I ordered one for myself and am very happy with the appearance, how quiet it is, and how wonderfully it works. I reccomend this product.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Warm Mist Humidifier Color: Black
I ordered one for myself and am very happy with the appearance, how quiet it is, and how wonderfully it works. I reccomend this product.
Honeywell® Replacement Activated Carbon Pre-Filter for Enviracaire Air Cleaners
- Sold Indivdually as 1 Each
- Dimensions 8.40" H x 8.27" W x 2.76" D
That does not appear to indicate "US PreFilter® Brand."
The filter LOOKS OK, but looks can be deceiving. When I pulled off the velcro tabs, to cut it down to size, some of the filter mesh came off with the tab. I cut that part of the filter off. I have bad allergies, and I so I need a good filter. I am willing to pay the Honeywell premium to get the known, good Honeywell quality. Perhaps this is as good, but I can't really tell. Regardless, all things on the page indicated that this was a HONEYWELL filter, not a generic house brand! If I had wanted a generic house brand, I could have ordered a cheaper one. There are plenty to choose from.
This isn't a case of not reading the product description, or being careless. I am fully aware of the generic house brands, and was very careful to read all of the page, multiple times, before ordering. This is deceptive advertising, in my opinion.
I am going to attempt to upload a scan of the very small slip of paper that accompanied the filter. The filter was not in a box (despite their picture), it was simply wrapped in thin plastic. Not shrink-wrap, just thin plastic.
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Good service & product. Very fast service. I will use this provider & order again.Just as advertised. I am very satisfied.I received this item in just a few days and in excellent shape and well packaged. I would use this vendor again.
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Initially I received the part for my Enviracaire filter (1050x), which is #1050x series. However it did not fit the circumference of the HEPA filter. Kitty Hawk enterprise (the seller) was kind enough to send me a replacement, that did fit. The box that contained the filter that fit, was smaller(although it has the same part #). I suspect a packaging error of some kind. I rated the seller (fair), because of the problems that I had of not being able to use the air purifier, however in retrospect I think that there was no error on the sellers part, since I know of no way to change my rating, I like to change his service as excellent.Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Winia Airwasher AWA-909BD Air Humidifier and Purifier All-In-One
I was looking for some technical details of this appliance on the web but wasn't able to find, hence describing the details in my review.
The power consumption on the label says 11W, I've measured with kill-a-watt, for three speeds (which are all very quiet) it shows 9W, 7W and 6W, so it's truly energy-saving and is designed for 24x7 operation.
Label inside shows "Made in Korea".
Instruction explains that natural evaporation process off its 28 disks is easier to breath than ultrasonic, which I agree to.
Instruction says to top up water regularly and replace it every 7 weeks, reservoir holds 9 liters of water (2.37 Gal) and has a level window (not visible on the product picture).
So far I'm super-happy, the air feels differently when this device worked for a 9 hours, it evaporated ~1/2 gal of water in ~500 sq ft area (while RH was already in 45-50%). Instruction says it might take days for the humidity to stabilize as the furniture and hardwood floor absorb it.
2.0G UV GermFree Humidifier
It has several hidden areas that contain water, most of which are impossible to dry, drain, and clean. The thing is huge, heavy, and nearly impossible to get a grip on. If you thought you were going to keep this on a night table, I hope you have a table the size of a coffee table. We ended up keeping it on the floor and tripping over it.
I'd purchased this to replace one of those dinky little old-fashioned plastic humidifiers -you know, a tank with a little top with a vent. Mine was about 10 years old, and looking shabby. What a mistake! The little one did a much better job of providing steam, and was a breeze to refill and clean.
Bottom line: A waste of $100. Go to the drugstore, buy a $15 plastic one, and replace it in a year or two if it looks shabby.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Aprilaire Model 600 Automatic Whole-house Bypass Humidifier with Digital Control
- The Aprilaire 600 Automatic Humidifier replaces the, now discontinued, Model 600A
- The Aprilaire 600 Automatic Humidifier includes the Model 60 digital control with blower activation
- Unit is truly automatic when connected to Model 60 Digital Control and, included, outdoor sensor
- Also Includes: Aprilaire Model 35 water panel, 110V to 24V transformer, and built-in bypass damper
- This unit has a water feed rate of 3.0 GPH and will deliver an evaporative rate of 0.70 GPH
My first unit was in my last house and was run for 2 years with no issues, then we moved. I just installed 2 in my current house (since I have 2 furnaces, 1 for each floor). I set it to humidity level #5 out of 7, which sets the relative humidity to 35% when the outdoor temperature is about 20 degrees F (details in the manual). The unit automatically turns on when the furnace is running and there is a call for more humidity. The unit can turn on your furnace blower in order to add humidity even when the furnace is not running, but I didn't want that option, so I didn't wire it in. If you do wire it in, there is a switch on the control unit so that you can turn it on or off.
Pros
* It's automatic and comes with an outdoor temperature sensor. This allows the unit to automatically adjust the humidity level so that you don't get condensation on your windows (condensation and the associated mold growth are why some home inspectors do not recommend humidifiers.)
* For us, it reduces nose bleeds and sinus infections.
* No standing water for mold to grow in. No individual room units to clean and refill.
* Works great, turn it on as the weather starts to get cold (also turn on the water to it and turn the lever to open the built in damper) and turn it off as the weather warms up.
* Low maintenance: Replace the water panel 1 time per year
* Low repair costs: There's no fan or extraneous parts. The only moving part is the valve that turns on and off the water. The value is quick and cheap to replace if it ever builds up enough sediment or mineralization to impede function.
