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The most common humidifier, an "evaporative", "cool mist", or "wick humidifier", consists of
just a few basic parts: a  ,  and
. The wick is a filter that absorbs water from the
reservoir and provides a larger surface area for it to evaporate from. The fan is adjacent to the
wick and blows air onto the wick to aid in the evaporation of the water. Evaporation from the
wick is dependent on relative humidity. A room with low humidity will have a higher
evaporation rate compared to a room with high humidity. Therefore, this type of humidifier is
self-regulating: As the humidity of the room increases, the water vapor output naturally
decreases. These wicks become moldy if they are not dried out completely between fillings, and
become filled with mineral deposits over time. They regularly need rinsing or replacement²if
this does not happen, air cannot pass through them, and the humidifier stops humidifying the
area it is in and the water in the tank remains at the same level.




 

 
Boils water, releasing steam and moisture into the air. A medicated inhalant can also be
added to the steam vapor to help reduce coughs. Vaporizers may be more healthful than cool
mist types of humidifiers because steam is less likely to convey mineral impurities or
microorganisms from the standing water in the reservoir. Boiling water requires significantly
more energy than other techniques. The heat source in poorly-designed humidifiers can overheat,
causing the product to melt, leak, and start fires.

 





 
 
A rotating disc flings water at a diffuser, which breaks the water into fine droplets that float into
the air.



 :
A metal diaphragm vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency creates water droplets that
silently exit the humidifier in the form of a cool fog. Unlike the humidifiers that boil water, these
water droplets contain any impurities that are in the reservoir, including minerals from hard
water (which then forms a white dust on nearby objects), and pathogens growing in the stagnant
tank. Ultrasonic Humidifiers should be cleaned regularly to avoid bacterial contamination which
may be projected into the air.

Impeller and ultrasonic humidifiers do not selectively put water in the air, they also add any
suspended material in the water to the air such as microorganisms and minerals. The amount of
minerals and other materials can be greatly reduced by using distilled water, though no water is
absolutely pure. Filters may also reduce the amount of material but the EPA warns, "the ability
of these devices to remove minerals may vary widely."[1] Depending on the volume, this dust
may have negative health effects. Wick humidifiers trap the mineral deposits in the wick;
vaporizer types tend to collect minerals on or around the heating element and require regular
cleaning with vinegar or citric acid to control buildup.


 !
   

For buildings with a forced-air furnace, a humidifier may be installed into the furnace. They can
also protect wooden objects, antiques and other furnishings which may be sensitive to damage
from overly dry air. In colder months, they may provide substantial energy savings, since as
humidity increases, occupants feel warm at a lower temperature. £
 
 are
connected between the heated and cold air return ducts, using the pressure difference between
these ducts to cause some heated air to make a bypass through the humidifier and return to the
furnace. The humidifier should usually be disabled during the summer months if air conditioning
is used; air conditioners partially function b reducing indoor humidity.


"#
©V 
" (bypass): A pipe brings water directly to a reservoir (a pan) attached to the
furnace. The water level in the pan is controlled by a float valve, similar to a small toilet
tank float. The wick is typically a foam pad mounted on a drum and attached to a small
motor; hot air enters the drum at one end and is forced to leave through the sides of the
drum. When the hygrostat calls for humidity, the motor is turned on causing the drum to
rotate slowly through the pan of water and preventing the foam pad from drying out.



!

$
:
©V  ow cost
©V Inexpensive maintenance (drum-style pads are cheap and readily available)




$
#
©V pequirement for frequent (approximately monthly) inspections of cleanliness and
pad condition
©V Water evaporation even when humidification is not required (due to the pan of
water which remains exposed to a high velocity air stream)
©V old growth in the pan full of water (this problem is exacerbated by the large
quantity of air, inevitably carrying mold spores, passing through the humidifier
whether in use or not).

For the latter reason especially, drum-style humidifiers should always be turned off at the
water supply during summer (air conditioning) months, and should always be used with high
quality furnace air filters (EpV ratings as high as possible to ensure small numbers of mold
spores reaching the humidifier's pan) when the water supply is turned on.
©V  ":
Very similar in design to the drum style humidifiers, this type of furnace
humidifier replaces the foam drum with a number of plastic discs with small grooves on
both sides. This allows for a very large evaporative surface area, without requiring a great
deal of space. Unlike the drum style humidifiers, the disc wheel does not need replacing.

!

$
#
©V Very low maintenance (basin of humidifier should be cleaned out periodically,
unless automatic flushing device is installed)
©V ]o regular replacement of parts necessary
©V Higher output due to large evaporative surface area
©V ¦an be installed in hard water situations
©V aintains efficiency throughout lifespan





$
#
©V Higher price
©V Water evaporation even when humidification is not required (due to the pan of
water which remains exposed to a high velocity air stream)

©V £"
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$ "#
A pipe brings water directly to an electrically-controlled valve at the top of the
humidifier. Air passes through an aluminum "biscuit" (often called a pad; using the term
"biscuit" to emphasize the solid rather than foamy form) which is similar to a piece of
extremely coarse steel wool. The biscuit has a coating of a matte ceramic, resulting in an
extremely large surface area within a small space. When the hygrostat calls for humidity,
the valve is opened and causes a spray of water onto the biscuit. Hot air is passed through
the biscuit, causing the water to evaporate from the pad and be carried into the building.
 !

$
#
©V peduced maintenance (new biscuit only when clogged with dust or mineral
deposits, typically once per year)
©V  ack of a pan of potentially stagnant water to serve as a breeding ground for mold
as with a drum-style humidifier
©V ]o incidental humidification caused by a constantly-replenished pan of water in a
high velocity air stream
©V peduced requirement for expensive air filters
©V Uses little electricity






$
#
©V A somewhat higher purchase price
©V anufacturer and model-specific replacement biscuits versus the relatively
generic drum-style pads
©V A portion of the water supplied to the unit is not evaporated. This can generate a
considerable amount of waste water, and does require connection to a drain.

©V 
"%"#
A pipe, usually a small plastic tube, brings water directly to an electrically-
controlled valve in the humidifier. Water mist is sprayed directly into the supply air, and
the mist is carried into the premises by the air flow.
  




!

$
#
©V  ow cost.
©V ?impler than bypass types to install - single cut hole for installation, no additional
ducting.
©V Uses little electricity.
©V ?mall, compact unit - fits where other types cannot. (Approx 6 inches square.)
©V Because it does not require bypass ducting it does not undermine the pressure
separation (and therefore, blower efficiency) of the return and supply ducts.
©V Does not require use of moisture pads (on-going expense).
©V Highly efficient usage of water. Does not generate waste water and does not
require separate connection to a drain.
©V pequires little maintenance. Periodic cleaning of nozzle may be required in hard
water environments.
©V  ack of a pan of potentially stagnant water to serve as a breeding ground for mold
as with a drum-style humidifier.





$
#
©V ?pray nozzle can become clogged in hard water situations, necessitating the use
of water filter, periodic cleaning of nozzle, or nozzle replacement.

©V !
": '

]on-Bypass Flow-Through' (fan augmented), '?team', 'Impeller or ¦entrifugal

Atomizer' and 'Under Duct'.