Talk:Humidifier

Comment
The link http://www.all-about-humidifiers.com/ has scant information. This article also needs to be really expanded. It didn't even have the fact that wicks constantly need cleaning and replacement. DyslexicEditor 00:48, 1 June 2006 (UTC) Thank you 84.12.78.137 DyslexicEditor 21:18, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

Two topics on which coverage would be helpful:

1. Does use of humidifiers lend itself to growth of mold in rooms where uses? If not, why not?

2. Is any kind of automatic shutoff incorporated into the mechanism for when supply of water in tank is exhausted.

--Allan Marain 22:50, 28 January 2024 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Marainlaw (talk • contribs)

Too Favorable of Spray-Mist?
I have seen many consumer reviews that warn of the risk of corrosion and other damage to HVAC systems because of spray-mist units, which is not addressed at all. Also, with impeller humidifiers, the use of distilled water is recommended, because you don't want to inhale the other content of tap water, but wouldn't this issue also extend to spray-mist humidifiers? The mechanism seems to be sufficiently similar to potentially cause problems. 70.177.175.63 (talk) 19:14, 12 February 2012 (UTC)

humidistat
this item needs to be added to this line. It measures humidty in a similar fashion as a thermostat does tempreture. - this is a good start. i think it should be expanded to include why humidity is to be controled. the amount of humidity effects how our body disapates heat and then effects how confortable we are. high heat capacity in vapor overrides the airs ability to hold heat and therefore is a big part of what we feel as air temperature. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.110.201.222 (talk) 17:37, 23 September 2007 (UTC)


 * I agree. We would include why to use (advantages) a humidifier --Mac (talk) 20:35, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

--- Why does "humidistat" redirect to humidifier? That doesn't make any sense. They're not the same thing. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.167.13.227 (talk) 02:51, 16 January 2008 (UTC) --- I reworked the humidistat page, it should no longer redirect here. It is still a sub though and needs expansion. Darqcyde (talk) 15:41, 8 September 2011 (UTC)

Why?
This article does not explain why someone would want to use one, which is a fairly important issue to address. --Dweller (talk) 11:49, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

I echo Dweller's comment. Why someone would want to use one is why I looked up this article in the first place, and I left unenlightened! Allan Marain 13:30, 20 December 2009 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Marainlaw (talk • contribs)

Same here —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.230.150.105 (talk) 17:17, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

When outside winter air is heated for inside use, it's RELATIVE Humidity goes down, causing increased skin evaporation, and even though the air may be warm, human skin feels chilly. Also dry air dries out and irritates breathing passages. As an engineer but not HVAC trained, I've been reading HVAC Refs to determine why I am cold in my 70 deg-F room. Well the air Relative Humidity is 30%. ASHRAE standards recommend 70-deg-F and 50% Relative Humidity. My air is too dry. Using the ASHRAE Psychrometric Chart for a 12'x12'x8' Room (1200-CFT), I calculate that I need to add about 4-oz (1/2-cup) of water to raise the humidity from 30% to 50% and be comfortable. Drying a few shirts or wet towels -- ought to help improve comfort. Can anyone check my calcs? and then improve the main article? HalFonts (talk) 21:12, 8 January 2012 (UTC)

I added a new section "Low humidity problems" to give some hints as to why one might want to increase humidity. This is just a start, but the section could use some more work. Reify-tech (talk) 20:02, 29 July 2013 (UTC)

does the fan type also produce dust?
i got the fan evaporative type, expecting it to only evaporate, and therefore produce only water vapor and no mineral dust/microorganisms. But it seems that when I operate it, the air quality decreases anyway, and I cough etc. I wonder if a powerful enough fan can blow water droplets off the wick as well as evaporate.

Also it seems to make the room colder, which is not a good thing in the winter when it is used. This could be mentioned if it is a universal effect. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.167.67.33 (talk) 16:16, 2 January 2009 (UTC)

Types of humidifiers
I came here because I was curious about humidifiers for cigar humidors - the page incorrectly states that humidifiers are just for rooms. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 114.77.130.242 (talk) 16:19, 2 June 2009 (UTC)


 * As of 2018-05-24, the page still has nothing on gel-type humidifiers, commonly used for cigars and pipe tobacco. BMJ-pdx (talk) 02:06, 25 May 2018 (UTC)

Ultrasonic humidifiers for non-residential applications do not generate vapor from a mechanically vibrating plate. Rather it comes from a piezoelectric transducer. Stulz-ATS and Liebert are examples of manufacturers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.158.105.234 (talk) 14:50, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Text Block Removed: Patent Application?
Removing the following text, which appears a copy/paste from a patent application, without any citations, and not clearly related to the article. Fuel Cell? CPAP?--Dbrukman (talk) 06:01, 11 December 2011 (UTC)

A humidifier for humidifying a fuel cell composed of an anode side humidifier and a cathode side humidifier each possessing a plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules for migrating moisture between a supply gas, which is supplied to a fuel cell, and an exhaust gas, which is exhausted from the fuel cell to thereby humidify the supply gas, the humidifier comprising: a pair of heads which hold both ends of the hollow fiber membrane modules, a connecting member which connects each of heads, and a device for warming the supply gas composed of conduits through which a cooling medium exhausted from the fuel cell is passed. The device for warming the supply gas is configured so that first warms a humidifier at an outlet side of the supply gas, and then warms a humidifier at an inlet side of the supply gas.