* Low upkeep: The manual says to replace the water distribution tray and valve solenoid every ~5 years. All the parts are easy to access and relatively cheap. After 2 years my original water distribution tray showed no wear and I don't think it will really need to be replaced.
* Integrates with the electrical power in your furnace, so there's no extra wiring (assuming your furnace is new enough to have the jumpers.)
* Completely silent.
* Uses almost no electricity
* I did not notice a decrease in air flow coming out of vents throughout the house.
* Easy to install if you are handy. Our local Heating guys charge about $450 to install these and it only takes them 2 hours. I did it myself in about 4-6 hours. All the tools you really need are sheet metal snips, a good drill to put in sheet metal screws, a wrench for tightening plumbing connections, wire strippers, and ideally a 3/4" metal drill bit to install the electronic control. Installation instructions are included in the box, including wiring instructions. The instructions aren't idiot proof, but they're easy to follow for a handy person.
Cons
* Some water is wasted as unevaporated water does drain out the bottom. While I don't want water wasted, I actually think this is a preferable design. I don't want to waste electricity heating the water to create steam and I don't want a tray of standing water for mold or bacteria to grow in (the 400 model has a tray of standing water and no drain, but is otherwise the same as the 600.) I haven't noticed a change in my water bill since installing these units.
* A drain is required. I directed mine into my air conditioner's condensation drain which feeds to the sump pump. No problem. It it's a problem for you, try the 400 model.
Function
The unit works by taking air that has been heated by your furnace and passes it through a panel that has a small amount of water running across it. The water panel looks a bit like a radiator. The water on the panel evaporates into the hot air and gets distributed through your existing ductwork. That's it, nothing fancy. Note that, just like any humidifier, the unit is more efficient if you connect it to hot water rather than cold.
If you decide to install it yourself and go against the recommendation to have a professional do it, you'll also need the following:
#8 sheet metal screws
1/4" copper water line
1/2" ID clear vinyl tubing for drain
Clamp to attach the vinyl drain tubing to the humidifier
Small wire nuts
6" start collar for bypass connection
6" 90 degree elbow(s) for bypass connection
6" pipe for bypass connection
18-2 thermostat wire (a few feet of 18-5 may be helpful to go between the humidifier and your furnace, but 18-2 will work there as well)
Depending on your furnace, 2 quick disconnect electrical plugs may be needed to connect the included transformer to your furnace's power.
If furnace circuit board does not include humidifier accessory terminals an Aprilaire #50 Current Sensing Relay will be needed.
Optional Duct tape (don't use fabric tape, UL rated foil backed tape will last much longer and won't burn) or mastic will improve heating efficiency.
Optional you may want to feed the vinyl drain tubing inside a 3/4" PVC drain to make sure if doesn't get damaged or knocked out of your drain.
Buy Aprilaire Model 600 Automatic Whole-house Bypass Humidifier with Digital Control Now
Aprilaire Model 600 Automatic Whole-house Bypass Humidifier with Digital ControlThis is a highly sophisticated humidifier. I consider myself to be a fairly handy homeowner but after receiving the item and reading the directions I opted to pay a professional for the install. I am glad that I did. I had estimates in my area to do the install between $250 and $350 over the cost of the unit.Everything on this unit is automatic. A hard wire runs outside of the house to monitor the outside air temperature.
The only question that I had before I bought the unit was weather the 3 gallons per hour of water ran 24/7 or not. The answer is that it does not. A solenoid only lets the water run when the unit needs to add humidity.
I am more satisfied with this product than I expected to be.It's a great product and it works extremely well when set to full automatic. The outdoor temperature sensor needs to be installed for automatic mode for proper relative humidity and to avoid window condensation. Yeah it takes some time to install it properly but well worth it. When it's set to automatic it will actually kick on your blower periodically even without a call for heat to get an accurate check of the humidity levels and stay on if they are low. The automatic mode helps tremendously after the heat runs and it needs to stay on for a bit to keep the levels accurate. I also found this setup to be useful in reducing cold spots in the house and to help maintain even temperatures kind of like a 2-stage furnace would. With a flip of a switch it can be set to manual and will only run if there is a call for heat and humidity is required. If you're going to spend the time to install one of these, I wouldn't settle for a unit that is not automatic. The 24vac transformer that was sent with the unit was pretty cheap; I tried to loosen one of the terminals and it broke the lead. Not worth a phone call so I just picked up one at the hardware store for $13. If you plan on using this for automatic purposes, then the transformer should be powered with constant power. I ran power down from the furnace power switch to the blower compartment where I mounted the transformer. That's also nice because when you shut down the furnace via the switch it also shuts down the humidifier and adds protection with the onboard furnace fuse. You will want to wire the transformer at the switch and not from any wires or furnace electronics after the switch (excluding a designed HUM accessory power lead). Like many others my furnace's Honeywell circuit board is equipped with a HUM accessory power lead and on my unit it is 120V so don't think you can bypass the use of a transformer if that's the case. But if your board is similar to mine the HUM power lead will only work if you plan on using it in manual mode as it's only powered when there is a call for heat; it is not powered when there is only a call for the blower or no call at all. Obviously the unit will be more efficient when supplied with heated air; as will be the case most of the time. But there are several studies that show a sufficient amount of humidity will be applied by just the blower moving ambient air through the unit. The manual does state that when set to automatic mode then the unit should be supplied with hot water and in general that is a good practice for the MOST efficient way to evaporate water and help keep the impurities from building up over time. But I couldn't justify the usage of energy that it takes to make that water hot and watch it go down the drain. Some studies show that the benefit is insignificant in supplying hot water over cold water. It's going to be up to you but I couldn't do it and the unit still works very well when supplied with cold water. Hope this helps some of you out in the decision process and I posted a few pictures of the install.
