Humidifier FAQs
A: All Vornado Evaporative Humidifiers use the same replacement filter. If you find a filter with Vornado’s name, it will work on any Vornado Humidifier.
A: Humidity is important for both health and comfort reasons, especially in the winter. Physicians have long-recommended humidification to help relieve nasal and chest congestion for infants, children and adults. Humidification also helps with dry skin. A humidifier can also minimize annoying static and provide your furniture with much needed moisture.
A: Vortex Action of Vornado Vortex Humidifiers effectively distributes moisture and recovers heat throughout an entire room. It also operates very, very quietly in comparison to competitive models.
A: Vornado’s Model 30 humidifier will effectively humidify a single room in an average home. The Model 40 humidifier can humidify several rooms when strategically placed in between the rooms. The Vornado Evaporative Humidifier humidifies up to 1000 sq. ft., and the Ultrasonic Humidifier humidifies up to 1250 sq. ft.
A: The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends humidity levels between 30% and 60% depending on outside air temperature. Most houses are “leaky” enough to prohibit whole house humidifiers from achieving the recommended levels. A supplemental room humidification can help you reach the ideal humidity level for your home.
A: Yes, Vornado Vortex Humidifiers are designed to run continuously. In fact, continuous operation is not only healthier for your environment, it is better for the humidifier. Allowing the unit to continue running after the water supply runs out allows the wicks to dry out, reducing the chance for mold or mildew grow. Keep in mind, continuous operation requires that the bottles be filled every 24 to 48 hours.
A: Frequency of cleaning depends on the condition of your water. If you have “hard” water, you may need to clean the unit every week or two. If your water is “soft”, a thorough cleaning every 30 to 60 days may be sufficient.
To clean, simply follow the instructions in the Owner’s Guide using a water-and-white-vinegar solution. There are also disinfecting instructions. You can dust and vacuum the outside of the unit and use a hair dryer, leaf blower or “canned air” to get dust off the blades and keep the motor clean. In addition, the filter wicks used in the Vornado Humidifier are disposable to save you time and energy. All you have to do is toss the used filter wick and replace it with a new one - it’s that easy!
A: On first use, the wicks may give off a mild odor that should go away after several hours of operation. If the odor persists, refer to the cleaning procedure below.
A: Yes, it’s normal. As the filter wicks evaporate water, minerals and other impurities are left behind. If your filters appear to be absorbing at least halfway up from the bottom, you can clean them. If they are no longer absorbing and there is no humidification action from your humidifier, it’s time to replace the wicks. Replacing a used filter wick is much easier than scraping the hard water deposits off the bottom of other types of humidifiers.
A: Yes, you can clean the wicks to extend their life or to remove odor. To clean the filter wicks, place them in a pan or sink with enough cool water to cover. Mix in 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and allow the wick to soak, gently pressing to help force the material out of the wick. After 20 to 30 minutes, remove the wick and rinse under cool tap water - DO NOT WRING OR TWIST. Finally, replace the wick in the humidifier. Remember, the wick is a repository of impurities, many of which you will never be fully able to remove. Disposable wicks are convenient because you can simply throw it away once it becomes encrusted. Additionally, cleaning the wick more than once or twice may eventually break down the cellulose and end up destroying it.
NOTE: The life of your wicks can be prolonged by rinsing them under running water a few times a week as well as cleaning them whenever the humidifier is cleaned.
A: We recommend you change your wicks every 6 to 8 weeks. If you have hard water or poor quality water, you may need to change them more often. If you have a soft water system, you may wish to use a bacteriostat additive and/or a Humidifier Water Treatment additive to help prolong wick life. While the sodium used in water softeners is not harmful to humans, it can cause wicks to rapidly deteriorate.
NOTE: The life of your wicks can be prolonged by rinsing them under running water a few times a week as well as cleaning them whenever the humidifier is cleaned.
A: Some companies make replacement filters they say will fit a Vornado Humidifier, but our experience shows that these will not perform as well as a Vornado-made filter. All of our products’ performance specifications are built around the use of Vornado-made filters and accessories.
