Whole house unit is the way to go.
Room humidifiers are better than nothin
https://www.consumerreports.or...he-year-a1138350061/

HRH, consider a whole house steam model.

Water hardness will dictate the longevity. All of them require maintenance obviously.

quote:

All of them require maintenance obviously.

At work I'm currently battling our three steam models and our evap ones. I've spent probably 12 hours fixing them this week instead of doing something productive.

I live five miles from work, home good city water, work same county/water service. Nasty hard water at work leaves white residue anywhere it goes. We installed a massive water softener system, but I'm unsure how much it does. I took a shower there and it took twice as long to wash off soap as home. It's amazing the difference between two sources of "good" city water.

I do imagine water hardness can really play a role for some no matter what kinds of systems they use. Luckily with wick type, then whole house I've never experienced any of those concerns.

quote:

Originally posted by hvactech:
All of them require maintenance obviously.

Small sample size (excluding my industrial use ones) I installed my one at home almost a decade ago. I replaced one water panel holder thing (I dropped it and broke it); one solenoid valve; and the included saddle valve that I used because it was fast/easy/free. Replaced with 1/4 turn which should be problem free, I knew better, but I was being lazy.

Plus the aforementioned yearly water media replacement at +/+$20.

Klaus says it's about getting your mind right.

Anybody forgets to clean the humidifier,
Spends a night in the box.