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So like others mentioned... the install guide(s) are a bit crude. Install took me just over 3hrs to do. I piggy backed of the 24v supply already there for the furnace. Used the hot water line for best performance. The tough spots were tin snipping the openings (now i have increadible grip strength) and fitting the 6" flex duct hose (must be a trick to it i don't know) to the unit and the flange. Make sure your sheet metal screws are long enough as mounting holes on the unit are raised. I used an earlier review which had a check list of supplies needed for this project and for once didn't have to make two trips to the hardware store (thanks!).Some tips: To get the unit to work without the temp sensor in place make sure you select manual on the Digital controller (otherwise water won't flow and error message will show). Make sure you get enough wire (@ $.23 a foot better to have extra then to waste gas and time going back). Finally make sure you are at least 6" upstream from your unit with the Control mounting otherwise you will get higher moisture readings.
I was able to turn down the temp in the house 2 degrees and still felt it was too hot in the house (2,500sqft). I am sure i will be getting returns on this for a long time not to mention how pleasant the house feels.
Aprilaire Model 600 Automatic Whole-house Bypass Humidifier with Digital ControlThe humidity hasn't been low enough yet to actually run this yet so I can't comment on its effectiveness (will update review later). However, installation was fairly easy if you are somewhat handy. Wiring in to furnace was a breeze with included wiring diagram. I mounted the 24VAC transformer in a junction box on the side of the furnace. I installed the unit on the cold air return due to concerns raised in other reviews about water dripping down in to the furnace. I opted to not use the saddle valve and chop my hot water pipe and solder in a T with a ball valve instead (not a fan of saddle valves).
Honeywell Top Fill Ultrasonic Humidifer
this time i made it a point to get a humidifier with a convenient refill method. it should be as simple as pouring water right in to the tank without having to remove it from the base or turning it upside down. unfortunately most of the well known or high ended brands have the same inconvenient refill. then i stumbled upon this Honeywell EasyCare Ultrasonic Humidifier. just 50 bucks. i read its reviews and found that most people were complained of 'noise' and poor durability. then i watched this video uploaded by someone on amazon.com and i fell in love with this product. refilling is as convenient as i had desired. they say it is like 'watering a plant'. honeywell is a well known brand so i was not too worried about the durability. but if you bought your item from an unauthorized dealer chances are that you were sold a damaged or refurbished unit.
i went straight in to the walmart store and picked up a brand new unit for $52. it has been running since few weeks now without any issues. you can hear its motor running but the noise is no more than that of a ceiling fan. and i am sure most of us are used to this level of sound at night (unless you are someone who gets irritated by a ticking watch). i found a very neat way of reducing its sound further, almost to Imperceptible level. the motor is located at the bottom of the unit so if you place it on a table top chances are that the sound will resonate. if you have a carpet floor put it there and the carpet will absorb most of its humming sound. otherwise place a sheet of cloth folded on itself several times between the bottom of the unit and the table. you can also use a thin cushion as long as it can hold the unit parallel to the ground.
Performance: the cold vapors are good enough to fog your window panes. before buying this unit i used to wake up every morning with a bad dry mouth but with this running at the lowest level i could feel the difference.
i have been watching this unit closely since i bought it. so far i am totally pleased with it and i have already placed an order for second one for my vacation home. The only thing that you should know about this unit is that there is no auto-shut off option so if water runs out it could run forever. But i do not think it poses any major threat to the unit and it does not (unlike hot mist humidifiers) consume too much of electricity. So, i am not going to lessen the stars that i gave to this product at least for one good reason, hey, we are talking about an ultrasonic Honeywell humidifier for just 50 bucks. Moreover, since the refilling is so convenient most of you will refill it every night and let it run for the whole night and shut it off in the morning as a routine, so you will never feel the need for an auto-shut off option.We bought this humdifier in early December 2010. We followed the recommended cleaning regimen (using the dishwasher for the parts that could be washed on the top rack). We used filtered water. We reassembled it according to the instructions. It worked fine for a month. Then the unit began making loud noises when we turned it back on after cleaning. Also, we began to notice a strong smell. Soon we were cleaning it every 2-3 days. The purchase of Protec antimicrobial filters brought close to immediate relief of the odor issue--but we didn't know this would be necessary when we first bought the unit. This is not a "no filters needed" unit. We also didn't expect to have to replace the demineralization cartridge so often. In any event, the unit stopped working yesterday. This humidifier comes with a 3-year warranty. We expected it to last longer than this.
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I have had 4 or 5 of these now "I keep returning them after a few weeks because the vibrating disc that creates the mist keep disintegrating" I don't know why but if you look when you first get it that little disk will be a shinny silver after a week or 2 they start falling apart and turning black after a certain point they stop working and will no longer create the mist which is how this type of humidifier works. I have 2 other cool mist humidifiers "cheap wall greens ones" that I have had for years and they still work perfectly and the disks still are silver. The disks in these Honeywell units must be made out of some really cheap metal or something.I have 1 left to return this time I am getting a refund instead of a replacement, luckily target has a great return policy. Oh and actually 1 of the units I returned because it came with a defective pump, also there is a huge range on there quality control some units are really loud and some are silent but all of them have busted after a few weeks so I am just going to get my money back and probably buy a whole house humidifier sick of this 20% humidity in my house.
