Humidifier season is fast approaching. If your skin feels tight and you have a scratch in your throat, it might be time for a humidifier. Your skin and sinuses are very sensitive to dry air, especially in fall and winter. 

A humidifier is an easy way to help, and it is an effective and affordable home heating solution. 

Many people neglect the thought of humidity when the season turns cold. However, the fact is, the amount of moisture in the air is just as important to your comfort in the winter as it is in the summer.

Using a humidifier during the colder months of the year is smart way to regulate your home’s temperature, and it’s a great way to promote improved health for you, your family, animals and plants. 

One of the best benefits that a whole house humidifier has over a portable humidifier is that a whole house humidifier requires very little maintenance. 

But there is one maintenance task that needs to be performed in order to ensure that your unit works effectively and efficiently: changing the humidifier pad. 

What is a humidifier pad (also known as a water panel)? 

It is a pad that picks up moisture in order to increase indoor humidity levels during the heating season. When humidity level are low in your home, water is applied to the humidifier pad and a portion of your home’s air is blown over it. 

The air picks up the moisture from the humidifier pad and is delivered throughout your home.

Humidifier water panels should be replaced at least once per year and sometimes more than once per year, depending on how much the humidifier runs and the mineral content, or hardness, of the water in your area.

Here is a video by Acclaimed! Heating, Cooling and Furnace Cleaning explaining how to change the humidifier pad.  

In your home and when you sleep you can adjust the level of indoor humidity to assure yourself of better health and comfort. 

The website LIvingDirect.com lists 7 reasons why you should use a humidifier in the winter. The well-written article lists reasons that include sinus congestion, better skin, helps plans and helps stop snoring (sign me up). 

Sinus congestion - The story says if you wake on a colder morning feeling like you’re fighting off a cold, it can very likely be from sleeping in dried-out air. When your throat and nasal passages become dried out, your body has a much tougher time fending off viruses and bacteria.

Better Skin - Dry air and cold weather can hurt your skin -  from chapped lips to dry, cracking knuckles, all problems can be made worse with a lack of moisture.

Plants - If you won't run a humidifier for yourself, do it for your pants. Yes, plants need water and sunlight, but plants utilize moisture from the air as well. Wen their is insufficient humidity, unfortunately many plants will feel the effects, the article states. 

Snoring - The writer says having humidity in the air is a good way to fight snoring problems. For chronic snorers (cough, cough, me), adding moisture to the bedroom during sleeping hours may keep sinuses and nasal passages moistened to fight of the effects of snoring. 

Okay, based on that last reason, my wife is ready to sign us for a humidifier. 

So there are good reasons to get a humidifier. What if you already have one. It is time to get it ready. Start with changing the humidifier pad. 

McCombs Supply has several water pads to help keep your humidifier running effectively including the A35 for Aprilaire 560, 600, 700 and 760 water filter panel humidifier pad. It measures 13 inches long and 10 inches wide and 1 5/8 thick. It sells for $5.81.

The A10 for Aprilaire 110, 220, 500 and 550 water panel filter humidifier pad measures 10 1/2 inches long, 91/2 inches wide and 1 1/2 thick.
It costs $3.99. 

In addition, the OEM GeneralAire 990-13 Evaporator Pad Media Filter for 709, 990, 1040, 1042, 1137 and SL16 measures 12 inches high, 9 3/4 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches. 

The ideal humidity level is between 40-60%. It sells for $10.05.

The website allergyandair.com has a story how to clean a portable humidifier that lists 5 steps in the process. 

Step 1:

With your humidifier unplugged from the wall, remove and empty out the water tank. If your particular unit includes an air filter, be sure to remove it as well. Filters can be cleaned using cool running water and then left to air dry.

Step 2:

Pour enough white vinegar into the base that it fills all of the areas which water regularly comes into contact with, and place any smaller washable parts into a large container of vinegar to soak. Let everything sit for at least 30 minutes. 

Step 3:

Using a mixture of 1 teaspoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water, fill the tank at least halfway and swirl the solution around so that the entire inside is coated. You can also substitute 3% hydrogen peroxide for bleach if you prefer.

Step 4:

Use water and thoroughly rinse base, tank and all other components, shaking everything well to dislodge any trapped moisture. Air dry all the parts.

Step 5:

Once all parts have dried completely, reassemble and resume use of your appliance. Don’t forget to replace the unit’s air filter or humidifier pad where applicable. 

Note: The most important reason why you should keep your humidifier clean is because risk spreading potentially harmful bacteria and mold into the air by not cleaning. Without proper disinfection and cleaning, the water in your humidifier will just sit there and stagnate.

About Us

McCombs Supply Company, Inc.

In business since 1953,McCombs Supply Co., Inc. is a third-generation family-owned business that specializes in low prices and fast, reliable shipping.
Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, McCombs Supply Co., Inc. offers replacement repair parts for dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, range-ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, HVAC, commercial refrigeration, commercial cooking, pellet stove parts and more. Some of our manufacturers we distribute for include – Backer-Chromolox, Broan-Nutone, Exact Replacement Parts (ERP), EZ Flo, Fasco, Mastercool, ICM, JW Harris, Packard, Robertshaw, Sealed Unit Parts Company (SUPCO), White Rodgers, Englander, Breckwell, Harman, Lennox, Napoleon, St. Croix and Quadra-Fire.

We supply contractors, service technicians, housing developments, hospitals, retirement communities, institutions, and do-it-yourselfers.

Today, we have nearly one million SKUs in our system. We are constantly upgrading our cutting-edge technology to serve our customers better.

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