A Helpful Guide on Operating and Maintaining a Slant Fin Humidifier
December 3rd, 2009
Slant Fin Humidifier
The slant fin humidifier is a specific type of ultraviolet humidifier that use a ground-breaking process to produce a mist that’s virtually 100% germ-free.
The end result of combining boiling water with the germicidal power of ultraviolet light is a warm mist that contains no bacteria, spores or mold.
According to studies done in laboratories, this type of humidification is much healthier for people who suffer from allergies and asthma.
This is simply because many standard humidifiers provide a welcoming environment for different types of bacteria and molds that like to grow in the unit’s water tank.
Most models of slant fin humidifiers also have a slot in order to put respiratory medications so that the unit will force out a therapeutic mist.
Keeping the air within your home full of moisture is important during the winter months when we spend most of our time inside. Heat causes the air to dry out and as a result, the level of humidity in the air dips to a very low level. When this happens, your nose, throat and skin will dry out causing redness, itchiness and overall discomfort. Sidestep these annoying symptoms by using a slant fin humidifier to increase the level of moisture in the air to a more comfortable level.
The slant fin humidifier is best suited for people looking for help with:
- Excessive allergy symptoms during winters.
- Asthma.
- Indoor air quality during the winters.
- Sensitive skin breaking out due to the exposure to dry heat.
- A healthy home environment.
On top of causing many types of discomfort, hot air also dries out the wood inside the walls and floors of houses as well as office buildings. When wood becomes dry, it begins to shrink in size. This will cause cracks in the floors as well as in drywall and the plaster that is attached to. When wood gets cracked from being dried out, more often than not, it tends to become home to spores and mold. This is where a slant fin humidifier comes in handy as it would “kill two birds with one stone” by preventing damage to property as well as keeping the air clean from bacteria and viruses.
Slant fin humidifiers can service up to approximately 400 square feet and the UV bulb that is included with the unit typically lasts for approximately 2000 hours of use. What this means is that you will be able to get the maximum value for your investment. Included with each and every slant fin humidifier is a mineral absorption pad which is used to help reduce the amount of mineral dust in the air for households that have hard water.
The mineral absorption pad helps to decrease the amount of “white dust” which is responsible for agitating the symptoms of many allergy sufferers. If you have a large home with several rooms, you may want to consider integrating the unit with your furnace in order to provide whole-house humidification.
Now that you have a better understanding of exactly what a slant fin humidifier is, let me provide some general information on to operate and take proper care of the unit. After all, you want to make sure that you are doing everything that you can to prolong the life of the unit.
First, place the base of the slant fin humidifier on a firm, flat, level surface that is water resistant. Next, fill the water tanks and simply plug the power cord firmly into the outlet on the wall. Next, turn the power switch to either the LO or HI position. Then, turn the relative humidity knob clockwise until you hear a faint click and the power light comes on.
Keep in mind that it will take a few minutes for the slant fin humidifier to warm up and begin the misting process. The water tanks will be empty approximately after 36 hours of running time and when the unit recognizes that the tanks are empty, the “refill when lit” lamp will power on and the unit will stop heating. A slant fin humidifier will operate as long as there is water in either one of the tanks.
One of the major parts of a slant fin humidifier is the mineral absorption pad that is included with the unit. The mineral absorption pad captures and removes minerals from the hot water reservoir while preventing a stubborn mineral buildup. It is possible to run the unit without pads, but you will need to clean the unit more frequently that if it has a pad.
Before you start the slant fin humidifier, place the mineral absorption pad into the hot water reservoir. Remember that after the humidifier has been operating for awhile, the water will become rather hot. Rather than burning yourself, it is best to wait and allow the water in the humidifier to cool down before attempting to handle the pad. If you can’t wait, use tongs or long tweezers to prevent any potential burns.
Ultimately, the life of the mineral absorption pad will vary depending on the quality of the water that is being used in the slant fin humidifier. If the water used has a moderate mineral content, the pad should be changed after approximately three weeks of continuous use. On the other hand, if the water used is “hard water”, the pad should be changed more frequently.
How do you know when it is time to change the mineral absorption pad in your slant fin humidifier? Well, after the water in the unit has cooled down, examine the pad to see if it is still soft and pliable. When the pad is near the end of its life, it will become stiff and hard and should be replaced with a new pad. Another great way to tell when you should replace the pad is if there is a buildup of scale on the interior of the hot water reservoir.
If you take good care of your slant fin humidifier, it will provide you with many health benefits that you can take advantage of in order to not only feel better but to also protect the structure of your home.