Read Best Reviews of Honeywell Top Fill Ultrasonic Humidifer Here
Don't waste your money. The description of the product says that it is easy to clean and fill and there are no filters to replace. These are the reasons that I bought it in the first place. It IS easy to fill, I'll give them that. But, while there are no filters to replace, you do have to replace the demineralization cartridge. There is no mention of this on the box; you only find out after you've used it for a week and then read the cleaning instructions. Despite changing the cartridge every single week (expensive!), I still have a a thick coating of white powder on every surface of the room after a couple of days of use. In addition, it takes ONE FULL HOUR EVERY WEEK to clean this unit. You can wash some parts in the dishwasher if you are willing to run a load with ONLY the humidifier parts and no dishes. But even so, you have to clean some parts by hand and they are not easy to clean--a lot of nooks and crannies. I end up using four or five cotton swabs to get into all the small spaces. Meanwhile the unit itself must be filled with vinegar and soaked for twenty minutes, then rinsed. Then filled with a bleach solution and rinsed. If you don't put the other parts in the dishwasher, these need to be soaked in the main unit. The amount of bleach water and vinegar must be tripled from what the instruction say if you want to actually "soak" all these parts and not just dip a quarter of the part in the soaking solution. These parts then need to be wiped with the soaking solution. I did not expect to spend the equivalent of 2 and a half working days each winter cleaning a humidifier. As I said, "easy to clean" is the reason I bought it. Well, as it turns out I won't have to spend any more time cleaning it or any more money on cartridges because after only two months the unit stopped working--makes a horrible sound like when something is stuck in a garbage disposal every time I turn it on and isn't producing any mist. Based on the customer service reviews I've seen online for Honeywell, I don't have high hopes for getting my money back, but I guess we'll see.Want Honeywell Top Fill Ultrasonic Humidifer Discount?
I was looking for a humidifier that didn't have a filter and used cool mist. This one fit the requirements, although there's this terrible blue light that made using this in the bedroom quite difficult. There was no off switch for the light and it was nearly impossible to block. After deciding that I really liked everything else, I opened up the unit and removed the bulb for the light. Problem solved.The only other complaint I have is there's no setting for the unit to shut off based on the humidity nor any hygrometer included so you have an idea of what impact the unit is making. But given the price point, I can live with that.
I'd definitely say this unit is just for a single room, but that was fine for me.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Cigar Mechanic Small Round Humidifier
Bryant / Carrier Humidifier Water Panel 318518-762 (with Distributor Tray)
Great deal.These things are just tooooooo darned expensive. I don't understand why this item costs so much. If I didn't absolutely need them I'd never order them. Needed is probably why. Can't run the humidifier without them.
Buy Bryant / Carrier Humidifier Water Panel 318518-762 (with Distributor Tray) Now
They fit and do the job. Quality of materials seems good. Price is better than from my dealer. What more can I say.Read Best Reviews of Bryant / Carrier Humidifier Water Panel 318518-762 (with Distributor Tray) Here
Other than the Carrier part number difference, so I had to verify the dimensions, works like a charm. Piece price is better though you have to buy two. Got them on time...no complaints.Want Bryant / Carrier Humidifier Water Panel 318518-762 (with Distributor Tray) Discount?
After moving in to our home, I noticed that the humidifier that is connected to our furnace required this water panel. This item is identical to the old water panel that I removed from the humidifier. I couldn't believe that I found it at Amazon. Wow.Saturday, April 26, 2014
Optimus U-32010 3.0 Gallon Warm Mist Humidifier with Wicking Vapor System
I live in Colorado where sometimes it seems like we have negative humidity. This little machine makes it comfortable to be inside our apartment, easier on the kids and my wife and I for breathing, and it doesn't have an expensive and unreliable filter/wick to change like our old Holmes unit did. To put it bluntly, this humidifier kicks our old humidifiers rear end. Plus it's about 1/3 the size and much MUCH quieter. It's also a lot higher in quality in both materials and construction.Pros: Good Price... Quiet... Sturdy...Easy to fill tank...Absorption Sleeve(more on that later)...Big enough for small to medium size rooms...Built in Humidistat..Easy to clean..
Cons: Finding replaceable absorption sleeves was almost impossible.
The absorption sleeve is a great idea. It slides over the heating element and it makes the unit very easy to clean.. And it makes the unit much quieter than other humidifiers. Because of mineral build-up on the heating element with other humidifiers I've owned they would need to be fully cleaned after every 2-3 times of use. But with this Optimus most of the minerals builds up on the absorption sleeve, not the heating element.. I clean the sleeve every 2-3 times of use, which is a breeze. It just slides off and I clean it with running water, then slide it back on.. The heating element still needs to be fully cleaned, BUT not nearly as often as with other warm mist humidifier.. Because of the sleeve there is much less maintenance..
But damn, good luck finding sleeve replacements. And they probably will need to be replaced once a year or so..Amazon doesn't have them.. Nor does Optimus. Fortunately Optimus makes the same exact humidifier for Kenmore. And of course Kenmore/Sears doesn't have them either, BUT I found the sleeves on Ebay under the Kenmore part number, NOT the Optimus part number. A 3 pack for about $10.. So I'm all set for the next few years.
Anyway besides that this humidifier is top of the line. Easily worth the money.
