Category: All Posts

Can Humidifiers Cause Mold?- The Answer May Surprise You

Mold is a very destructive agent, not only to your home and property but also to your health. Mold growth can also be very consuming when it is left unchecked. And damage can occur very quickly. 
 Finding the source and stopping it is of the essence when you are dealing with it. 

Can Humidifiers Cause Mold? 

“No. A well maintained humidifier that is operating in the right humidity range will not cause mold.”

But a humidifier that is not cleaned often and allowed to run with water that has been stagnated will not only accumulate mold and bacteria inside of the basin,  it will dispense mold and bacteria into the air you breathe.

Poor air quality that is full of mold and bacteria can be dangerous and cause symptoms that are similar to pneumonia and the flu, etc.

However if a humidifier is being operated how it is intended to be when the humidity in the room has dropped below 40%, it will only benefit you.

Are there any special circumstances where a humidifier could cause mold to grow?

Yes. For instance, you were running a humidifier when the humidity is well above the need for the humidifier to be running.

  If you already have 80% humidity and you’re doing something to add more humidity, like run a humidifier, then you’re going to have condensation, which given the right circumstances can begin to grow mold.

Another scenario is that you have a humidifier that has a physical leak and is allowed to drip onto the wall or behind a desk or other furniture.

Anywhere you have a leak in your house, regardless of the source, you have a good chance of finding mold.

allergy headacheBut a good working humidifier will not cause mold in the right circumstances. A humidifier doesn’t even have the output to create a huge condensation situation. Even on the scale of taking a shower.

What about the opposite?

Can a Humidifier Prevent Mold?

Yes.
And yes you read that right. Studies have shown that excessively dry air creates a much easier path for allergens like mold spores, pollen, airborne bacteria and viruses, to be able to travel much further.

The idea is that when the humidity of the air in your home, business, School, etc. Is kept between 40 and 60%, the moisture in the air does not allow for these “airborne health threats” to travel nearly as far before they are forced to the surface by the weight of the humidity drops.

The right moisture level in the air will actually keep mold spores from being able to travel as far as they would be able to in dry air. And keep it out of the ambient air that you are breathing in.

Maintaining the optimal humidity in your home has so many benefits that it outweighs any of the potential negatives by a mile.

Benefits of a humidifier:

1. Alleviate dry skin
2. Stop nosebleeds
3. Help control acne
4. Keep viruses at Bay
5. Control static shock
6. Help control dust
7. Helps immunity
8. Help control allergies
9. Increase oxygen

1.  Alleviate dry skin

Dry skin is a universal problem that we all deal with from time to time. And it is a problem that is in direct correlation to the amount of moisture in our airstream.
Simply put; if the air is dry then your skin does not have the available moisture to be able to absorb. And to make matters worse, dry air means extra dust in the air, which pulls moisture out of your skin.
A humidifier is the perfect tool to add moisture back to a home that is suffering with low humidity.

2.  Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds and congestion are the main telltale signs that it is time to pull out the humidifier for the season.

Whenever the air gets excessively dry because of the low humidity content in the air combined with the heater blasting, dry nasal passages become intolerable.

Humidifiers are one of the best things you can do when you are suffering from nosebleeds and dry nasal passages with congestion.

3.  Help control acne

Acne is not something most people associate with low humidity. But according to Hadley King MD” dry conditions expose deeper layers of skin to the outside world”. Increasing the level of moisture in your room can help maintain the level of hydration needed to keep dry cracking skin from allowing acne to get a deeper root.

4.  Keep viruses away

Where the air is excessively dry, there is a wide open pallet for particles including viruses, germs and bacteria, to be able to float in the ambient air and much further than when air is properly hydrated.
Humidifiers will add moisture back to the air which can keep viruses from being able to travel as long and as far as they can in dry air.

5. Control static shock/electricity

Static electricity is another one of those telltale signs that the humidity is low.
Without the proper humidity in the air, electrons have a lot less resistance and jump from one body to the next very easily.
Adding moisture to the air with the humidifier will cut down on the amount of static electricity that you are experiencing in your house.

6. Helps control dust

When there is a lack of humidity, dust does not have anything to keep it from floating and moving throughout the air settling on your skin and into your lungs.

Providing humidity back into the air with a humidifier will create moisture in the air that will bind with airborne dust and cause it to settle.

7.  Helps immunity

A study published by medical news today states that the hair-like organelles outside of the cells that line the body’s airways, called cilia, do not function as well and dry conditions – they cannot expel viral particles as well as they otherwise would.

It’s Amazing how a humidifier can actually help your body resist viral particles much better when the air is too dry.

8.  Help control allergies

Airborne allergies like pollen and mold spores that do not have any moisture in the air to keep them from floating will eventually make it into your airways and cause you to have a whole host of allergic symptoms.

Restoring the humidity in a room with a humidifier will help keep allergens from being able to float nearly as long and far as they are able to and dry air. Which can mean big relief for allergy sufferers.

9.  Increase oxygen

Increasing the humidity with a humidifier when the air is dry can indirectly increase your oxygen intake.

“a humidifier is not an oxygen concentrator and it should not be mistaken for one or substituted for one”

The humidity droplets created by humidifiers can weigh down airborne allergens and dust by weighing them down and decreasing their ability to float in the ambient (air that you breathe)airstream.

Thus allowing for better oxygen intake.

Secondly, humidity combined with oxygen producing plants such as rubber plant, aloe vera, and mother-in-law’s tongue can create an oxygen-rich environment. Amazing.

Summary

Can a humidifier cause mold?

A humidifier used correctly at the right time will not cause mold.

Humidifiers are made to add moisture back to the room when the air is excessively dry and under the 40% relative humidity mark.

But a humidifier that is not used correctly or is allowed to be operated when it is unmaintained or has standing water in it, well more than likely has mold and bacteria growing in it and can create an air quality problem that can be very serious.

Other times that humidifiers could be responsible for mold is if they are run when the humidity is already high and does not constitute the use of a humidifier.

And secondly, if there is a physical problem with the humidifier and it is allowed to leak onto the furniture or floor.

Do You Have to Use Distilled Water in a Humidifier? Really?

Do you have to use distilled water in a humidifier?

“No. A humidifier will work with any type of water, distilled, tap, or otherwise, to add moisture back into the air. It’s a fact.”

But certain types of water, because of the mineral and chemical content, will shorten the life of your humidifier and lower its output.
And if the water in the humidifier has been stagnant and is moldy when the humidifier is run, it can actually be dangerous. 

Distilled Water For Humidifiers? Why is it Best?


Distilled water is the best water to use in a humidifier because of its low mineral content. Because of the process it goes through, it has the lowest mineral content of any type of water.

This is important for a few reasons:

  1. The mineral content in most drinking water will eventually shorten the life of your humidifier and lower the output by stopping it up.
  2. The minerals in most water are what is responsible for the dust that you see gathering around your humidifier.

Since dust is one of the primary reasons that your skin gets dried out in dry weather, using water with a lot of mineral content in a humidifier can produce the opposite effect than intended.

  1. The higher the mineral content in the water that you use in a humidifier, the more likely, the growth of mold and bacteria in the water.

Can you use tap water in a humidifierCan you use tap water in a humidifier?

 

Is it dangerous to use tap water in a humidifier. No.

Now more so than drinking tap water.

And though most of us probably drink bottled water more regularly than tap water. But most anytime you purchase tea or coffee from a restaurant, it’s going to be made with tap water.

So whether we believe that tap water is good to drink or not, most of us are most likely consuming it on a regular basis.

The issue with tap water being used in a humidifier are primarily about the high mineral content in tap water.

The higher the mineral content in the water that you use in a humidifier, the more likely to get stopped up and not work properly.

And it’s the mineral content in the water that creates the white Dust that accumulates on the humidifier and around it.

Since dry skin is one of the primary reasons people purchase humidifiers and dust is one of the primary things that pulls the moisture out of your skin in dry weather,operating a humidifier that is creating more dust by using tap water is kinda anti-productive and is producing the opposite result.

  Another issue with tap water is that the minerals in the water have more of a chance to become food for mold to be able to take root inside of a humidifier.

And finally, tap water has a whole list of chemicals that are there “for our own good apparently” that you do not necessarily want to breathe in as part of the moisture content in your air.

Tell me again why they put “fluoride” in tap water?

