Question about allergies/humidifiers/air cleaners?

Hi,

Does anyone know anything about running an air humidifier without water just as an air filter? I get allergies really bad in the spring, which is just around the corner, and found a couple of air filters and a humidifier at a local thrift store. The air filters are really small but the humidifier is huge. I don't really want to run the humidifier with water in it since my house has poor ventilation and is prone to mold, but I was thinking maybe I could run the humidifier without water just as an air filter. It wouldn't be hepa quality or anything, but anything would help, IMO. The question is, is this possible? I know nothing about air humidifiers so I have no idea.

I think the humidifier is like the one attached, it's a Kenmore model 758.

Thanks a bunch for any help.

 

First, most humidifiers have a float switch that automatically turns them off when out of water.

Even if you override the float switch, I doubt it will do any good for allergy relief. Unless the unit is marked "HEPA", it will likely be no more effective than a cheap fiberglass furnace filter.

If you have forced air heat/AC, upgrade to high quality pleated furnace filters. Although more expensive ($5 - $20/each), they filter much smaller particles and usually only have to be changed every 90 days.

Portable HEPA filters ($100 - $250) will clean the air in a medium size room - best for use in a bedroom. Be warned, though: The replacement filters often cost 50% or more of the price of the unit itself.

Aside from this, Sam's Club has the best prices on generic OTC allergy meds like Claritan. With the level of pollen in Houston, this saves me about $20/month.

Hope this helps.

 

As far as I'm aware, most Humidifiers run in a similar form to a kettle, I don't think running it "Dry" would do it much good, could even be dangerous. Be kind of the same principle as running a kettle dry, something will burn out.
Although I could be wrong, this knowledge is based on older technology.

 

What gman said. Humidifiers are not meant to be used as air filters, and pretty much all of them manufactured after about 1985 have an automatic shut-off when they run out of water. You can pick up some decent, relatively cheap air purifiers at Target (or similar stores) that will do you a lot more good. They may not be HEPA, but they'll help. And since you say your house is prone to mold, what you really need is a DEhumidifier. Those can be pretty inexpensive, too, if you don't mind emptying out the reservoir fairly often.

The other thing, for allergies (all of this comes from my allergist, as I am allergic to EVERYTHING): invest in some anti-allergy mattress covers and pillow cases. Wash your sheets twice a week. Don't sleep with your windows open or have a fan blowing on you while you sleep. Make sure you vacuum your carpets and sweep hard floors at least twice a week.

And definitely stock up on OTC allergy meds. If you don't want to pay for a membership to Sam's Club, the Walgreen's brand of allergy pills is identical to the name brand, and a lot cheaper. I use Zyrtec, and get the Walgreen's brand (Wal-Zyr, I think) for $42.99 for 300 pills. Smaller quantities are of course more per pill, but I take one every single day of the year. I've noticed the Rite-Aid brand is not the same as the name brand, and often doesn't work as well.

 

If you have allergies, you could have mold affecting you.

Ventilation or a Dehumidifier would work best.