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I will admit that I was a bit dismayed at first when I set it up because it only worked for a few minutes and then the light for low water level came on even though it was full of water. I actually thought I have to send it back, but as a last resort I put it on a cookie sheet and it seems the surface I had it on was the problem (not level enough). Since then I have been very impressed, with a little practice I can get the humidity where I want it and the water will last for quite awhile. Also, maintenance on this thing is a breeze compared to other humidifiers I have owned. I am very happy and if I need a replacement I hope I can find one like this.Read Best Reviews of Optimus U-32010 3.0 Gallon Warm Mist Humidifier with Wicking Vapor System Here
I've had a popular brand cold air humidifier and I wasn't happy with it. It never seemed to actually increase humidity in my home, and the $20 filter needed changing every 2 weeks because it would become covered in mold. This humidifier works great. I notice a major difference in humidity and the filter can just be rinsed every few days without needing to be changed.Want Optimus U-32010 3.0 Gallon Warm Mist Humidifier with Wicking Vapor System Discount?
Mine has a defect in float sensor and didn't stop even there is no water.As a result, bottom plate and absorption sleeve melt. If I didn't notice that, it could cause a fire.
For the rest, this is a great humidifier.
Operates very quietly, can be used in a bed room.
Has a Humidistat.
Handles on both top and bottom side of tank, provide easy refilling.
Skuttle A16-1722-020 Complete Drum and Media Assembly, Model 190 Humidifier
Friday, April 25, 2014
HOMEIMAGE Adorable Panda Ultra Cool Mist Humidifier
- Adorable Panda shape with 1.8L Water Capacity
- Easy to operate and clean
- Consume only 20W of Power
- Auto off when water is empty
- Adjustable mist volume control. Use up to 8 hours continuously
Buy HOMEIMAGE Adorable Panda Ultra Cool Mist Humidifier Now
What a great buy! Now, I'm not quite sure what animal it is supposed to be, since my son & I can't tell if it's a panda, dog, or "kitty," but it's still adorable. It cheered my son up, and he found it very soothing, especially since it has a night light. I love the cool steam as opposed to the hot ones of the old days, and it's very quiet. It has a handle that pops out of the head so you can easily carry it, and once in place, it pops back into to place & is hidden by a cover that pops out as well. It holds plenty of water, and I ran it all night for 2 nights before having to refill it. My favorite thing about it is that it doesn't leave the area around it wet like most other humidifiers do. Great price, too! My only complaint is that you can't add essential oils to it. I plan on buying another one for my other son. It's nice having multiples when everyone is sick.Read Best Reviews of HOMEIMAGE Adorable Panda Ultra Cool Mist Humidifier Here
Great machine, runs rather quietly. Instructions were not so clear on how to put together for use. The item was a great deal larger than I originally assumed it would be.Want HOMEIMAGE Adorable Panda Ultra Cool Mist Humidifier Discount?
This humidifier is perfect for my LO's room! I don't have to worry about the cool mist burning her, and it doesn't leave condensation all over her windows, furniture, and toys like the regular humidifiers. It's easy to use, and the panda design is really cute (even if it does look more like Hello Kitty).There's not much to say about this humidifier besides that it's perfect. It took all of half a minute to fill the head with water and turn the knob, and that was it no assembly or anything. It makes the room obviously more humid, to the point that it gets too humid unless I turn it to about medium strength, and I just refill it each evening. It seems strong and I expect it will last well.Eureka DCF-3 Dirt Cup Vacuum Filter 5700/5800
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Crane 2.1 Gallon COOL Mist Humidifier
Buy Crane 2.1 Gallon COOL Mist Humidifier Now
I bought the Crane 2.1 Gallon COOL Mist Humidifier reading high reviews and was quite impressed with the product. A couple reviews mentioned that the unit was not functioning properly and I thought that has to be an exception. The unit I bought malfunctioned within 1 (one month). Power would stay on but no humidification. The days that it worked, it worked great but a unit going bad so soon is not acceptable. I am returning the unit for a refund and am not going to be buying it.Read Best Reviews of Crane 2.1 Gallon COOL Mist Humidifier Here
I live in Indiana, and the air in my house is very dry in the winter. Dry itchy skin, sinus trouble, constantly getting shocked when touching metal, etc. I've been shopping online for a GOOD humidifier for over two weeks. I have purchased two Holmes units over the years (different models-JUNK), and got terrible results, and threw them away after using only one winter. I decided to do more research this time, and I'm glad I did. This unit was more expensive than other models, but I was willing to pay more for better results. I unpacked it, leafed through the very simple instructions, filled it with water, plugged it in, and turned it on. A short time later, I could honestly tell a difference in the room humidity level. Again, the air in my house is dry this time of year, so I left it on high for the entire first tank full. This morning after showering; no itchy skin, and I am no longer getting shocked every time I touch metal, or pet my dog. This unit is incredibly quiet-it makes no noise at all! I was surprised that one tank of water lasted as long as it did on high output. I think I have a keeper here-this unit is a winner! It is obviously much better than other units I have purchased in the past. I highly recommend this humidifier.The Crane 2.1 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier is of good quality. It is easy to use and is quiet. I had one similar to this one for over 20 years. It took me awhile to find another one that I really liked. I highly recommend this humidifier.NewAir AU-400 NewAir Ultrasonic Humidifier
There are some downsides:
* The blue light is not UV, there is nothing to kill bacteria so you should change the water often
* The fountain of vapor, although blown upwards by an internal fan, will fall around the base of the unit. I've never really had any problem with water collecting, but still, don't stand the unit on a material that might harbor mold or be sensitive to moisture.