So even though tap water is definitely not the best option for a humidifier, the issues with it are relatively minor. And if that’s all you have at your disposal, you know the risk,

and it’s not like you can’t clean your humidifier extra well after you use tap water in it. And as for the dust, keep it wiped up.

What other water besides distilled can you use in a humidifier?

Bottled?

Bottled water has a lot of minerals in it that could be an eventual problem for your humidifier. Even the water that is produced by using reverse osmosis has the disclaimer on it that minerals are added back to make it more consumable.

It’s a better option than tap water but it still has its fall backs.

Boiled water?

Boiling water causes the minerals in the water to settle. So if you had a way to separate the settlement so that it did not make it into the humidifier with the rest of the water, it would make a great choice.
The problem is, making that happen. Not exactly easy to do.

So as you can see, what type of water you put in your humidifier pales in comparison to so many other problems.

warning-dirty humidifier water aheadBut there is absolutely one type of water you should never run your humidifier with.

“Stagnant water”.

Water that has been allowed to sit inside of your humidifier is going to be moldy and full of germs and bacteria.

And when you turn that humidifier on with that stagnant water still in it, the germs and bacteria in that water will become part of the air that you are breathing.

Now talk about having the opposite effect than you intended, the humidifier that was supposed to make you feel better, has basically become a weapon of germ warfare.

Legionnaires’ disease and humidifier lung are harsh reminders of what can happen when humidifiers and evaporative coolers are allowed to sit with moldy water.

You can easily look up the symptoms of mold allergies and discover that they look very closely like the symptoms of the flu.

So if you think that the humidifier in your house may be making you sick, you may be right. And you should take it seriously.

Humidifiers have become pretty sophisticated devices and many of them have ways of helping control mold growth.

If you’re in the market for a new humidifier, it’s well worth it to look into some of the features that can help reduce the chance mold and bacteria growing in your humidifier and becoming part of the air you’re breathing. 

There are additives that you can place in your humidifier that can reduce the chances of a humidifier developing bacteria too.

Summary

Do you have to put distilled water in a humidifier?

No. Even though distilled water is the best water to extend the life of your humidifier and has the least chance of creating humidifier dust and producing mold,
A humidifier will work without it.

And though everyone agrees that tap water is the worst water you want to use in a humidifier, you can use it without having to worry about it being dangerous to you.

The main issue with tap water is that it is filled with minerals that can stop up your humidifier. And those minerals can and will produce humidifier dust on your unit and around it.

If tap water is what you have available, then do your best to keep your humidifier clean with vinegar and keep the dust around the humidifier wiped up so it does not become part of the air quality.

  The main thing you should watch out for when using a humidifier is that you do not run it with stagnant moldy water in it.

Mold in your air can produce very similar symptoms to the flu. Pneumonia, humidifier lung, and legionnaires are harsh reminders of what can happen when mold is allowed to grow in water unchecked.

Sore Throat Humidifier- Good Idea or Not?

” When the air is extremely dry, it can make an already painful sore throat feel that much worse. A humidifier is the perfect tool to add moisture back into the room and help alleviate some of the pain. But if you’re talking about the dreaded summer cold when the humidity is already high, a humidifier will not help.”

Everyone knows the feeling of waking up with a sore throat. And to be honest there are very few quick remedies that can make a big difference when you do have a sore throat.

There are some decent sore throat lozenges like the Mucinex and the Vicks brands that provide that ultra cool feeling on your throat but they are not all that long lasting and they do nothing to help at the root of it. And you don’t want to fall asleep with a throat lozenge in your mouth. Or you might end up waking up choking on it.

Drinking a lot of liquids ( coffee and Coke not included) and gargling with warm salt water also have a calming effect on a sore throat. And staying hydrated is absolutely the best policy to get you out of your sickbed quicker.

But the one thing that can exacerbate a sore throat more than any other and in turn help you when you do have a sore throat is maintaining the proper humidity in the room.

Is a Humidifier Good for a Sore Throat?

Humidity levels in the house have a great deal to do with how dry your throat can feel. And though most throat issues are caused by a virus and there’s not a whole lot you can do besides wait it out.

If the humidity in your house is excessively low, it is going to have a compounding effect on your sore throat which will make it more painful. And since sore throat often accompanies nasal congestion, it follows that you tend to breathe through your mouth more which is only drying out your throat further.

Most professionals including the national library of science say that keeping the humidity level at between 40 and 60% in the home is the optimal level for keeping winter related symptoms at Bay.

“The humidifier is the perfect tool for adding humidity back into a room that is lacking the level of humidity that is required to keep viruses from spreading easier and to provide essential moisture for your nasal passages and throat.”

And humidifiers have become pretty sophisticated devices over the last few years that include hygrometers to be able to measure your own humidity as well as give you the option of using cool or warm mist as well as doubling as aromatherapy diffusers.

And when they are performing in a diffuser mode, there are essential oils like eucalyptus they can also have a clearing effect and offer some relief for a sore throat.

But the humidifier is definitely not the answer in every situation. For instance, everyone is familiar with the dreaded summer cold as well. And most of the time, adding extra humidity to the room in the summer is not the solution since the humidity levels in summer typically range above what would be considered the optimal humidity of 40 to 60% indoors.

At that point, it makes zero sense to try to relieve a sore throat by turning on a humidifier.

Can a humidifier give you a sore throatCan a humidifier give you a sore throat?

A humidifier can actually give you a sore throat and here’s why.

Humidifiers have to be cleaned often. When they are not well maintained, they can easily become a perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

Anytime that a humidifier is left with standing water in it, it can begin to accumulate mold and bacteria in as little as 48 hours.

Imagine turning the humidifier on after it has had standing water in it for an extended time. At that point, it has basically become a distributor of bacteria into your airstream.

And the symptoms of moldy air on your health look suspiciously like the symptoms of the flu. Sore throat, headaches, sneezing, runny nose, etc.

A dirty humidifier can account for the reason you are having a sore throat in the first place.

There are a few humidifiers and humidifier products that are made to hinder the production of bacteria.

On the subject of Moldy air, humidifiers are not the only source of mold and bacteria that can affect your breathing and cause you to have cold-like symptoms.

The HVAC system (Central heating and Air) is also famous for being a distributor of bacteria throughout the house. Persistent mold allergy symptoms like sore throat and headaches can often be traced back to a dirty heating and Air system.

Most HVAC supplies offer induct air purifiers that are placed inside of your ductwork and have a high kill rate for mold.

RGF REME HVAC HALO 24V Air Purification System Light

  • 24V Installation with included transformer / Professional Installation by an HVAC Tech or Electrical Contractor is recommended ).
  • It is good against mold, odors, VOC’s, bacteria or viruses. Also: Dust, Particles, Chemicals. (It is recommended to use an electrostatic air filter.)
Buy Reme Halo here

 Evaporative coolers or also known for being a huge breeding ground for bacteria and mold. These machines operate by basically blowing a fan across water to cool the air.

Just like humidifiers, they have the propensity to collect standing water from time to time and must be cleaned often to avoid blowing moldy Misty air into your home.

There are also products you can put into your evaporative coolers to help prevent bacteria from growing.

Is a Humidifier Good for a Sore ThroatSummary: Sore throat humidifier. Good idea or not?

Though a sore throat is usually not the direct result of having dry air, dry air can definitely have a compounding effect on how a sore throat feels.

Waking up with a sore throat is often accompanied with other symptoms like congestion that lead you to breathing through your mouth.
Dry air in the room can make a sore throat that much more painful.

When the humidity in the air is low, a humidifier can be a great tool to add humidity back into the air and help relieve some of the pain of having a sore throat.

But if we are talking about a sore throat in the summer when the humidity is typically too high, the humidifier is not the answer to sore throat relief.

Many people have complained about getting a sore throat as a result of running a humidifier.

And yes, even though a humidifier can be a great relief to you when you have a sore throat and they can conditions are dry,

Humidifiers have a huge disadvantage in that they have to be cleaned very often.

Running a humidifier that has had standing water left in it can actually introduce mold and bacteria into the air which can cause symptoms very similar to the flu including sore throat, sneezing, and headaches.

  Which all is directly and indirectly the result of poor air quality.

Poor air quality can be the result of an unmaintained humidifier but it can be the result of other circumstances including dirty HVAC ducts and evaporative air conditioning which has the same type of mechanics as a humidifier and needs to be cleaned very well and often.

