with a filter free humidifier because of the ozone in the air that results. While there is little evidence to support either side of the argument regarding the safety of using a filter-less humidifier, the general understanding currently is that following manufacturer guidelines will minimize any risks that might exist. This means using the right unit based on the size of the room that the humidifier will be used in.

The benefit of a filter-less humidifier is the ease of cleaning and the little maintenance money that is required since there is no filter to be replaced. Simply pulling out the plate and wiping it clean is all that is required beyond the cleaning and refilling of the water tank which is required of any humidifier model.

For anyone interested in a humidifier there is an abundance of information available on the internet and through manufacturers to pick the right unit for any need. The purpose of the humidifier is the most important consideration to remember.  There are also numerous features that come included with any particular humidifier model but the most important thing is that the unit is a good fit for the purpose that it is needed for. Once a unit is purchased, remember to follow manufacturer’s user instructions to minimize any risks and keep the unit clean for maximum life expectancy of the unit. Replace the or clean the filter regularly as needed and no less than once per year since non-visible build up of bacteria and micro-pollutants probably exist.