We Asked Home Pros Where You Should Put Your Humidifier in Winter, and We’ve Been Doing It Wrong

If your home’s dry air is starting to take a toll, a good humidifier can turn things around pretty quickly. But during the coldest season, you might be wondering where the best spot is for your humidifier in winter, and if you should be using one at all.

To understand the dos and don’ts of winter humidifier use and the best position for your handy appliance, we spoke with an expert for the best advice. Here’s what they had to say about where to place your humidifier, plus a few tips on getting the settings just right.

Where to Put a Humidifier in Winter

As a general rule of thumb, home expert Aaron Lipman says to keep it away from vents and at least three feet from your bed.

“The airflow from vents can disrupt the mist and reduce its effectiveness,” he says, and having it too close to your bed can lead to “over-exposure to moisture, which could irritate breathing during sleep.”

The goal of running a humidifier is balancing the ideal conditions for your home with the ideal conditions for feeling comfortable yourself, so it depends on what room you’d like it in.

Asif Bux, owner of Comfort Union HVAC service company, adds that you should also keep portable humidifiers away from windows, since the humidity can condense on cold surfaces or get blown away unevenly by airflow.

If you have wooden floors or antique wooden furniture, a humidifier can help with shrinkage and cracking that gets exacerbated by dry air, but Lipman says you’ll want to have a tray or waterproof mat beneath it. This will stop any warping and keep spills or condensation from causing other forms of damage.

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What Humidifier Settings Should You Use?

The ideal percentage range for a humidifier in winter is between 30% and 50%. Much of it will depend on the climate where you live, the kind of home or apartment you have, and what your needs are.

Lower than this and you might damage wood features and structures like beams and harm drywall, Lipman says. Bux also adds that you’ll be more likely to notice the dry air and there will be more static electricity, too.

A higher percentage can lead to mold and mildew. Both experts recommend having a hygrometer to help you keep an eye on levels. A built-in humidifier, however, is capable of managing humidity levels on its own.

Should You Run a Humidifier During Winter?

Yes, a humidifier can be a super useful tool to make your home (and sinuses) more comfortable and keep the interiors damage-free during winter.

“Running a humidifier can alleviate these issues and make your home feel warmer, even at slightly lower temperatures—helping you save on energy bills,” says Bux.

Lipman agrees that a humidifier is extremely helpful, but notes that it should be approached with caution, too.

“Over-humidification can cause condensation on windows, seepage into walls, and invite mold growth,” he says.

Keeping a watchful eye and ensuring you have the right settings is key for a seamless experience.

Other Tips for Running Your Humidifier

Now that you’re aware of the best settings and placement for your humidifier, here are a few other pointers for keeping your humidifier running smoothly and boosting your air quality throughout winter:

• Think about the room. If you’re shopping for a new humidifier, think about the size of the room it’ll be in as you’ll want to buy a humidifier with the right capacity.
• Clean it regularly. Lipman notes it’s important to regularly clean your humidifier to cut down on bacteria buildup. Aim to do so every week.
• Maintain cleanliness. Bux says you should use distilled or filtered water in portable humidifiers “to reduce mineral buildup and white dust.”
• Consider other air gadgets. Think about getting an air purifier for your home to work in tandem with a humidifier; these can clear out bacteria, viruses, mold, and dust, which often feel more prevalent during winter.
• Anticipate maintenance on whole-house humidifiers. If you have a whole-home humidifier, Bux recommends scheduling in annual maintenance with your technician to ensure everything is working properly. It’s best to do so before the times of year when you’ll need it most.