Do Smokeless Ashtrays Really Work?

Do Smokeless Ashtrays Work?

Are smokeless ashtrays a real thing? To be honest, the whole idea seems a little gimmicky to me.

The first time I can remember ever hearing about a smokeless ashtray was from the beginning of that movie Gremlins from 1984.

The guy who plays the traveling salesman, who ends up buying and bringing home the creature to his family, is trying to sell a smokeless ashtray to the shop owner where the gremlin is first seen.

I’m sure that there are a lot of people that will know all the characters’ names and such but I’m not one of them. I don’t really remember liking that movie all that much for one.

But I can’t deny that movie is one of the reasons smokeless ashtrays sound like a scam and are in any way familiar to me.

But I can’t deny that movie is one of the reasons smokeless ashtrays sound like a scam and are in any way familiar to me.

But I also have to admit that if a smokeless ashtray actually worked, that would be an awesome device.

As a non-smoker I can tell you that anytime I’m in a room with people smoking cigarettes,

  The smoke from the lighted cigarette sitting on an ashtray near me has an uncanny way of finding the right airstream to point the smoke directly to my face.

Imagine the amount of secondhand smoke that would be eliminated by just having this one part of the cigarette smoking process in check.

how do smokeless ashtrays workHow do Smokeless Ashtrays Work?

 

Some of them are basically a container with a lid that keeps a lot of the smoke from the cigarette from being able to travel as well.

The other type of smokeless ashtray and the one that seems to be the most popular is a device that has a miniature fan that pulls the smoke into an activated carbon filter. Which is basically a tiny air purifier.

Carbon filters are a lot like a sponge. They are small but they have millions of openings and cavern type spores. The activation process helps bind the chemicals from the cigarette gas into the filter.

Activated Carbon filters are frequently coupled with HEPA filters in air purifiers. Because they are known for their capacity to remove odors and gases.

Unfortunately the size and mass of a carbon filter fitted for a smokeless ashtray is actually quite tiny. And you’re not likely to get a lot of use or efficiency out of one before you have to replace it.t

Do Smokeless Ashtrays Really Work?

If You’re expecting a smokeless ashtray to completely remove all the evidence of a smoking cigarette, then the answer is quite obviously no.

But if you are just needing something to keep the amount of secondhand smoke down, then it is definitely a product worth trying.

For instance, you have a friend that you play cards with that keeps a lighted cigarette near you all the time you’re playing.

  A smokeless ashtray could capture the second hand smoke as it sits on the ashtray,
  the smoke would have a means of being filtered away from you before it travels straight into your non-smoker lungs.

So as long as you know what you’re getting and you’re not expecting a miracle, my opinion is that smokeless ashtrays are a genuine product that can have a great use.

If you go looking for a smokeless ashtray on the internet you will find that there are quite a few to choose from.

Here are a few of the smokeless ashtrays I was able to find by doing a Google search.

iLeefy 2 in 1 Air Purifier Multifunctional Smokeless Ashtray

2 in 1 Machine : It is not only an ashtray but also an air purifier, it can hold the soot without falling, it can also absorb second-hand smoke, and give you a fresh air environment.  

Buy iLeefy Here

Fukang - Smokeless Ashtray Air PurifierAdd Your Heading

Effectively reduce the smell of soot, reduce second-hand smoke from spreading into the air, and keep second-hand smoke disturbing others.

Buy Fukang here

Gratefulbuys-Smokeless Ashtray, 2 Pcs Carbon Filters Included

  • Carbon filters eliminates odors
  • Holds Cigars & Cigarettes
  • Made of Fireproof Melamine
  • Easy to clean
  • Powered by 2 C batteries
Buy Grayefulbuys here

Recap

Are Smokeless Ashtrays Useful?

 

 

Most smokeless ashtrays work like a mini air purifier that you sit your cigarette on.

They have a tiny fan that pulls the smoke into an activated carbon filter.
The same premise as a regular size air purifier.

Whether or not they actually work is depending on what you actually expect out of them.

A miniature air purifier is only going to filter out a very small amount of air.

So expecting an ashtray that has a mini air purifier connected to the bottom to remove a whole lot of smoke is not logical.

If you were thinking about purchasing a smokeless ashtray to hide the fact that you were smoking, you’re not going to get a very good result. 

They can’t work to that extent.

But if you were purchasing a smokeless ashtray to keep the amount of secondhand smoke coming off of a lighted cigarette sitting on an ashtray to a minimum, then you would probably be more pleased by the result.

smokeless ashtrayAs a non smoker, much of the smoke that you have to deal with is not the smoke that people are blowing out of their mouth since they are able to blow it away from you,

But it’s the smoke that is coming from a lighted cigarette sitting on an ashtray.

If a smokeless ashtray can eliminate this part of the smoke, or even reduce it, then I believe that a smokeless ashtray does provide a good function.

But remember, the size of the carbon filters on these things are very small and you are unlikely to get a whole lot of time out of one before you have to replace it.

So purchasing a smokeless ashtray that comes with multiple replacements is going to be the better purchase.

No Heat Coming Out of Vents in House-Help!

If you have no heat coming from the vents in your house,

There are 4 things that you can look for that are super easy and will save you a lot of money.

  1. Check the Filters
  2. Check the Thermostat Battery 
  3. Make sure the Igniter is firing
  4. Clean the Sensor

This article will layout a few tips on what to look for and how to easily get the heat back on.

Recently as me and my wife are going to bed on a Saturday night we begin to notice that our bedroom is getting cold.

Upon inspection, it became pretty clear that the whole house was getting cold including our two daughters’ bedrooms.

Our house is heated by a Rheem Criterion furnace that sits in the Attic.
Not the most convenient thing to get to late on a Saturday night so we decided to just bundle up and go to sleep.

And also since it was Saturday night and the next day would be Sunday morning, calling a HVAC service guy over to take a look at it was going to have to wait till Monday anyway.

We woke up to a house that was about 50°. Not the worst, but definitely chilly.

My wife lit the fireplace and everybody kind of migrated to the living room. So it’s not like we didn’t have any heat.

Having an HVAC technician come to your house is going to be potentially expensive regardless, so I knew I was going to take a look at it myself before doing so.

We’ve had a few instances in the past where we had to call out a heating and air service, so we knew a little bit of what to look for before we called up somebody.

Let’s just say that some of the problems that can occur with your heating can be so easily rectified that calling someone in to fix them can lead to embarrassment.

So these are the 4 things that I know to look for based on experience. There are probably way more things that can be the problem at any time, but these are the things that have helped me out more than a few times.

4 Things to Look for When You Have No Heat

That leads to the first thing to look for when you’re not experiencing heat coming from your vents.

1.  Check your filters.

 If they are too dirty, your system will not be able to get any air flow and it will eventually block the heat from coming out of your vents.

Paying a HVAC technician to come out and inspect your furnace, only to emerge with a dirty filter is an embarrassment and a cost that is easily avoided.

Ask me how I know….

Replacing the filters is too easy and could easily be your problem.

2. Thermostat Batteries.

 Make sure the batteries in the thermostat have not died. This is another super easy diagnosis that can be easily checked and rectified. And a huge embarrassment and cost to have someone come in and “fix”.

These days you can purchase thermostats that will send you alerts when your battery is dwindling down.

But I will venture to say that most of us don’t have that feature so it’s important to check your thermostat from time to time for a” change batteries soon” message on the actual display face.

If your heat is out and you go to check your thermostat to see what the temperature is but the display is blank, your battery is probably dead. Thus no way to control the amount of heat.

Simply, change the battery.

3. Igniter not working

 Now we’re getting a little further down the rabbit hole on possible things that could be keeping your furnace from heating your house.

This will require you to take the face off of your furnace and most of the time this is where most people will stop and just call a service man. And I don’t blame you.

But if it’s Sunday and you’re like me and don’t like to pay a bunch of money only to find out it was something super simple that I could have fixed myself,

Then let’s venture on.

Important , Be sure that you turn off the electricity to your furnace via the breaker box. The breaker box is a easy suggestion but you may find that there is a on and off switch that controls your HVAC close by ( because if you’re installing a HVAC in the attic, you sure don’t want to have to be running up and down to use the breaker box to turn it on and off). At the very least there’s probably an outlet that it’s plugged into that’s easily accessible.

Here’s what you’re going to want to watch for.

