Warm or Cool Humidifiers - Orchid Board

bakeaway · #1 11-22-2010, 01:39 PM

Is there any difference in a warm humidifier and a cool one?
I have a small space I want to raise it some. Is any one better than the other?
I am on a south facing window.

Thanks

Becca · #2 11-22-2010, 01:59 PM

My humidifier will do both warm and cold. I don't really see a benefit of one over the other for orchids. But the warm humidifier will cost more money to run since the water has to be heated, how much it really costs I don't know.

Connie Star · #3 11-22-2010, 02:34 PM

Welcome to OB!
I use a couple of cool mist and ultrasonic humidifiers. I find the combination of the lights and the humidifier is about right. I live in New England, and it's pretty dry in the winter.

Zoi2 · #4 11-22-2010, 08:16 PM

I use warm because it was on clearance and I haven't noticed an increase in the electric bill.
Joann

Eyebabe · #5 11-23-2010, 07:44 AM

I use a warm air humidifier because it is fairly close to the plants and I grow warm climate plants.

Pilot · #6 11-23-2010, 10:34 AM

I use warm as well. Caution on the ultrasonic ones-- if you have lots of minerals (hard) in your water, you'll also get ultra tiny bits of mineral dust that will coat everything in your house.

I like warm better because it takes the edge off in the solarium, too. You can "feel" it better than cool ones. Its what I feel and my orchids probably don't care but they seem to enjoy the gentle and warm swatch of moisture as the fan moves the air about them.

FrankP999 · #7 11-23-2010, 11:00 AM

I would be interested in brands you have has good luck with in terms of durability, filter maintenance, etc. I need a small one for my winter growl light area. Thanks

Frank

bakeaway · #8 11-23-2010, 12:34 PM

thanks for the info,,i just saw a warm one that also has a UV light for killing bactreria in it,,,very cool,,i think it is made by Vick's,,,,

Ray · #9 11-23-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot

I use warm as well. Caution on the ultrasonic ones-- if you have lots of minerals (hard) in your water, you'll also get ultra tiny bits of mineral dust that will coat everything in your house.

The same is true of the "cool mist" ones.

With warm humidifiers, you're basically doing the first half of the distillation process, so the water in the air is pure.

Izzie · #10 11-23-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot

I use warm as well. Caution on the ultrasonic ones-- if you have lots of minerals (hard) in your water, you'll also get ultra tiny bits of mineral dust that will coat everything in your house.

Funny you should say that- I have that very problem. Sort of solved it by setting the humidifier on a towel that's spread underneath it.