People ask how long does it take for a humidifier to work? While some may recommend 4 hours to be enough for their rooms to get good humidity, the truth of the matter is this could be erroneous.
The average time that a humidifier can take to make a meaningful impact is dependent on several variables. The speed at which the humidifier is running, ambient temperatures, size of the room or house vis a viz the humidifier rated capacity area, and the appliance’s mist output capacity are some of the factors that determine how long the humidifier can take to work.
Therefore, we cannot put a time frame within which the humidifier should take to work. Let us look at factors affecting a humidifier’s performance, improve its efficiency, and the FAQs regarding a humidifier.
Factors affecting a humidifier’s performance
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The size of the room/house vis a viz the humidifier rated capacity.
The efficiency of any humidifier model will depend on this ratio. When looking to buy a humidifier, you must match your house’s size to the right humidifier. In most cases, the humidifier capacity is indicated as a product description by the manufacturer.
The rate at which the appliance produces mist is typically given per hour, while the room size is noted in square feet. How do you choose the right one? The more the room size ratings in square feet, the higher the amount of mist output per hour is required.
Picking the wrong humidifier for a house may lead to too much humidity in your room, or it may not make an impact because the mist output may be too low compared to the size room size. The size will determine how long does it take for a humidifier to work.
How To Improve The Efficiency Of A Humidifier
Whether you are a first user of a humidifier or a regular user, there are easy tips that you can follow to get the best out of your appliance.
- Set the humidity levels between 30 and 50%: According to Environmental Protection Agency, the right humidity levels should be below 50%. Some analysts argue that while maintaining below 50% is recommended, you should also ensure that it is above 30%. High levels of humidity can lead to other problems, such as encouraging molds and dust mites’ growth. Check on your windows and other surfaces for signs of condensation, which implies that there is too much moisture in the air.
- Regularly change the water: To discourage bacteria and water’s growth in standing water in the humidifier tank, change the water daily.
- Maintain a clean humidifier: It is advisable to disinfect the inside part of the appliance after four days. Follow the humidifier’s cleaning instructions from its manual.
- Always put distilled or purified water in the humidifier: Avoid putting tap or bottled water in your humidifier. This is because such waters have minerals and may also encourage the growth of bacteria and mold.
Humidifier Frequently Asked Questions
With the increasing number of people buying humidifiers, here are common questions and answers.
What size of a humidifier do I need?
The right size of a humidifier will depend on the square footage of the room you want to humidify. Take note of the product description when buying one; there are different humidifiers for different room measurements. Get the right one.
How long should it take to humidify a small room measuring 12×14 feet?
Increasing the humidity of an empty room will be quite first compared to a room with furniture and a wooden floor. In a room with furniture, you will be moistening the room’s air and the other belongings; this may take some time. According to one user, it took his humidifier close to 3 hours to increase the humidity levels from 33% to 38%.
However, a higher humidity level would have been obtained within the same number of hours if the door and other vents to the room were closed. It’s worth noting that the size of the humidifier and the temperature inside the room would affect the number of hours it will take to attain the relative humidity levels required.
How long should the humidifier run?
This will depend on your setting: whether the appliance is set to run on the maximum or minimum power. In most cases, humidifiers are set to run for 11 to 16 hours a day. Always check its reservoir every morning or night to ensure it has water.
How do you tell whether a humidifier is working or not?
The sounding of a humidifier does not necessarily mean that it is working. There are three easy ways to determine whether or not it is performing.
- Check on the water levels on the tank. A descent decrease rate in the water level each day shows that your humidifier increases moisture in the air.
- Buy a humidity gauge and place it in the room you are targeting to increase its humidity level. Please do not rely on the hygrometer that comes with the humidifier; it can give inaccurate results. Take the readings at different times of the day for a few days to ascertain that the humidifier maintains the required humidity levels.
- Place your hand over the output vent of the humidifier. A feeling of a cool breeze on your hand means the humidifier is sending out humidity into the air.
What makes a humidifier produce a foul odor?
Three main reasons can lead to the production of bad smell by your humidifier;
- Growth of mold and fungus: Standing water makes a perfect environment for mold and fungus growth. When water remains stagnant in your humidifier tank, a musty odor is likely to come from the humidifier. This can also be dangerous to your health.
- Bacterial growth: Poor cleaning practices of your humidifier reservoir can lead to the growth of bacteria. This can be the cause of the bad smell from your appliance. According to Aerial Air Quality Sciences, bacteria present in a dirty humidifier can lead to serious health complications.
- Mineral deposits: Water contains minerals such as lead, sodium, and sulfur. When these minerals accumulate in the humidifier, it can be the reason for the bad smell. When left unattended, the mineral deposits can be supplied to the air by the humidifier, leading to health problems when inhaled.
Can you put hard water on a humidifier?
No. Hard water contains minerals, bacteria, germs, and other matters which are not required in a humidifier. The accumulations of the minerals and bacteria found in hard water may lead to the clogging of the humidifier reservoir, the production of a smell, and the supply of contaminated air into the room. Therefore, you are encouraged only to use distilled or purified water on your humidifier unless your appliance has mineral cartridges. Also read more on can you put tap water in a humidifier?
Final Thought
When the cold months are approaching, most people start looking for a humidifier to increase humidity in the drying air. Getting a humidifier for your home is a good investment. However, you need to ensure you are buying a good one and your home’s right size.
The size of your home, the number of moisture-absorbing surfaces in the house, and the humidifier’s capacity are factors that’ll determine the time it takes your humidifier to achieve a relative humidity level. This article therefore answers the question, how long does it take for a humidifier to work?