1.  Does the igniter get hot and light the furnace?

If you have an older furnace that has a pilot light, then you can tell very easily whether or not the pilot fire light has blown out.

If it has, set the dial to pilot, relight and hold the button down for about 10 seconds. The pilot light should stay lit and then you turn the dial on and you’re set.

But… And this is where most modern homes will fall,
If you have a newer furnace then you have an igniter called a “hot surface igniter” that heats up and eventually fires up the gas.

Here’s the important part:  If the igniter doesn’t get red or gets red and fizzles out real fast, then the problem with your heat is that your igniter is not functioning.

Igniters generally run under 30 bucks and come off with a screwdriver or a quarter inch socket pretty simply.

If you have a igniter that has stopped functioning, then replacing it is a simple process that will save you a bunch of money versus calling out a HVAC tech.

But they are a “part” that you can’t generally just go down to the hardware store and purchase. So if it’s a Sunday, prepare to wait it out another day till Monday to buy one.

Again, ask me how I know…

4. Sensor

 If your igniter works fine, then the next easiest thing to look for is the sensor.

Btw Congratulations if you’ve gotten to this point, because most people we’ll have bitten the bullet and called out a serviceman by now.

But this is another thing that is easy to fix and usually will not cost you a dime to do so.

But if you call out a HVAC technician, he will probably charge you over $100 for this.

The sensor on your furnace is usually located on the opposite end of your igniter. It is a small probe looking piece that is inserted into your furnace to tell the furnace went to come on and go off.

The problem is that these things get covered in Ash and soot from the flames.

And even though the part itself is very inexpensive, most of the time you can easily remove the soot from the sensor with a piece of sandpaper.

Look…Here is an easy diagnosis to determine whether or not your sensor is dirty
and needs attention is to turn your furnace on and watch as it fires up.

If the igniter comes on like normal and fires the gas up like normal BUT the furnace quickly fires down again.

Then you have a dirty sensor.

You may have to do a little Googling to find it on your specific furnace, but generally it will be held in with a couple of small quarter inch bolt screws at the other end of the burners from your igniter.

You simply pull it out and sand it clean. Reinstall it and turn the furnace back on.

I learned this trick by watching a HVAC guy that I called out to get the heating going in my house. He came in, looked at the heater for about 2 minutes, pulled a tiny piece of sandpaper out of his pocket, did some mysterious thing with the sandpaper, then wrote me an invoice for $120.

I knew right then, I was getting financially had over a tiny bit of knowledge that I did not have. And with the internet available 24/7, it was inexcusable for me not to have it.

Cleaning your sensor yourself is super easy and will save you that money!

No Heat Coming Out of Vents in HouseConclusion

That’s as far as the rabbit hole goes for me, but I’ve been able to diagnose and fix the problem based on these 4 easy solutions more than a few times.

Of course this is not an exhaustible list. Nor is it always going to be one of these solutions. For instance, if a new battery does not fix your thermostat, then it may be time for a new one or something else. Not everything is cut and dry.

But these tips have helped me and I’m glad to share them.

BTW, It was the igniter in the specific instance that I was sharing at the top of the article. Saturday night is a very inconvenient time for HVAC issues. To say the least!

Thanks for taking the time to read

Humidifier-Dehumidifier Combo-What Are Some Of The Options?

Unless this is the first thing you’ve read about the subject,

You probably have already realized that a humidifier dehumidifier combo is not really a thing that you can easily find on the internet.

Yes, you might find an experimental one somewhere…

But then again there’s probably a reason why they don’t exactly fill the shelves.

A humidifier and a dehumidifier, though they may sound like the same thing or very similar;

Are actually two very different machines with two entirely different functions.

A humidifier is used to add moisture to the air while a dehumidifier is used to extract moisture from the air.

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are not two appliances that are ran at the same time.
That’s probably the biggest reason why you don’t find too many combination humidifier and dehumidifier machines available.

dehumidifier-humidifier Though you might be able to make the case that these two devices could be combined and work well together.

Why not? they both have a basin for water.

And you could easily see that basin being  used to capture water when the humidity is too high.
  And when the humidity is too low, adding water to the basin to humidify a room….

But the truth is, a dehumidifier is a pretty hefty device on its own that has a full compressor to condense the humidity out of the air.

   And even the smaller dehumidifiers are quite a bit larger than a room humidifier.

And considering the usefulness you get out of a dehumidifier compared to a humidifier,

  it doesn’t make it all that appealing to have a humidifier that is the size of a dehumidifier.

Another issue that I see is that a region that has a climate with excessive humidity is not likely to have a excessively dry season or vice versa.

And Dehumidifiers are more likely to be used less than a humidifier over the span of a year.

So having a device that is likely to be much bigger out of necessity,
during the time of year you don’t need it, doesn’t make combining a humidifier and a dehumidifier all that appealing either.

The bottom line is that these two devices are just not that useful when combined together. And the expense of doing so would not be worth it.

Dehumidifier Humidifier Combo alternatives

For a lot of people who live in climates that are primary dry, a full blown dehumidifier with pump and hose is just too much.

Desiccants placed around the house can be a good solution and a reasonable combination to go with your humidifier. And they are a fraction of the cost of a full size portable dehumidifier.

The easiest way to describe a desiccant is to remind you of the tiny bags that manufacturers include in packaging to help keep their products fresh.

Those are desiccant bags. And you can find them in everything from cookies to shoes.

  But desiccants also come in much bigger sizes and can reduce the humidity in a pretty good sized space.

Here’s a few examples of desiccant dehumidifiers that you can purchase.

Click here for Damprid

Damprid


Damprid is a desiccant container that is available in different sizes. It can also be bought in bags with a hanger similar to what you hang a shirt on.

One kind of Damprid includes activated charcoal that is excellent at getting rid of musty smells.
Damprid is an excellent solution to absorb excess moisture in a small area. It can also be put away from view very quickly.

Click here for Eva-Dry

Eva-dry E-500 Mini Dehumidifier

 

 

Eva Dry Dehumidifiers run totally silent, have a 10-year life span, and do not require any refills.
These are dehumidifiers with small desiccant absorber beads which are specifically designed for smaller areas such as safes and closets. You may need more than one.
These units can take in up to 8oz of moisture, without the maintenance and emptying irritations associated with the compressor-based dehumidifiers.

Dehumidifiers do not have to be the size of a portable air conditioner either. There are several models that can be used in much smaller spaces.

Click here for Levoair

Levoair Dehumidifier

A small dehumidifier, with the drain hose.
The tiny dehumidifier is able to reduce humidity up to 333 square feet.
It’s very quiet because it doesn’t have a compressor. Which is the reason that most dehumidifiers sound so loud.
It has a handle that it can be carried around with,  and it is water-proof. Easily transportable with fewer chances of spilling.
A drain hose, already built-in, allows you to operate it without having to purchase it separately.

Room ventilation

So far we’ve only talked about combining a humidifier and a dehumidifier in a small portable package.

Many people find themselves with extra dry air in the winter and overly humid air in the summer.

So as we start to go down the rabbit hole of what to do to solve the problem, many times it seems obvious that we need a dehumidifier for the humidity and a humidifier for the dry weather.

But that is not necessarily the the answer.

  With modern building practices, houses and homes are usually sealed up exceptionally well.

  Though that is something you want, it can also be a problem when you’re talking about keeping the indoor humidity at the optimal level.

Sometimes just opening the window and letting some fresh air in will help with a dry or humid room.

But what about when opening a window is not an option? Like in the Winter.

That’s where adding a fresh air ventilation system to your existing HVAC can provide the fresh air into your home that can reduce humidity.

Many of these fresh air ventilation  systems come with humidity sensors so that they do not allow excessive outdoor humidity into the home.

And they also come with built-in dehumidifiers to help reduce the humidity if it becomes a problem also.

Click here for Panasonic WhisperComfort

Panasonic WhisperComfort Spot Energy Recovery Ventilator

Panasonic WhisperComfort Spot Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) is a unique way to offer an even airflow with an integrated ceiling ERV.

It is ideal for one room. The Panasonic FV-04VE1 WhisperComfort Spot ERV Ceiling Insert Ventilator has the lowest rate for continuous air exchange. This ventilator provides fresh air to replenish exhausted air, balancing the air pressure in the home.

