A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air in your home. This is especially useful during times of extended furnace use. During those times, the constant heated dries the air. This results in uncomfortable air quality and static electricity.
A humidifier will combat these affects.
How does a humidifier work?
All humidifiers are the same in that they add moisture to the air entering your home. However, there are many different types of humidifiers.
The most common humidifier is called a “wick” or “evaporative” humidifier. It has a reservoir of water, a wick that draws water from the reservoir, and a fan that blows air onto the wick causing evaporation which results in water entering the heating system.
In wick humidifiers, they meter the amount of moisture because the wick absorbs less water when there is more humidity and more water when there is less humidity.
Other types of humidifiers include vaporizers or steam humidifiers, impeller or cool mist humidifiers, and ultrasonic humidifiers.
Some humidifiers require frequent cleaning to guard against bacteria and other microorganisms. With wick humidifiers you should change the wick frequently.
Properly uses, humidifiers provide relief when the air becomes too dry creating a more comfortable environment and reducing those nasty shocks.