* There is no timer or automatic shut-off if the humidity gets too high, so unfortunately you can't really feel comfortable going to sleep with it on.
All in all it does its job well for the price. Unfortunately my unit after only light periodical use has started having some problems. Particularly, the materials around the "energy exchanger", which is essentially the part that produces the ultrasonics, seem to be warping and deteriorating. Nevertheless, it's still working for now. I don't rate it down too harshly for this because after reading most of the other reviews for humidifiers of any kind on Amazon it does seem that no matter what kind you buy they all need regular maintenance and they'll all degrade over time in one way or another. At this price point I figure I can afford to buy a new one each year if I have to without hurting my wallet too harshly.
My biggest gripe is with Air & Water, who at the time I purchased charged an extortionate amount (about half the price of the unit!) for what turned out to be 2 day shipping. That left a very sour taste in my mouth. Moral of the story: if you need the unit fast check what kind of shipping you're actually paying for "expedited" might not be as fast as the cost leads you to believe.
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Update:
I'd actually like to warn everyone out there about ultrasonic humidifiers. I've recently discovered that they kick out *huge* amounts of fine particle pollution into the air. I discovered this after my air purifier went nuts every time this humidifier was running. Sure enough, when I whipped out my green laser pen I could see zillions of fine particles flying through the beam every time this humidifier was running. I switched to a warm mist humidifier (which boils/evaporates water) and have no such problem.
Upon further research I found science articles stating that ultrasonics can inject so much particle matter into the air that they can bring the air quality below EPA standards for breathable air.
I've seen others on Amazon comment on "white powder" being dispersed by these things, and I always thought they were crazy. I guess not! I didn't actually notice dust around my room (maybe the water quality is good where I live), but I did notice quite a volume of it collected during vacuuming after running the humidifier for a week or so.
I now strongly recommend against ultrasonic humidifiers altogether, especially for anyone with asthma or other respiratory issues.Most ultrasonic humidifiers are shaped so that you cannot place them upside down to fill them at the faucet. They need to have a flat top in order to do this, and this one does have that. On the downside, the fill hole is small, which makes it harder to fill, and the tank is opaque, so that you can't see how much water is left in it. The clear area you can see in the photo is not part of the tank's interior. There is a blue light there that you can turn off or on, but it's very bright which makes it unsuitable as a nightlight, so in our house it's useless. To vary the amount of humidity it puts out, you simply turn the outlet spout for the mist, which allows you to block part of the outlet hole. It can put out plenty of mist. In my opinion, ultrasonic humidifiers are the best because they are quiet (except for a random dripping sound which I find soothing, like a rainy night) and they DON'T HEAT UP THE BEDROOM! But they sure don't last very longa winter or twobut others kinds of humidifiers don't last any longer.
Buy NewAir AU-400 NewAir Ultrasonic Humidifier Now
During the cold winter months turning on the heater leaves my skin feeling dry and itchy. I decided to buy this humidifier to run in my bedroom and it has made a dramatic improvement. The dry itchy skin problem is gone and the increased humidity in the air makes the room feel warmer when I have the heater too.Read Best Reviews of NewAir AU-400 NewAir Ultrasonic Humidifier Here
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Hunter 31008 Microban Ultrasonic Small Room Humidifier
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the unit works great in my 12 X 16 bedroom. Keeps my sinuses happy. If you follow the cleaning instructions, it will stay mold free and work well.however, I'm going to have to use this in a different space in my home. It is loud and makes bubbling noises, even on the lowest setting. I can even hear the motor running. I have had it for two months now hoping I would get use to it, but I just can't. It has affected my quality of sleep.
This will work great in my living room, but not in a bedroom. Even my husband who is hard of hearing is kept awake by it.
Read Best Reviews of Hunter 31008 Microban Ultrasonic Small Room Humidifier Here
Not completely satisfied. Output is weak. Although the output is silent, there is a fairly loud dripping sound as the water enters the bottom of the unit from the tank that is disturbing if you use the unit while sleeping.Want Hunter 31008 Microban Ultrasonic Small Room Humidifier Discount?
I love the quiet, cool mist. Great for bedside or desk top at work. I would like the tank to be a smidgen larger but then it wouldn't be so amall. At work I have to fill using a gallon jug so the small fill hole can be tricky. At home the fill hole is perfect for a sink faucet. The tank lasts about 8 hours full blast. The adjustable mist control is also a plus.PerfectAire 30pt Dehumidifier, PA30
Even in air-conditioned environments, the humidity can be higher than ideal, making residents uncomfortable and leading to slow bathroom towel drying and mold buildup. As someone who lives in the prewar high rise building with a mediocre HVAC system, I purchased the PerfectAire 30 Pint dehumidifier to provide more granular control over the humidity both during the day and while I am sleeping. While its dehumidification capability is excellent, the unit's blower may be a noisy for light sleepers. It registers 50-52 DB at about 8 feet away, which is equivalent to a relatively loud window air conditioning unit.
Another "downside" to this dehumidifier and any similar model is that it uses a sizeable amount of electricity and generates a substantial amount of heat. Depending on the setting, this dehumidifier consumes ~330 watts to ~420 watts, which generates heat directly. But this electrical consumption is only one source of the heat generation.
Just as water evaporation cools ambient temperatures, condensation generates a net positive amount of heat. For air conditioners, the excess heat is vented outside of the building. For a standalone dehumidifier, both the electrical heat generated by the motors and heat of water condensation, which can be equivalent to hundreds of additional watts of thermal energy, are exhausted directly into the residence. The one upside to this heat generation is that it can be utilized to both warm and dehumidify a bathroom. This reduces mold growth and makes the bathroom warmer when the user exits the shower, making it logical to use in the winter if placed in an enclosed bathroom.