WhisperComfort Spot ERV Ceiling Ventilator that has Balanced Ventilation and Patent-Pending Capillary core is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty for 3 years beginning from the date of purchase. The item is sold only one unit per package.

Quiet, balanced ventilation: WhisperComfort cleanses the air and exchanges heat between outgoing and incoming exhaust air at a quiet pace that you may not even know it’s there.

LONG LIFE GUARANTEED:

  • Panasonic ventilation fans use lesser energy to transport more significant quantities of air. The less energy used results in less motor failure and overheating and lowers repair expenses.
  • The warranty is for three years.
  • Clean air and save energy: Capillary Core cleans air by exchanging heat between outgoing and incoming exhaust air.
  • Filters are simple to clean and remove.
  • Easy-to-install: Designed for four” pipes, WhisperComfort has the mounting equipment needed, and it is very easy to install.
  • Code Compliant: The item is ENERGY Energy Star certified and in accordance with ASHRAE 62.2 LEED as well as Washington VIAQ Codes and Standards.

Extractor fans

Extractor fans are very useful for bathrooms because they pull the moisture out of the room via a fan  that expels into the attic.

Removing unwanted humidity by extracting it with a fan can be a much better solution than collecting it with a dehumidifier.

Extractor fans are also a great way to reduce humidity in a damp basement that doesn’t really need or have a place to put a full sized window AC.

Click here for AC Infinity AIRTITAN

AC Infinity AIRTITAN T8 Basement Ventilator Fan

  • A fan system that is designed to provide airflow and humidity control to basements and crawl spaces.  
  •  Reduces humidity by generating exhaust airflow, which helps to eliminate foul scents and fresh air out of your home.  
  •  Controller with programmable function and cord that can regulate airflow according to temperature and humidity.  
  •  Frame made of stainless steel that is heavy-duty and has IP-44-rated fans that are extremely resistant to liquids as well as dust.  
  •  Wall Adapter included | Design: Exhaust | Dimensions.  18 x 9 x 1.6 in. | Airflow: 240 CFM | Noise level: 32 Dba

Air conditioning

Refrigerated air conditioning, whether it be what’s coming into your home via the central heat and air or a window air conditioner automatically combine dehumidification as part of cooling your home.

Summertime heat can be compounded by high humidity in the air.

And it’s at those times that cooling down with a fan or even a evaporative cooler are not going to suffice.

Newer AC units most always come with a dehumidifier setting besides their natural humidifying capacity.

Click here for MIDEA Air Conditioners

MIDEA MAW12R1BWT

PROS

  • The LED display on the front of its panel
  • Provides fast and efficient cooling in rooms that range from 500 square. Ft.
  • Dehumidification can help maintain a comfortable atmosphere within
  • Easy to install using all the mounting tools included in the package
  • EcoSave Function aids the unit to shut off when a temperature is reached to help save energy and money.

CONS
Only one-year warranty available.
Refrigerant with flammable properties that could cause a fire or even an explosion

Recap

Doing a search for a dehumidifier and humidifier combo is mostly likely a dead end.

Even though they may sound like a great combination of products to pair together,

They are not two products that are ever used at the same time and the technologies that they use to do their thing are completely different.

They are not compatible in the same way that say, combing a dehumidifier with an air purifier would be. Since they both work to reduce airborne pollutants.

Some solutions that can help manage humidity in the home and be a good combo with a humidifier or dehumidifier are products like:

  • Desiccants
  • Fresh Air Ventilation systems
  • Extractor fans
  • Air conditioners

You can purchase a humidifier with all the bells and whistles you can think of. But none of them will dehumidify.

Same thing goes for dehumidifier. There are some amazing units out there that will dry your room out like a prune. But they won’t add a bit of humidity.

Heater with Humidifier Combo-Good Idea or Not?

You might ask yourself why anyone would want a heater that has a humidifier combined with it?

There’s a good reason actually.

Heaters tend to dry the air out and having a humidifier running at the same time adds moisture back to the air.

As far as combination devices go, a heater that has a humidifier built in is probably the most logical of all combination appliances. At least as far as indoor climate control goes.

It makes sense.

Most appliances that combine more than one function are as not meant to use both functions at the same time or even in the same season.

For instance an air conditioner that has a heater will never run the AC at the same time as the heat.

Or a dehumidifier combined with a humidifier. Technically you can get all the components for both devices all in one shell,

but there is never going to be a time when you need to run a humidifier at the same time as a dehumidifier.

Even water air purifiers are only useful for about half of the year when your your home needs the extra humidity.

So the ideal of combining a humidifier and a heater together is actually a good one.  And they are both primarily winter appliances.

Some benefits to a heater with a humidifier

1. Cheaper (presumably)
2. Space saver
3. It makes sense to have a heater that also humidifies.
4. All the above

 

heater-Humidifier-comboBut with that being said, is there actually anyone that is building a heater with a humidifier combo that is getting it right?

Unfortunately, the ideal of what a heater with a humidifier combo could be doesn’t exactly match up with what is available.

For instance, You would presume that because you’re only talking about one device compared to two, that the price would be cheaper or at least not more than double.

And though this doesn’t apply to everyone, there are definitely some companies that think that combining the two appliances justifies raising the cost significantly.

Because the price is about three times as much as you would pay if you bought the two appliances separately.

It would be much different if there were units out there that actually justified raising the price that much.

But so far what I found is:

The heater function in these units seems to be standard. They do carry with them all the usual overheating and tip over protection features. Nothing special but will get the job done..

But…

Its the humidifier function that is the problem.

Think about it…

If I pay $150 for a humidifier and heater combo, you at least expect to get a heater that is worth $75 and a humidifier that is worth $75 also.

But…

$75 can buy you a nice Vornado heater packed with the latest technology and extra safety precautions.

Or…

$75 can buy you a extravagant Levoit humidifier. One that is fillable from the top, has a built-in hygrometer and humidistat. Can be used as a cool mist humidifier or a warm mist and a aromatherapy diffuser to boot.

In other words, the best heater and humidifier on the market.

But the humidifiers that come built in with these heaters, even the one that is on the Dr Heater series, is at best an afterthought.

They are 99% basic evaporative humidifiers that you will find in the pharmacy section in a big box store for 25 bucks.

To be fair, most of these heater humidifiers do not claim to be the best heater or humidifiers. Nor do they reflect it in price.

  Unfortunately the technology of a heater humidifier combo has not come anywhere near what you can get if you buy the two devices separately.

But they are a space saver, right?

This point I can give you. The size of these machines does not take up any more space than one or the other if you were to buy them separately.

Heater with humidifier. Good idea?

The ideal is there.

A fully functioning modern heater that has a fully functioning modern humidifier incorporated would be an awesome combination machine.

I could see it being sold as a standard product other than an exception to the rule.

But the market has just not caught up, quite yet.

Here’s a small list of some of the heater humidifier combos you can find on Amazon.

Click here for GeekHeat

GeekHeat Portable Electric Heater with Humidifier

  • In contrast to traditional heaters, Geek Heat heater designs with humidifier functions, allowing you to enjoy warmth without drying the air.
    Plus, the both functions of heating and humidifier can be run separately or concurrently. Just lightly press the mode buttons to select the humidifier, heat or both. With the 90 degree oscillation feature, Geek Heat space heater spreads warmth and mist to your immediate area.

  • Safe humidifying: Unlike the conventional built-in humidifying heater for water tanks This portable heater uses an separate water tank to isolate the humidifying system from the heating system, ensuring complete peace of mind. Additionally, the water tank is independent and is simple to refill and keep clean. With a capacity of 200ml and the ability to spray up to 6 hours.

  • Multi-protection: Apart from the usual tip-over protection and heat protection from overheating. We also create a design that has an auto shut-off feature. It will automatically shut off the humidifying or heating mode after continuous 8 hours or 5.5 hours of work. Additionally, the power switch as well as function switch are separate to prevent accidental touching. ETL certified. More secure than you think.

  • Small and compact: 5.2 x5.5×9.8in and 2.8lb when placed on your desk will only take just a tiny corner where you can take in the warm mist and warmth closely. The sleek black design blends with the surrounding area easily. You can put it to use in your office and study rooms as well as bedrooms. It provides you with comfortable moisture and warmth during cold winter months.

Remarks
This heater humidifier combo gets the best reviews on Amazon. It has a separate cylinder type water tank that can be easily removed and refilled.
The humidifier is nothing special but it is easily refilled and can last for 9 hours
Out of all the heater with humidifier products available, this one comes in at the top.

