The instructions will usually tell you this, and they are not kidding. Unlike a hot-steam humidifier, these things spew whatever is in the water along with the water itself. You end up with calcium (carbonate, sulfate, whatever) and other salts deposited everywhere.
While this unit comes with a filter cartridge that can remove most crud from common tap water, its life is limited. Using distilled water bypasses that issue.
@werehatrack I just use tap water and put a towel down where the steam comes out, the dissolved solids only travel a couple of feet before precipitating out
@jmoor783@werehatrack No, the dust is aerosolized—it stays suspended and migrates everywhere. Get ready for a dimmer TV, dust loves static.
And no, you can’t filter it out…
Distilled is the only viable (and expensive) option.
Buy an evaporative humidifier and avoid the whole problem.
I actually use distilled water in my cats’ water bowls, and they excrete (and accrete) fewer mineral clumps. They (and I) have strong felines about this…
@cole103@jmoor783@werehatrack Modern flat panel televisions do not generate static, and even considering that, I would be very surprised if a buildup of any sort of dust or deposit got thick enough to noticeably dim the picture on a CRT TV.
I suspect water quality has a major effect on the level of atomized solids emitted from ultrasonic humidifiers. I have been using them for over two decades and have never had any deposition issues with my tap water here in central Florida.
A 1-gallon humidifier (capacity) can be a real PITA if you need to run this for more than just overnight. Looks like this model can use nearly 2 gallons/day, that’s a LOT of distilled water to lug around and top up twice daily.
@CBL_WV That’s if you use it at the maximum output. We usually set the dial on our humidifier to about halfway (but my dry hands can’t really attest to how good of an idea that is). I still agree with you, even a gallon a day of distilled water is a lot, let alone filling it twice a day.
You really want a steam or a passive humidifier, these ultrasonic ones just spew tiny microparticles of crap all over your room and air for you to breathe in.
I absolutely love it. It’s my second year using it. It’s very easy to maintain, you can use tap water in it, and it works to humidify my entire apartment which is roughly 1500 sq ft (I think, it’s 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom).
@thWookie I keep hearing this argument and to be frank, either there’s little truth to it or my situation is unique. I have been using ultrasonic humidifiers every winter for 20-odd years and have never had any issues with deposits, using ordinary tap water. The one issue I DID notice is if you use a humidifier in the same room as an ionic air purifier, deposits WILL form on said ionizer and surrounding surfaces.
DAMN! And here I was thinking all the “dust” all over my apartment was dander from my two cats. It’s the F’n salts thrown out by my humidifier. I’ve been using filtered water (screw on to tap type filter) and couldn’t believe there was gunk I continually had to clean out of the reservoir and plumbing of the humidifier. Now I know what and where.
Specs
Product: Boneco 1 Gallon Whisper Quiet Ultrasonic Humidifier
Model: U200
Condition: New
Details
What’s Included?
Price Comparison
$99.99 at Target
Warranty
3 Year Manufacturer Register Here
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 14 - Wednesday, Mar 16
Boneco…that’s what they call your mom
I hope this is pronounced ‘Bo-NEE-co’, or perhaps ‘BOHN-echo’.
huh huh huh you said “BONE”
Boneco makes you wet. Nice.
My nickname in High School.
I miss @yakkoTDI
@guybrush01 He’s taking the fifth.
@phendrick OF VODKA! Oh snap.
/giphy tina-fey-high-five
Advice: Use Distilled Water.
The instructions will usually tell you this, and they are not kidding. Unlike a hot-steam humidifier, these things spew whatever is in the water along with the water itself. You end up with calcium (carbonate, sulfate, whatever) and other salts deposited everywhere.
While this unit comes with a filter cartridge that can remove most crud from common tap water, its life is limited. Using distilled water bypasses that issue.
@werehatrack I just use tap water and put a towel down where the steam comes out, the dissolved solids only travel a couple of feet before precipitating out
@werehatrack it’s all about the minerals. Regular filtered water is also fine.
@jmoor783 @werehatrack No, the dust is aerosolized—it stays suspended and migrates everywhere. Get ready for a dimmer TV, dust loves static.
And no, you can’t filter it out…
Distilled is the only viable (and expensive) option.
Buy an evaporative humidifier and avoid the whole problem.
I actually use distilled water in my cats’ water bowls, and they excrete (and accrete) fewer mineral clumps. They (and I) have strong felines about this…
@cole103 @jmoor783 @werehatrack Modern flat panel televisions do not generate static, and even considering that, I would be very surprised if a buildup of any sort of dust or deposit got thick enough to noticeably dim the picture on a CRT TV.
I suspect water quality has a major effect on the level of atomized solids emitted from ultrasonic humidifiers. I have been using them for over two decades and have never had any deposition issues with my tap water here in central Florida.
Link to the actual manual:
https://www.boneco.us/media/140/download/Manual_U200_Humidifier_Ultrasonic_BONECO_North_America.pdf?v=1
This is nice, well, I was looking at humidifiers for the past hour. Think I may have found it. Good coincidence…
@Sugaree1956 or good cookies?
A 1-gallon humidifier (capacity) can be a real PITA if you need to run this for more than just overnight. Looks like this model can use nearly 2 gallons/day, that’s a LOT of distilled water to lug around and top up twice daily.
@CBL_WV That’s if you use it at the maximum output. We usually set the dial on our humidifier to about halfway (but my dry hands can’t really attest to how good of an idea that is). I still agree with you, even a gallon a day of distilled water is a lot, let alone filling it twice a day.
Come on MEH! I live in Florida, sell a DE-Humidifier sometime…
I live in Alabama. If I run this thing, I may drown sitting on my couch.
You really want a steam or a passive humidifier, these ultrasonic ones just spew tiny microparticles of crap all over your room and air for you to breathe in.
@thWookie Yeah, evaporative humidifiers are where it’s at. I own this one: https://www.homedepot.com/p/AIRCARE-2-5-Gal-Evaporative-Humidifier-for-2-600-sq-ft-MA0800/203019394
I absolutely love it. It’s my second year using it. It’s very easy to maintain, you can use tap water in it, and it works to humidify my entire apartment which is roughly 1500 sq ft (I think, it’s 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom).
@thWookie I keep hearing this argument and to be frank, either there’s little truth to it or my situation is unique. I have been using ultrasonic humidifiers every winter for 20-odd years and have never had any issues with deposits, using ordinary tap water. The one issue I DID notice is if you use a humidifier in the same room as an ionic air purifier, deposits WILL form on said ionizer and surrounding surfaces.
DAMN! And here I was thinking all the “dust” all over my apartment was dander from my two cats. It’s the F’n salts thrown out by my humidifier. I’ve been using filtered water (screw on to tap type filter) and couldn’t believe there was gunk I continually had to clean out of the reservoir and plumbing of the humidifier. Now I know what and where.