Unlike portable humidifiers, whole house ones need less maintenance. However, the merit comes with a condition; humidifier pad must frequently be changed for the unit to function optimally. In this post, we’ll elaborate on humidifier pads, their role, and maintenance and how often to replace them in Belleville, IL.
What is a Humidifier Pad?
A water panel or a humidifier pad is a medium in which your home air collects moisture to increase the humidity inside during the hot season. When indoor humidity is low, water flows to the pad and air gathered blown over to distribute the water inform of moisture.
Why change a humidifier pad?
- Maximize its performance
- Keep it from smelling due to mold growths
- Removes cellulose coating that holds water meant for dispersion
- Reduces the chances of humidifier leakage
How often should you change the humidifier pad?
Most manufacturers recommend changing the pads at least once a year. However, other factors may require frequent changing. They include:
- During winter when they are used continuously, they get worn out faster than when they are not used frequently.
- If you have a high degree of water hardness, salt accumulation is high, and efficiency is significantly reduced
- When monthly check up necessitates a change of humidifier pads
What problems arise if not changed?
New humidifier pads significantly improve indoor air quality. Failure to change them may result in the following problems:
- Clogging of humidifier drainage
- No moisture in indoor air
- Increased growth of bacteria and mold which contaminates indoor air
- Reduced HVAC system efficiency
- Dry skin due to increased static charges
How to Change Humidifier Pad
If you want to change your humidifier pad, contact BELOMAN in Belleville, IL. We offer cutting-edge air conditioning, plumbing, heating and indoor air quality solutions.
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Whole house humidifiersutilize a water panel, commonly referred to as a humidifier filter. Humidifier water panels should be replaced at least once per year and sometimesmore than once per year depending on how much the humidifier runs and the mineral content, or hardness, of the water in your area. Higher calcium and other mineral content in your water will cause the humidifier filter to clog and deteriorate more quickly, calling for replacement of the water panel more often.
Portable room humidifierstypically utilize wicks or other small filters to capture or minimize mineral build-up. The humidifier should come with an owner’s manual from the manufacturer to give instructions on filter replacement.
Humidifiers add needed moisture to the air and boast many benefits for the home. They can help your home's living areas feel warmer, reduce heating bills, relieve allergies, and they even make houseplants stronger. Extending a humidifier's filter life or attaining the estimated lifecycle of a humidifier often depends on environmental and product factors such as wick-type and whether or not you have any animal dander in your home.
Estimated Humidifier Filter Life
Manufacturers generally recommend wick-type portable humidifier filters be changed after one to three months, or even earlier. There are very good reasons to clean or change humidifier filters: for example, as a humidifier operates, it pulls in air and returns it to that room as either a cool or warm mist, depending on the type of humidifier you are using. During this process, dust and other particles become permanently trapped in the filter and are not recycled to the room.
Over time, however, these contaminants clog the filter and hamper proper operation. This will cause the unit to work much harder and a whole lot less efficiently, and this taxed unit is likely to burn out more quickly and use more energy.
Filter Life Hindrances
The presence of smoke, animal dander, or dust can dramatically shorten your humidifier's filter life and quickly create a clog. Good dust maintenance and regular vacuuming of the room, especially the area closest to the humidifier, may extend filter life.
Improvements will also be made when cleaning the intake area of the humidifier. A home's water quality can also hamper humidifier operation as hard water mineral deposits can quickly clog a filter. Unless one installs a water filtration and softening system, this problem is not easily rectified. Plus, using bottled water to run a humidifier is neither economical nor practical. The only remedy for this problem is cleaning or changing the humidifier filter much more often.
Routine Maintenance for Humidifier Filters
With good dust control, the average humidifier filter will only require a changing about every three months. Some wick filters can be cleaned simply by submerging them in water. Check the product manual to be sure, but this process may take a while to ensure all dirt is removed. Overall, humidifier filters are an economical purchase and a time-saver. Purchasing several filters along with a humidifier is also recommended, so you always have extras on hand.
Cleaning a humidifier or changing a wick-type humidifier filter is easy and only takes a few steps. Plus, changing and cleaning a humidifier filter regularly will keep the unit operating at maximum efficiency. When storing away the humidifier, it is important to complete a humidifier cleaning and filter change so the unit will be ready to go for the next season.
Article Sources
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Conditioning, Service Experts Heating & Air. “Top Benefits of a Whole-Home Humidifier.” Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Accessed August 5, 2021. //www.serviceexperts.com/blog/is-a-whole-home-humidifier-right-for-you.
What happens if you don't change filter in humidifier?
What can happen if you don't change the filters? Forgetting or avoiding changing the humidifier filters could put unnecessary stress on your humidifier. This additional strain will cause it to become less effective and will hinder its ability to retain your desired humidity levels.How long does a filter in a humidifier last?
The filter also removes minerals and physical impurities from the water before evaporation, helping prevent white dust (mineral content from the water). To keep a filtered humidifier running well, you'll need to replace the filter every 30-60 days, depending on how frequently you use the humidifier.How do I know if I need a new humidifier filter?
If the filter has a pungent odor, it likely needs to be replaced. The odor can come from scaling, mold, or residue build-up. The smell will be musty like a wet basement or have a vinegar-like smell. These scents signal that you need to change the filter as soon as possible.Can you wash and reuse humidifier filters?
All you need to do is remove the filter from the unit and rinse it under warm water until you can't see any more debris or dirt. After rinsing it thoroughly, leave it out to dry for a few hours. It shouldn't take more than 2 or 3 hours to dry fully, but do not put it back into the humidifier until it is completely dry.