Running a humidifier without water?

Hi,

This isn't really cpap-specific but more about allergies, so sorry if it's off topic. I just figured you guys might know a lot about humidifiers and the like.

I have a question about running a 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 it with water 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 one like this, it's a Kenmore model 758-


Thanks a bunch for any help.

Hi, willow. I have bad allergies including specifically to mold as well. I would think you might be getting more troubles than help with a used humidifier. Mold spores would be a likely risk with a used unit.
As to whether or not you can run the unit without water, if there is a pump in it, there should be a switch to cut out the pump when low or out of water. If it's a simple fan that forces air past the wick, it should run without water.
I'd suggest if you can get an inexpensive air filter at a big-box store like Wal- or K-Mart, that will probably serve you better, IMO. Oh, if you do use xPAP, change the filters frequently

What you need is a Hepa air cleaner / filtration unit designed to clean the air, not an old and probably mouldy humidifier.

Will not work. Don't waste your time. If it has a washable filter, it won't pull out any of the small particles that cause breathing difficulties. And the pad is for evaporating water, not filtering.

A cheap dust filter would be a box fan and a furnace filter--both new.
Even if it won't work, you have an air circulator.
For heavy duty filtration, you need a good air filter--HEPA, if possible.
Be ready to pay through the schnozz for the filters--there are no washable HEPA or even near HEPA that I know of.
(Please correct me--I really want to be wrong this time!)
Air filter prices get me steamed up.

Buy yourself a used cpap from Craigslist. Or maybe you have a friend who isn't using one. Sleep with it at nite on 8 to 10cm. Mine filters out lots of bad stuff for me. When I feel bad during the day I just lay down with mine for 10-20 min.

Don't even have to sleep just clean out my sinuses. It makes a diff for me.

HTH

willowj wrote:Hi,

This isn't really cpap-specific but more about allergies, so sorry if it's off topic. I just figured you guys might know a lot about humidifiers and the like.

I have a question about running a 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 it with water 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 one like this, it's a Kenmore model 758-


Thanks a bunch for any help.

chunkyfrog wrote:A cheap dust filter would be a box fan and a furnace filter--both new.
Even if it won't work, you have an air circulator.
For heavy duty filtration, you need a good air filter--HEPA, if possible.
Be ready to pay through the schnozz for the filters--there are no washable HEPA or even near HEPA that I know of.
(Please correct me--I really want to be wrong this time!)
Air filter prices get me steamed up.

Ok, I see now from looking at the humidifier filters a little closer- they're for filtering the water in the humidifier, not the air. That was one of the things that was tempting me towards getting the humidifier was that there was a big box of filters that came with it. Shucks! That's a good idea about the fan and the furnace filter, thanks.

Thanks to everyone for all the replies!

chunkyfrog wrote:A cheap dust filter would be a box fan and a furnace filter--both new.

Actually, that qualifies as an "air purifier".

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH5APw_ ... e=youtu.be

My wife has occasional allergies and uses the surgical masks that you can buy at Walgreens or any of the major drug stores. Some of the HEPA filter units can be costly as well as their replacement filters, so the mask can be a not as convenient but cheap alternative.

Hi--yes this isn't really cpap-specific but more about allergies, and it is off topic for this forum. Maybe you want to talk to your doctor or do a google serch on WEB MD.
C