The portability of this unit enables myriad creative uses beyond directly improving human comfort through dryer ambient air. With both its drying capability and heat generation, the unit can be used in:
1) Drying clothes such as those that should not be place in a dryer
2) Accelerating the drying of the carpeting after cleaning
3) Dehumidifying and heating a bathroom
4) Prevent air conditioning systems from freezing over
For item #4, I have seen this dehumidifier prevent A/C units from freezing over both in central systems and large window units. For the latter, it is possible to channel the dehumidifier exhaust directly into the intake of the air conditioner. This arrangement has enabled temperatures below 65 degrees without ice formation. At the same time, the PerfectAire knows if its own coils have frozen over and will stop the compressor and blow air to melt the ice.
In terms of performance, I have tested this dehumidifier in various environments in medium and low humidity, monitoring both the water generation and electrical consumption. In medium humidity environments (40 50%), it generates between 17 and 23 pints per day. On a per gallon basis, it requires about $0.47 to $0.61 worth of electricity per gallon of water condensed by the unit. In one test of a cold, dry basement (~35% humidity, 67 degrees), the PerfectAire consumed over $1.17 of electricity to generate one gallon of water. In this application, however, it was placed there to reduce A/C coil freezing, not necessarily to dehumidify.
The PerfectAire 30 Pint dehumidifier is a solid value for those seeking a somewhat portable dehumidifier. Potential buyers might want to consider the noise it generates if they plan to use it in close proximity to where they are sleeping.
Pros
Hose attachment for continuous usage
Easily portable
Determines if its own coils have ice formation and initiates a melting process
Cons
Too loud for some applicationsWhere I live we get a lot of fog from the ocean.
The house is old and the windows produce a lot of moister inside the window sills.
I get a bucket full of water every other day just from my bedroom, even during most of the summer months. (I couldn't believe how much moister was in my bedroom I was buying for the bathroom but because I found some mold by the window of my bedroom, I tried it in my room and ended up buying more when I saw how much it collected from the bedroom alone)
It also helps with reducing some of the staleness of the air since it is not a trustworthy neighborhood and my windows don't have security/bars, the windows aren't opened enough to get all the staleness out.
I have had them for almost a year I bought them from a local hardware store. Of the 3 I bought one had to be exchanged because it was faulty it would turn off and on only when it felt like it mostly off. But the replacement has worked fine and I have had no problems with any of the 3 I have now.
Buy PerfectAire 30pt Dehumidifier, PA30 Now
Good size for a Large 5th wheel. It mainly runs at night, and when we cook. It does pull a significant amount of moisture out, but, still put damp rid buckets in closets where the air doesn't circulate well.Read Best Reviews of PerfectAire 30pt Dehumidifier, PA30 Here
I bought this for a 4 foot crawl space that was at about 78 percent humidity. I connected it to an outside drain and it brought it down to about 45 percent in three weeks. A much nicer environment and this will help stop the mold that was created by the moist environment. It works really good, I had to set it on a box in order to be able to drain above grade, the wheels were a problem since in setup to hook up the drain it fell a couple of times craking the corner of the unit so I took the wheels off and thankfully still works great. Have had it for a couple of months and overall I am pleased. By the way the crawl space was approx 1200 sq ft.We bought this dehumidifier at Ace. It is still working well in 2012. Humidity control is nice. We let it drain, and attached a hose to an outlet.Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Essick Air SGL 1040 Replacement Wick, Single Pack
BestAir HG050 Hygrometer
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I like it, it does the job. I also bought a digital one because it included the temperature of the room as well, and there is a slight variation between the two, just placed in different ends of the room. But overall, good.I was cheap and bought this hygrometer for $2.99. Don't make the same mistake I did. The accuracy must be at least 10% off. To test the hygrometer, I took it outside, where the weather.com says it is 10% humidity (Arizona). The hygrometer showed 25%. I then purchased an Acu-Rite hygrometer at a local retailer for around $10, and it is much more accurate. The % humidity of the electronic Acu-Rite and Best-Air differ by about 10%. The "BestAir" is cheap for a reason.I bought two of these and they didn't calibrate equally; one was reading a higher level than the other. They both did respond to humidity changes though. They have no calibration mechanism, so you just have to take a leap of faith that they are working and are close enough. If you just need one for the room to check occasionally then these should do the trick. We have a humidifier in our room for our baby, so we wanted to just keep an eye on the humidity level and get a basic idea. If you need accuracy, I would look for another product.Monday, April 21, 2014
Lasko 1115 3-Gallon Evaporative Recirculating Humidifier
Pros:
Easy to fill
Easy to clean
Weekly cleanings are fine--could probably even go longer
The machine doesn't seem to get very dirty--recirculating water keeps deposits from forming
Humidifies the air well
Quiet operation (just the sound of the fan)
Long filter life
Cons:
Can't really think of any other than I can't buy the filters locally
I highly recommend this product!This humidifier worked great...when it worked properly. It has sprung a leak on us a couple times, luckily we noticed it as soon as we turned it on. Last night, we were not so lucky and about an hour after we had turned it on, I noticed the carpet all around it was SOAKED. There is a section underneath the refill window where two pieces of plastic come together...that is where the water would leak from. It was not every time we ran it, but after last night and it soaking our carpet, it is being returned! It was nice when it worked, especially nice feature to refill it from the top, but we clearly received a defective one! I have also wondered from the beginning whether we received a 'new' or returned humidifier...filter was not nice and white/clean!