Click here for Dr. Heater

Dr. Infrared Heater DR998, 1500W, Advanced Dual Heating System with Humidifier

 

 

  • Dr. Infrared Heater functions in the same way as the light from the sun, heating objects, not air. The infrared light is natural and is efficient in energy use making use of 100% of the heat that is generated and causes virtually zero loss of heat with a minimal cost.
  • Easy to Maintain
  • Equipped with an adjustable filter that’s simple to clean and replace to allow for a clean start each time you need it.
  • Ultrasonic Humidifier & Oscillation Fan. The inbuilt ultrasonic humidifier helps to add much-needed moisture to winter’s dry air. Its oscillation function disperses moist and warm air throughout the entire space quickly.
  • Make use of a water bottle instead of the water tank
  • The Ultrasonic Humidifier as well as the heating mode are able to be operated in a separate manner
  • Can operate as a fan, either with or without humidifier. Ideal for summer heat.

Remarks
This is another standard heater that has a humidifier option. The humidifier in this case is a slot for a water bottle.
Water bottle humidifiers are a cool idea on their own and it does seem like a good idea to combine with the heater.

But the price is around the \$150 mark. And neither the heater or the humidifier constitutes paying that high of a price. Plus there’s a replacement filter.

Click here for HRC 2-in-1 Heater/ Humidifier

HRC 2-in-1 500W Office/Desktop/Bedroom Space Heater with Mist Humidifier

 

  • Contrary to conventional heaters, HRC heaters with a humidifier function allow you to enjoy the warmth and not dry. Plus, the functions for heating and humidifier can be run separately or concurrently. Lightly press the buttons that indicate mode to select the humidifier, heat, or both. With the 90deg oscillation, the HRC space heater spreads the warmth and mist to the area around you.

  • Warm and comfortable without waiting for the winter months with the PTC Ceramic Heating Technology, the space heater requires 3 seconds to warm the air surrounding it and provide you with instant heat. It is designed with intelligent cooling that allows the heater to run for about 30 minutes to release the heat after turning off the heating. Extending the life of the unit.

  • Safe humidifying: Unlike conventional built-in humidifying heaters, this portable heater utilizes an independent water tank. This keeps the humidifying system separate from the heating system, ensuring your absolute safety. Furthermore, an independent water tank is simple to refill and keep clean with a capacity of 200ml that allows you to mist for up to 6 hours.

  • Multi-protection: Other than the standard tip-over protection and the protection against overheating, we have added an auto shut-off feature. It will automatically shut off the heating mode or humidifying mode after a continuous 8 hours or 5.5 hours of work. Additionally, the power switch and function switch have been designed separately to prevent accidental touching. ETL approved. It’s safer than you think 

Remarks

Basic heater and basic humidifier combination unit.

This unit is very small it only produces heat up to 500 w. A typical heater is 1500 w on high and 750 on low.

It has a small carrying handle that you can fit your finger into.

The price is set about right though at around $40

Click here for Yivibe Heater-Humidifier

Yivibe Electric Heater-Humidifier

 

  1. Spray working modes Continuous adjustable spray/intermittent spray/ direct spray for about 5 hours. The intermittent spray lasts approximately 9 hours 2. It comes with double spray humidification. The skin is not dry anymore while remaining warm, and the skin remains hydrated.

     

  2. 120-degree shake head feature and area heating. Wide selection of shaking head heating that heats indoor air Close heating is more convenient.

     

  3. This button can be adjustable by 135deg of rotation. The blowing angle can be adjustable to the desired angle and can be obtained by changing the knob.

     

  4. The temperature control is available at three levels that correspond to different requirements for use and can be adjusted to a comfortable temperature by pressing the switch.

     

  5. The water tank has an ambient lamp that can serve as lighting for the night when it’s switched on, with minimal sound and silence, making it easy to accompany you as you sleep.

     

  6. Safety protection, if the fuselage gets bumped or tilted more than 45 degrees, the fan heater will shut down automatically and turn off the power.

Remarks

Very similar to The Geek Heat unit. Pretty much a copycat other than the price tag that runs about $40 more.

Click here for VItCSM 3 IN 1 Heater and Humidifier

VItCSM 3 IN 1 Multifunctional Heater Desktop Office Household Night Light Humidifier

  • A powerful and compact personal heater that ensures you don’t get cold in winter. It is portable and easy to use.
  • If the plug is in place for two seconds and warmth will flow out. It’s not only secure to use it, but also extremely energy efficient
  • The slim and attractive design is ideal for your bedside desk, table, or coffee table-no matter where you’ll need it.
  • Ideal for study rooms, reading areas as well as dormitories, work office spaces, home offices, campers, work spaces as well as basements, benches garages etc. 
  • The quiet fan that whispers and soft light at night make it perfect to use all night long to sleep in a peaceful way
  • Product size: Diameter 135mm Height 212mm
  • Area of application: 15M2.
  • Power: 800W
  • Water tank capacity: 400ml

Remarks

This heater and humidifier combo looks more like the traditional oscillating heater.

The product description says near nothing about the humidifier. But the picture shows the water sitting at the top. Which in my guesstimation means it’s a top fill unit which would make it much easier to manage.

The price is set pretty good at around the $60 mark. Which would be about the same amount if you bought these units separate.

Recap

The ideal of a fully functioning heater with humidifier combo appliance is a good one.

Heaters are known for drying out the air in a room.
And one of the primary reasons people use humidifiers is to combat the dry air caused by a heater.

Why not combine them into one?

Unfortunately even though you can currently purchase a heater with humidifier,

The ones available on the market are quite simple.

Modern heaters and humidifiers come with a full load of bells and whistles when you purchase them separate.

But combining them seems to reduce them down to the most basic of both.

And in some cases the price can be as about as much as three times the price of one or the other.

It’s a Great idea.

Just one that hasn’t fully developed into what it could be and hopefully one day will be.

What Smells Deter Cats from Peeing Outside the Litter-Box?

If you’re a pet lover like I am, then you probably have a cat or two running around the house at just about any time.

And if you’ve ever had a cat that doesn’t know how to use the litter box or just refuses, then you know what kind of chaos that causes around the home.

Because of the super strong-smelling proteins in cat urine, which is there to mark their territory,

it makes getting the smell of cat pee out of the carpet or even just the floor surface near impossible. ( near)

And for most items, if they get cat pee on them, they’re pretty much done with.

  Luckily there are some scents that you can use to help deter your cats from peeing on your belongings.

Of course, you want to get to the root issue and hopefully stop the behavior forever,

But in the meantime, here is a small list of smells that cats will deter cats from peeing:

1.  Vinegar

Vinegar is an all-natural cleaner that is not harmful to cats. And it can be used as a deterrent to keep cats from peeing outside of their litter box.
But remember vinegar as a very Stout smell that can overtake your room if you use too much. A white vinegar and water spray solution mixed 3 to 1 water.
You can always add more vinegar but since it’s so strong, starting off small is a better ideal.

2.  Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has a strong menthol smell that cats do not like.  It has a similar smell to Vicks. But be aware that Vicks contains an ingredient called camphor that can be poisonous to cats.

You can use eucalyptus oil in a diffuser which may keep the kitty out of the room or you can put it in an eyedropper and sparingly put a few drops in the area that you’re trying to deter the cat from peeing in.

3.  Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has a very sharp menthol odor that cats will try to avoid. It can be used in essential oil in a diffuser or in an eyedropper. A water spray solution can also work. But be very careful to only use a little at a time because the smell of tea tree oil can overpower a room very quickly.

4.  Peppermint

Peppermint is also another strong menthol smell that cats do not want anything to do with.

Putting peppermint in the area where you’re trying to deter a cat from being is a great way to not only deter your cat but deodorize the area as well.

5.  Coffee beans

Coffee beans or coffee grounds have a smell that cats find offensive.

A small satchel of coffee put in the area where you’re trying to avoid the cat from doing his business can have a great effect at deterring them from doing so.

Coffee is also a nice deodorizer that will not overpower your room or your house as much as say “tea tree oil”.

6. Citrus

The general smell of citrus whether it be in oranges, lemons, or limes, is a big turn-off to cats.

