Humidifiers

I have dry eyes so it's been suggested to me to buy a humidifier for my home. I went shopping for some the other day and found there are several kinds available. There are the cool air moisture and the warm air moisture. There are some that run 12 hours, some that run 24 and 48 hours. I bought a warm air one that says it runs 48 hours but it ran out of water within half the day. It brought my home up from 40% humidity to 50% humidity during that time, but then during the night that it wasn't running, the humidity dropped back down to 40%. Are there any other options keeping my home more humid on a steady basis without so much maintenance having to keep adding water, etc?

I don't have any plants. No green thumb here, plus my cats would chew them up and kill them eventually. I have my home at 54% humidity now and the humidifier is running strong but it doesn't last long before it needs more water. I was aiming for about 75% humidity ... you think that would be too high?

Wow I wish I had 50% humidity our house hangs about 25 to 26 percent with the humidifier running.

My house runs in the 20-25% Humidity with a steam humidifier going every nite. Even in the monsoon summer season I rarely crack 50% I have a good scientific meter too, what is your meter Miicollins?

I like the steam warm air models, but they all suck and are high maintenance with hard well water.

Joe wrote: I have a good scientific meter too, what is your meter Miicollins?

I have one of those La Crosse meters. It's been pretty accurate for me as far as I can tell.

To address your dry eyes have you tried Restasis? I have severe dry eye and it helped me a bit I finally got plugs stuck in all of my tear ducts to keep the moisture in.

Dr. Scot Morris in Conifer is an expert in dry eye cases you might give him a try I think he is great.

Science Chic wrote: I did a little digging and found this:
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/y ... mo_002.cfm

Humidity: How Much Is Too Much, How Much is Too Little?

Experts have developed rules of thumb to help homeowners make decisions regarding humidity levels in their house. The limits should be used as guides only. Acceptable or comfortable humidity levels will actually vary from season to season, from house to house, and even between rooms in the same house.

http://www.serviceexperts.com/air-quali ... ation.aspx

Optimal Humidity Range for Ideal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality

For optimal comfort and health, studies show that moisture levels should be in the range of 35% to 50%. You can track your home's humidity with a hygrometer, available at hardware and home improvement stores.

http://askville.amazon.com/ideal-humidi ... d=15999614

For best indoor comfort and health, a relative humidity of about 45% is ideal.

It doesn't have to be that exact, but most experts say between 40- 50% is the ideal level.

Too much humidity, greater than 50%, can create an environment where you might have mold or mildew, or harbor pests such as dust mites.

As for plants, I like Philodendrons because they're hard to kill (even with as bad a job as I do taking care of them sometimes)

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dict ... lodendron/

Very helpful information! Thank you. The humidity levels are staying about 50% for me. I guess I would have to have multiple humidifiers to get it higher but it doesn't sound like I should have it higher than 50% anyway, otherwise, I might as well have a rainforest ... :sunrain:

mountaindollar wrote: To address your dry eyes have you tried Restasis? I have severe dry eye and it helped me a bit I finally got plugs stuck in all of my tear ducts to keep the moisture in.

Dr. Scot Morris in Conifer is an expert in dry eye cases you might give him a try I think he is great.

Is Restasis a prescription or can I find it over the counter?