Dry air is a common problem in cold weather and in warm climates. An ultrasonic humidifier can help solve the problems caused by dry air. These can be used in just about every room in your house, including the kitchen and bedroom. They shouldn't be used in a bathroom, as the humidity level is generally higher in bathrooms. You can find these humidifiers in home improvement stores or on the internet.



Human beings are most comfortable when the humidity in the air is between 30 and 50%. When the air is drier, you may notice symptoms such as a stuffy nose, sore throat, dry skin, dry hair, a dry cough, itchy eyes or nose bleeds. Low humidity causes problems in your home as well. Over time, dry air causes the wood in your hard wood floors and home furnishings to dry out. In extreme cases, it can become brittle and crack. Static electricity is another common problem with dry air.

Benefits of an Ultrasonic Humidifier

The water in these humidifiers isn't heated. This is a good feature if the machine will be used in a child's room. There is no danger of burns because there is no hot water. These humidifiers are very quiet when running, so your child's sleep won't be disrupted.

Ultrasonics don't create the white dust that is common with warm mist humidifiers. This dust is the result of minerals in the water being released into the air. This dust settles on the furniture. Ultrasonic machines have a metal platform inside that catches this dust and keeps it from being released into the air.

How an Ultrasonic Humidifier Works

Ultrasonic humidifiers add moisture to the air using high frequency sound vibrations. These vibrations create an ultra fine mist in the air. A metal diaphragm inside the machine vibrates at a high frequency. This creates the mist. The size of this appliance is smaller and more compact than other humidifiers. This allows it to fit easily on any furniture.

Some helpful features on these machines include an adjustable setting for mist control. You can adjust these machines for more or less moisture in the air. Many have a built in humidistat to measure the level of moisture in the air. This helps you keep the humidity in the desirable level. If the level climbs too high, you can turn the mist down or off. You can purchase these separately, if your humidifier doesn't come with one.

Using an Ultrasonic Humidifier Safely

The biggest concern with these humidifiers is the water is not heated. This poses a danger of microorganisms being released into the air. The presence of mold spores and bacteria in the air aggravates allergies or asthma and can cause illness. Fortunately there are some things you can do to help lessen this risk.

o Change the water in the humidifier after every use. Empty the container and rinse with fresh water. Use a towel to dry it out completely.

o Fill with fresh water just before every use. This prevents mold spores from growing in the standing water.

o Impurities in your tap water can find their way into the air, causing irritation. Both minerals and additives used to clean the public water supply, such as chlorine can cause irritation. The best way to avoid this is to use distilled or bottled water, or consider having a water purifier installed to clean all your water.

o Clean and disinfect the water chamber regularly. You will find instructions for this in your owner's manual. Use a disinfectant to kill any microorganisms that may remain. Commercial humidifier cleaning products are sold in stores and on the internet for this purpose.

o High levels of humidity in the air lead to the growth of mold spores. Keep the level in the 30-50% range. A humidistat will help you monitor this. If your machine doesn't have one, buy a separate one to be safe.

o A separate air filter, such as a hepa, can help remove any mold spores or contaminants from the air.