Central oils are very popular essential oil smells as well. You can try diffusing lemon oil in the area that you’re trying to keep the cat from or is a more invasive remedy, use an eye dropper to put a few drops around the area that the cat is prone to.

7.  Lavender

Lavender is a calming scent that cats also find offensive. The combination of calming your cat down and deterring him/her from a specific area may not only deter him from going outside of the litter box but calm him down so that he does not want to as much.

Bodhi 3-in-1 Cat & Kitten Training Aid

Bodhi Three-in-One Cat & Kitten Training Aid with added bitters has been specially designed to teach your kitten or cat to stay clear of the treated areas and discourage the cat from chewing things inside your home, both inside and outside. Stop cats from sitting, wandering around, jumping, scratching, or chewing furniture, carpet floors, wood flooring, or drapes around the house! Spray areas where you want to deter your cat. Reapply the spray at least every twenty-four hours until your cat’s habit has been broken. The rate of application is contingent upon how bad the cat’s behavior is and the frequency with which the cat is in the area. 3 in 1 Cat & Kitten Training packaging is produced with the most sustainable and environmentally friendly methods accessible from the USA. MADE IN THE USA

Harbors Cat Repellent and Trainer – Cat Repellent Spray

Harbor’s Cat Repellent Spray helps train the cat to stay clear of the area or object sprayed. It’s a learning process. The cat will go to the location where the repellent was sprayed and discover that the location is unpleasant, and then go away. It could take several visits before the cat discovers that it doesn’t like the location.

It’s a Learning Process

Harbor’s Cat Repellent Spray acts as an aid for cat training. It comprises three scents that you’ll enjoy, which your feline will be able to avoid. Help your cat avoid being in trouble.

 

To get the best outcome, apply three times every day for seven days and repeat as required. If you try applying the repellent or trainer only one or two times and expect results to be immediate, the result may be disappointing… Additionally, certain materials may require many applications before they build up enough scent to repel cats (non-porous surfaces may take more time).

NaturVet – Off Limits Training Spray


Stop pets from causing damage to outdoor and indoor areas If your pet is chewing furniture or digging up yards and patios Help them stop by spraying them with NaturVet Off Limits pet Training Spray for cats and dogs.

  • HELP prevent pet digging Problems with dog chewing: NaturVet Off Limits pet Training Spray for dogs and cats provides pets with solutions made of herbs that can help reduce the damage to patios, furniture lawns, and gardens.

MINIMIZE the amount of chewing your pet does by using a non-toxic spray: This easy to apply spray for pets is stain-free and non-toxic, so it won’t cause irritation to your pet’s skin or cause staining to furniture. The cat spray for chewing is suitable for use both outdoors and indoors on all surfaces that can be cleaned.

Nature’s Miracle Just for Cat Stain and Odor Remover

  • The Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer for cats is resistant to strong cat urine as well as the sticky, yellow product that goes with it.
  • The formulas based on bacteria produce enzymes when they come in contact with food sources like urine, feces, vomit, and other bio-based wastes. The enzyme cleaner will continue functioning as long the food source is in the vicinity, leaving the area with a fresh, light smell.
  • Always use the maximum power. Don’t dilute.
  • Get rid of stain: Clean off the stain as thoroughly as possible. Then, after you thoroughly wash off your hands of the stain.
  • Odor elimination: Clean any odor-producing materials. Then thoroughly soak the affected areas. The importance of saturation is to make sure that the product can penetrate deep into the source of the smell.



There are many reasons why a cat may not use the litterbox. A few of the more common reasons are:

Scent – Cat’s have sensitive noses and will often refuse to eliminate in an area where another animal has urinated or defecated. If you have other pets, try changing their litterboxes to see if it helps. This is especially true if you have dogs as cats and dogs may get into territorial disputes.

Litter Box – Make sure that your cat can easily access the litterbox by making sure that it is not blocked by anything such as furniture or toys. Also, make sure to keep the litterbox clean and that there is enough litter in it for your cat.

Make Sure That The Litterbox Is Big Enough – If your cat just started using a new box make sure that the box is big enough for them. Some cats won’t use a box that is too small for them because they don’t feel comfortable doing their business in such a confined space.

Location – Try putting the litterbox in different places in your home to see if your cat will use it because of its location. For example, some cats prefer boxes that are more secluded so moving it to a more private spot could help them feel more comfortable using it

Cats are clean animals by nature, and most will learn to use a litterbox if you give them one. The main reasons for litterbox problems are that the cat is uncomfortable with the box location or type of litter, or there is a medical problem.

Best Water for Humidifier-Distilled, Bottle, Boiled or Tap

Best Water for Humidifier? 

Distilled water is the best water to use in a humidifier because:

The use of distilled water helps keep your humidifier in good condition. Because of the process in which distilled water is made, It lacks minerals like calcium and magnesium, as well as sodium that can build up inside your humidifier and make it less effective.

Dry air in the Winter causes an array of issues. The skin breaks, the lips shrink and swell, and your nose becomes congested. The worst part is that these issues result from the air you breathe and are surrounded within your home, your own domain. A humidifier is a device that can help avoid these issues. It can help bring the humidity to a level that is comfortable and much more healthy for the people in your home. However, there are some disadvantages to using a humidity system. Incorrectly using a humidifier can increase maintenance expenses. It can also affect the quality of air in your home. If you want to use your humidifier properly, the first thing you’ll need to be aware of is the kind of water you should be filling it with.

Distilled Water for Humidifier

 

Distilled drinking water is the most suitable kind of water to use in a humidifier. It has been processed to get rid of contaminants like bacteria and minerals. Particles that you do not want in your air or your humidifier.

Think about it…

The bacteria in your water can end up being in the air that you are breathing since it’s going through a humidifier. And Minerals and other particulates can end up damaging your unit and reducing the life of your humidifier.

Distilled water is produced when boiling water evaporates into steam and then cools.  The process causes the impurities in the water to be left behind as it turns into condensation. The condensation is collected and bottled as “distilled water”

Mold Prevention. Mold growing in a humidifier is one the biggest problems people face when using one. Distilled water is less likely to have mold spores present in it. Which will help keep mold and bacteria from taking root as quickly in the humidifier.

Less Dusty Humidifier dust is caused by the minerals that are in tap water and drinking water.  Because distilled water is treated to eliminate the minerals, it will help keep the problem of “humidifier dust” to a minimum.

Tap water in a humidifier?

 

Tap water for humidifiers is not advised. Tap water is typically a source of solids and minerals that could harm your humidifier. Tap water can result in calcium deposits developing inside of your humidifier.

Utilizing tap water for your humidifier can cause also lower the quality of your ambient air. It is is loaded with chemicals like fluoride that when moved through a humidifier become part of the air you breathe.

Also the white “humidifier dust” that appears on the surfaces around the humidifier can be kicked up into the air. Which will not only inhibit your breathing, will dry out your skin. One of the very things that you wanted a humidifier for in the first place. 

 In order for mold to grow, it requires three different ingredients; water, low light, and a food source. 

 Tap water is loaded with minerals that can be considered the food source for mold to grow.

Though It is recommended to clean or replace the humidifier’s filter frequently and also clean the inside of any mineral build-up, using tap water will increase the frequency of replacing filters and increase your cleaning schedule..

Demineralization cartridges are available on many humidifiers and can be bought separately if you decide that using tap water is worth the risk.

Leemone Humidifier Cleaner 12 Pack ，Demineralization Cleaning Ball

Click here for Leemone Humidifier Demineralization cartridges

bottled water for humidifierBottled Water in a Humidifier?

 Using bottled water in a humidifier is only slightly better than using tap water. It is filtered but not to the point that it is free of the minerals that can cause deposits in your humidifier. 

 A lot of bottled drinking water that you find on the shelf is natural spring water or at least that’s supposed to be the origin. 

 Natural spring water naturally has a lot of minerals and solids that will end up making your humidifier less effective.

If you read the label good on most bottled water, you will see that it says that minerals have been put back into the water for consumption. 

 But not to the point or the quantity that you will get from just putting plain tap water into your humidifier. So even though bottled water may not be the best water for a humidifier, it is a step up from tap water.

Should I use filtered water in my humidifier?

 Using filtered water in a humidifier is better than using water straight out of the tap. But even filtered water is not 100% pure of minerals and other solids that can end up doing damage to your humidifier. 

 And water filters are not able to get rid of all the fluoride and chlorine that is in tap water. 