A CPAP device includes a humidifier including humidifier tub having a heat conducting base plate; and a cradle to support the humidifier tub in an operative position. The cradle may also support a flow generator in operative relation to the humidifier tub. The cradle includes a heater plate in communication with the heat conducting base plate of the humidifier tub in use. The cradle further includes a retaining mechanism to retain the humidifier tub in the cradle, the retaining mechanism being structured to force the base plate into engagement with the heater plate. The humidifier and/or flow generator may include various features to manage inadvertent back-spill of water from the humidifier to the flow generator.

A humidifier and a method for producing it can reduce gas leakage through inside the surfaces of humidifying membranes or through interfaces between the humidifying membranes and separators. The humidifier includes water permeable humidifying membranes and gas separators each having one or two channels opened at least one side in a direction of lamination, through which at least one of a dry gas and a wet gas is caused to flow. A humidifying membrane, a gas separator, a humidifying membrane and a gas separator are repeatedly laminated one over another in this order, or a gas separator, a humidifying membrane and a gas separator are repeatedly laminated one over another in this order. Each gas separator has a frame-shaped portion surrounding the one or two channels, and that portion of each humidifying membrane which, when laminated, faces the frame-shaped portion of a corresponding gas separator is filled with a resin.

Industrial and commercial applications
Until now, the article had an implicit assumption that all humidifiers are to be found in residential applications. This is manifestly untrue, as there is a market for humidifiers for commercial, warehousing, institutional, and industrial applications. I tried to add some mention of non-residential applications, but more coverage is needed.

See the corresponding Dehumidifier article for a somewhat better balance between residential and industrial coverage, though it also needs some work. Reify-tech (talk) 20:02, 29 July 2013 (UTC)


 * I agree. I just added a section on industrial applications. Although that is a field in itself and maybe it should have its own article. --Margin1522 (talk) 08:23, 20 September 2014 (UTC)

Scientific/Engineering background
So far, the article has clear skew for commercial applications and consumerist use. As someone trying to build a small-scale DIY humidifier, I am disappointed by the vanishing research content of the article. Any references to papers describing the operating principle and design guidelines? Nope. None of that. Only links to some goofy AD videos. No good. --213.227.199.52 (talk) 08:11, 25 May 2014 (UTC)


 * Wikipedia is not a how-to manual. However, well-sourced information on principles of operation is welcome. See WP:NOTHOWTO. Reify-tech (talk) 15:11, 2 August 2015 (UTC)

Needs more complete lead
I added a tag about the lead being inadequate. I think it should have a least a sentence or two about each section. Industrial, home, types, health issues, etc. --Margin1522 (talk) 08:26, 20 September 2014 (UTC)

Apparent Unrelated Fact for Sonic Humidifiers
The last sentence (and last paragraph) of section "3.5 Ultrasonic humidifiers" states a fact that appears to be either unrelated to sonic humidifiers or the sentence is incorrectly stated. The sentence reads, "Wick humidifiers trap the mineral deposits in the wick; vaporizer types tend to collect minerals on or around the heating element and require regular cleaning with vinegar or citric acid to control buildup." Almost looks as if this sentence was written with the intention of starting an entirely new section. (A rogue copy/paste?) --roger (talk) 16:08, 9 March 2015 (UTC)


 * @Rogerx Speaking of which, this article does not explain weather there is an unexpired patent for ultrasonic humidifiers, at least not directly! 72.83.128.234 (talk) 16:03, 17 June 2024 (UTC)

January and February
An anonymous editor has repeatedly added "January and February" to the section on low humidity problems, and has used more than one IP address to do so. This claim is simply not true worldwide, and implicitly assumes that Wikipedia has a narrow audience restricted to some parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Please broaden your perspective and worldview; Wikipedia is intended for a global readership. Reify-tech (talk) 15:11, 2 August 2015 (UTC)

We should add "How to choose the best humidifier" guide to this post
[SPAM REMOVED MER-C 18:59, 28 April 2018 (UTC)] — Preceding unsigned comment added by 116.110.69.2 (talk) 10:31, 23 February 2016 (UTC)


 * No, this is explicitly against Wikipedia policy. See NOTHOWTO. Reify-tech (talk) 14:20, 29 October 2016 (UTC)

Misrepresented study conclusions in reference
The paper used to back the purported benefit of humidifier use in the prevention of dry mucous membranes and cough under the Health treatment sub-header does not support the claim as it currently stands. The paper did not involve humidifiers at all; the exposure of interest, among others, was humidity. The claim that humidifiers benefit those with dry noses and coughs may be true, but true-to-claim evidence needs to be referenced. J E F-T (talk) 21:12, 16 December 2023 (UTC)

Not a guide for cleaning
I think that statement about failure to clean humidifier creates build up of mold and bacteria goes against NOTGUIDE. I realized that myself. Hope I'm good use of the talk page. Cwater1 (talk) 01:16, 4 June 2024 (UTC)