Humidifiers have been proven to reduce the spread of illness, and are key to finding relief in dry climates and during times of illness. But to work effectively without causing damage, these appliances have to be placed in the right location.
When it comes to where to put a humidifier, the best place is on an elevated surface away from electronics and near the center of the room. However, this advice can change depending on the type and size of the room in question and the type of humidifier being used.
To assure you’re placing your humidifier in the optimal location, keep reading.
Below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the technical and “comfort” considerations of placing these appliances. Once you understand these, you should have no problem finding the best placement for your new humidifier.
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Technical Considerations
A humidifier needs adequate airflow to work efficiently. It also needs to be high enough for moisture to dissipate before hitting the floor. Another thing to consider is the type of surface you place the unit in order to avoid damage.
Surface
It should go without saying that the surface you place your humidifier on should not be overly sensitive to moisture. Even if your unit never leaks, water will find its way onto that surface during normal use.
Coated metal or plastic tables are a great place to set your humidifier, as are kitchen and bathroom countertops. If your only choice is a wooden dresser or something similar, then be sure to place a rubber pad or towel below the unit to protect the wood as much as possible.
You also want to be sure to place the unit on a surface away from electronics and other items that are sensitive to moisture. In addition to mist causing problems with electronics, the mineral dust produced by some humidifiers can also cause serious issues.
Note: Whether you have electronics nearby or not, you can avoid this white powder residue by using the right type of water for your humidifier.
Height
All humidifiers pump moisture up into the air to help distribute it through the room. But this moist air is heavier than the drier air around it, which means it quickly falls back toward the floor.
To assure your humidifier helps add humidity to the air and not moisture to your carpet, you’ll want to place the unit on an elevated surface. Standard countertop height is usually enough to avoid puddling on the floor below. Higher is okay too, just be sure the stream of mist is not hitting the ceiling as it leaves the unit.
Note: Most personal humidifiers are meant to be placed on an elevated surface. Larger freestanding units are tall enough to sit directly on the floor.
Air Flow
Just as with a dehumidifier, a humidifier needs plenty of airflow to work effectively.
The more space surrounding your unit, the faster the moisture will dissipate through the room. And, the less chance that moisture will fall to the floor and create condensate.
Generally, you’ll want to place your humidifier at least a foot away from any walls and avoid backing it into corners. Optimally, the unit would be placed on a table near the center of the room to allow for unrestricted airflow on all sides.
Comfort Considerations
The above considerations will assure your unit is functioning efficiently while avoiding undue damages. But to get the most out of your unit and assure it is working effectively to keep you comfortable, you also need to consider the size of the humidifier, the size of the room, and the type of room you’ll be using it in.
Size Rating of Unit
For optimal performance, you should select a humidifier tailored to the size of the room you’ll be using it in. As long as you do this, placing the unit on an elevated surface near the center of the room will be the best placement for it.
But, if your unit is a little smaller than what the room calls for, you’re better off placing it near the area of the room where people spend the most time. For living rooms and dining rooms, this is going to be somewhere near the sitting area. For bedrooms, you’ll want it next to the head of the bed.
Some types of humidifiers are better suited for placing near you than others due to the amount of sound they give off. To learn more about these different types, check out the video below.
Size of Room
For extra-large rooms, this same logic applies, even if your humidifier is well-rated for the size of the space. By placing the unit closer to the areas where you spend the most time, you’ll see the quickest return in terms of dry air relief.
You may even find that using two units placed on each side of the seating area is more effective than one large unit placed off to the side.
For small rooms, especially those blocked off from the rest of the house, it is still important to place the humidifier closer to where you’ll be spending time. This is because these rooms tend to have less airflow and therefore the humidity takes longer to move from one end to the other.
Type of Room
The last thing to consider is the type of room.
As we mentioned above, humidifiers in bedrooms are best placed near the headboard of the bed. One of our favorite humidifiers for use in this situation is the Okaysou Aqua Q6. In living rooms and family rooms, your humidifier should be placed near the sitting area but opposite any areas of electronics.
Placing humidifiers in kitchens, game rooms, and other rooms where people tend to move around a lot is trickier. Your best bet in these spaces is to purchase the right-sized humidifier for the space and put it near the center of the room.
The Bottom Line on Placing a Humidifier
By placing your humidifier on a water-resistant surface that’s elevated and has good airflow, you can be sure your humidifier will work efficiently without causing damage. But finding the optimal placement for a humidifier requires further considerations, including the size rating of the unit, the size of the room, and how the room is used.
If you’re in the market for a small humidifier for the bedroom, remember to check out the Okaysou Aqua Q6. This personal humidifier is quiet, easy to use, and is perfectly sized for placement on a nightstand or dresser.
Still have questions about where to put your new humidifier? Comment below and we’ll help you find the answers!