 Though it is better than using tap water, filtered water still has much of the mineralization and propensity to develop mold and bacteria.

Should I boil the water I use in my humidifier?

 Boiling water is a do it yourself technique for humidifying your home without the use of a humidifier. When water is boiled it turns into steam and evaporates.

 Boiling water also kills any microorganisms in the water. 

But, the pot that you boil the water in is full of deposits and minerals left behind from the tap water. 

 If you pour the water directly out of the pot into the humidifier, much of the deposits that have been boiled out of the water will get back into the water.

 The very thing you’re trying to avoid.

Much is made about how vaporizers and warm mist humidifiers are not as likely to develop mold and bacteria in them because the water is brought to a boiling point that kills the organisms. 

  But you have to remember that minerals and deposits are left behind when you boil water. 

 Even in the case of vaporizers, distilled water is going to be the best water to use in your warm mist humidifier.

Caution:  And remember that the humidifier is made out of plastic. Pouring boiling water into it, is going to melt it. Let it cool first if you decide to do it this way.

Should I put hot or cold water in my humidifier?

 Humidifiers do not need to have the water brought to any certain temperature before pouring it into the basin. 

 Normal room temperature is adequate. 

Some might get the idea of that because a vaporizer uses steam to humidify, that you have to put boiling water in it for it to work. 

 Not so. The humidifier is built to warm the water on its own and does not require you to do anything besides fill it with room temperature distilled water. 

  But by the same token, if you pour cold drinking water out of the refrigerator into a vaporizer, it’s going to take that much longer to work because it takes longer for cold water to get to a boiling point. 

So just stick with room temperature.

  And excessive cold or hot temperatures are not good for plastic and will eventually cause plastic to crack.

Recap

Distilled water is the best water to use in a humidifier because it goes through a process that eliminates the most minerals and microorganisms that can damage your humidifier and get into the air you breathe when you put them through a humidifier. 

 It also is the best water to avoid the white dust that builds up around humidifiers. 

 Bottle drinking water is a little better than using straight tap water in a humidifier but it’s still contains a great deal of the minerals that can cause a humidifier to scale up and be less effective.

 And it is the minerals in the water that eventually become the white dust that you see settling around a humidifier.

 Boiled water does have the advantage of killing the spores and bacteria that can be in your average tap water, but when you boil water, the mineral deposit settle at the bottom. 

 If you pour that water into a humidifier, you still have the problem of the mineral deposits getting into the humidifier. 

Lastly, tap water is easily the worst water you can use in a humidifier. 

 It is full of minerals and chemical treatments that will not only eventually damage your humidifier, will become part of the air you breathe when you use the water to humidify the air. 

 Tap water also becomes moldier faster and leaves the white dust that you were trying to avoid around your humidifier faster.

How Long Does it Take for a Humidifier to Work?

You should start to feel the effects of a humidifier working in as little as 2-3 hours depending whether your trying to moisten your nasal cavities or increase the humidity in a large living room.
In other words, the time it takes for a humidifier to create a dramatic difference in the humidity in the air is dependent on a number of variables.

This is why trying to establish a set time limit for how long it takes humidifiers to function can be to general of a question..

How Long Does it Take for a Humidifier to WorkThink about it,
What is the output capacity of the mist of the humidifier? What speed is it operating at?

A humidifiers ‘ capacity is rated within a specific area.
These parameters are different from one model to the next, and, consequently, the amount of time needed to have a significant impact on your home depends on the model itself.
 Certain humidifiers can make the air more humid within a couple of hours. But then again, others may require a longer time to reach the same results.

What does a humidifier actually do?

 

Humidifiers boost the relative humidity in the air by adding moisture. The moisture is created by releasing mist into the air, thus increasing the number of droplets of water, which is the primary determinant of relative humidity.

Humidifiers have been evaluated by various experts and individuals worldwide and have shown to be effective. Despite some red lighting by so-called experts, sitting in a room with the humidifier eliminates any doubts. We’ve done it, and you can try it, too.

“How effective a humidifier is will depend on the humidifier’s capacity and the dimensions of the area.”

or the efficiency of a humidifier will depend on the room’s size and the humidifier’s capacity.

 It is essential to choose the correct humidifier for its capacity; otherwise, you may end up over-humidifying your space or not producing enough humidity to make a difference.

“If the room is adequately sized and placed with a humidifier that is specified for that that room, a humidifier will raise the relative humidity in only a few hours.”

The humidifier’s capacity will be specified by the manufacturer in the description of the product.

Two things to look for are:
 The amount of mist produced per hour and the rated area measured in square feet.

Most of the time, the larger the room size the humidifier is rated for, the greater its mist output per hour it will be.

What is a humidifier? Function?

A humidifier is based on artificially creating water vapor in the air, thereby increasing the amount of moisture that is in it.

In the beginning, humidification demanded that you boil water or just let it sit around until it evaporates. But that method was uncontrollable. And hard to measure.

That led to the development of the humidifier.

Humidifiers convert water into tiny drops and push it into the air to boost the relative humidity. This process is contingent on the kind of humidifier.

Some humidifiers evaporate water employing a fan blowing over a wick filter. Others heat the water until evaporation is achieved.  And another breaks the water by using ultrasonic vibrations, which produces a mist, which is then used to increase humidity.

humidity static electricity

How do you know a humidifier is working?

1.The most effective way to determine whether a humidifier is functioning is to check its effect on the relative humidity of the air using a hygrometer.

 2.Though not as scientific, You should notice a few tale tale signs like your nasal cavities feeling better, or your hair doesn’t seem as frizzy, Or your not getting a jolt of static electricity when you touch someone or something metal. That’s only a few, humidifiers have a large list of benefits.

Certain humidifiers have an integrated hygrometer, which allows you to monitor humidity quickly while others don’t.

But beware that the hygrometers found in most humidifiers can be inaccurate. We recommend that you purchase an external device capable of accurately measuring the relative humidity.

TYPES OF HUMIDIFIERS

Humidifiers come in all shapes and models, but there are a few general types:

1. Warm mist humidifier:

These are the most common type of humidifier and they have been around for many years now. They are used in homes and in offices around the country to help people get relief from dry air. These machines create warm mist (or steam) from water or other liquids that you fill them with. Some of the machines can be quite noisy, however, so it may be a good idea to check out some customer reviews before you make your final decision on which one to buy.

2. Ultrasonic humidifier:

These are becoming more popular every year and for good reason! They provide a cool mist as opposed to the warm steam that comes from warm mist humidifiers. Ultrasonic humidifiers also use a smaller amount of water than warm mist models do, so you will need to refill your unit more often.

3. Evaporative or Cool Mist humidifier:

This is another style of humidifier that is growing in popularity each year. These units use a fan to blow air across a wet wick. This style of unit works very well at helping reduce allergens in the air and helps provide relief when you have allergies.

How Long Does It take for a humidifier to work?

 

You should expect to feel the effects of a humidifier working within a few of hours. But there are a few contingencies like for instance; how close are you to the humidifier, what size is the room you are humidifying, what types of items are in the room, and how dry it is to begin with.

Rooms with a large size typically take longer to get humidified, but this can be prevented with a more powerful humidifier.

Rooms with various moisture-absorbing surfaces, such as wood and furniture, can also hinder humidity because the surfaces absorb the moisture generated from the humidifier, thus diminishing the impact of its humidity.

After a time, the surfaces are brought back to normal, and humidification is much quicker.

Its ability to hold a certain amount of humidity can be one of the most important aspects to consider when determining the amount of time needed to make a room more humid.

Using a large or evenly matched humidifier. Typically results in the smaller amount of time required. A larger humidifier will work faster to humidify  a smaller area.

Can you humidify a room too much?

Yes, it is possible to humidify an area too much. If you let a humidifier continue running even when the room has been well-humidified,  increasing the amount of moisture after it reaches the safe limit of 60 percent will create what is referred to as over-humidification.

With a sprinkle of negligence and some inattention, you can over-humidify your space. However, it isn’t advised, as it can expose you to harmful microorganisms.

Wrap up

It is crucial to purchase a high-quality humidifier, and one that’s rated to your room’s specific dimensions.
We suggest you buy one which is just a bit larger than the room’s size. Thus, any overstatements by the manufacturer will not affect your purchase. It’s better to adjust a larger, more powerful humidifier instead of operating a humidifier that will not complete the task.