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I've had a lot of crappy humidifiers in all price ranges, but this one seems to do what it's supposed to do. It's been on constantly now for a month, and seems to be pumping out ample humidity without dampening a single thing around it or emitting scary white dust. Amazing! The replacement filters are also cheap, which is great.Cons: A bit loud, seems to need filling a lot even on the lowest setting (but very easy fill can bring pitcher to it rather than drag tank to the sink and lug back), and above all, big and ugly my husband calls it an aircraft carrier, I think it's more like a urinal. But really, those are not deal breakers to me. I'm just happy to find something that works like it's supposed to! yay!
Read Best Reviews of Lasko 1115 3-Gallon Evaporative Recirculating Humidifier Here
The Pro's:This thing can add a lot of humidity in a relatively short period of time. It had no problem maintaining 50-60% humidity on the medium setting in our 1800 sq ft home.
The front fill panel makes it super easy to grab your plant watering can and add a half gallon or so as needed. This is good because even on medium it can empty the resevoir in less than 24 hours.
Easy to clean/maintain and the Lasko filters are cheaper than most
The Nuetral's:
As with most humidifiers the "high" setting is too loud to reasonably use unless you are quickly trying to add humidity while your not home.
As with most humidifiers the 3 gallon rating is the max moisture it can add to the air in a 24 hour period. It only holds 1.75 so you have to fill relatively often in the winter when the heater is constantly working against you.
The Con's:
This unit does not have Auto-shutoff. It uses a pump to keep the filter moist and generally keep the water moving to help prevent mold/bacteria. This is great, but if you let it run dry the pump is toast.
If you over-fill it the fan motor is toast and I was never able to find the fill line that the manual indicates the unit has so I probably tended to underfill it.
The fill door, while very convenient, has a major design flaw. If you fill it while it's running (and I always did...the manual says not to, but i'm sure everybody does) there is a likelyhood that some water from the running pump will trickle out and down the side while you are filling. This seems minor, but once that trickle starts its like starting a siphon...it just keeps going until it's empty. Twice my unit slowly emptied itself onto the floor over the course of several hours. The first time I noticed and shut it off...the 2nd time was overnight and once it ran out of water the pump burnt out.
I'd consider 18 months of near constant use pretty reasonable for a $45 product so I gave 3 stars despite the design flaws...just keep an eye on it.
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I liked the idea of an Evaporative Recirculating Humidifier. Of course, the 3 Gallon capacity is bull squat. Ad doesn't mention filling it twice a day. Had same Leak Problem as others. Worked great, filter a great idea, Then: The great leak on my carpet. I thought I screwed up and became extremely diligent in following all the rules. Don't overfill, Be sure to turn off unit before filling, Keep unit level. Worked fine, and then the same thing. It Leaked.Really liked the unit and didn't want the hassle of returning the unit. SOLVED the Problem by placing the Unit inside of a Litter Pan. Got one from Big Lots for 6.00, measures about 14 x 17 X 4" High. The Unit perfectly. Now, if it leaks again, the water stays inside the Litter pan.Then I got smart and contacted the manufacturer @ 1-800-233-0268. Described my problem, and discovered a missing part. They sent me a plastic insert that fits onto a lower track just inside the front creme panel. The insert has a groove that slides over this inside track. Do not try to attach to the clear panel. The clear panel is designed to press against it when closed. Finally, Problem solved.
INFONONLINE 500ml Aroma Diffuser Ultrasonic Humidifier LED Color Changing Lamp Light Ionizer
- Large 500ml water capacity that can continue use up to 10 hours each time;Coloful changing LED lamp,romantic and convenient
- Aromatherapy: Enjoy the ultimate aromatherapy experience from this little sleek device using your favorite fragrance without any heating elements making this diffuser safe to use. The advanced ultrasonic technology used, produces vibrations at high frequency turning the water into mist creating a soothing and therapeutic atmosphere
- Humidifier: Moisturizes and refreshes the quality of air we breathe. This feature is important as it humidifies the hot and dry air in the room during summer and winter when heating is switched on
- Ionizer: Produces "happy feeling" negative ions which help to lift your mood, strengthen the immune system and relieve stress. Negative ions have several other benefits to the respiratory system and general well being
- Coloful changing LED light lamp,independent light-control
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The diffuser is great with essential oils! Very soothing! Would recommend to one and all. Hope others will enjoy as well.I love this diffuser so much and this is only the second day I've had it. I am already considering getting another one to leave at work. It dispersed my oils through a small school in 1 hour! I am just so impressed and happy with it.I recently purchased this great aroma diffuser. I can't say enough good about it!! It's a nice size and super easy to use. Just lift off the top, add water and essential oils, put the top back on and push the button then forget about it. It has a timer adjustment, it will run for 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours or set it to run continuously (mine lasted an entire day). There are 15 different light color settings, which includes not having a light on at all. The mist it gives out is just as shown in the photo. Within minutes I can smell the essential oil all throughout my house. I have two of these for my own personal use and one for my office. I ordered extras and sold them to my friends because I wanted them to also enjoy this great product....I wish I had ordered more now. The product has a one year manufacturer warranty. When I first opened it I was worried that the power cord wasn't included, but it was packed neatly inside the diffuser...so if you choose to buy one, look there before panicing like I did. :) Only thing left to say is that I would definately purchase this again and I would certainly recommend it to anyone considering buying one. Happy Oiling!!
