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Wood burning stoves give off dry heat, which robs the air in your home of much needed moisture. Dry air in the home causes respiratory irritation and dry skin. Prolonged dry air results in wood furniture and flooring shrinking and cracking. A wood stove humidifier replaces the moisture lost during the burning process. Wood stove humidifier products are available in several forms.
Tea kettle wood stove humidifiers are the most common products on the market. These kettles are filled with water and placed directly on the stovetop. Hot water from the stove humidifies the room. Kettles are available in sizes from one to four quarts water capacity. Home owners with a country or rustic décor like these humidifiers as an accent piece as well as humidifying product.
Tea kettle humidifying products are the simplest in terms of installing and maintenance. There are no replacement filters or motors to worry about. There are some risks associated with the use of these products. It can be difficult to monitor and maintain the level of humidity in your room with a kettle. Console humidifiers often have a built in humidistat to keep track of the humidity in the room. You will need a separate humidistat with a wood burning kettle.
Cleaning wood stove humidifiers
It’s important to maintain a humidity level between thirty and fifty percent. Mold and mildew thrive in high humidity levels and can breed in levels above fifty percent humidity. Condensation on your windows is a sign the house is too humid. In the most extreme cases, mold spores could settle in your home and begin to grow. Once mold starts growing in your home, it can become toxic. People with mold allergies and respiratory problems are most susceptible to illness caused by humidifiers.
Standing water is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. To prevent spreading bacteria through the air in your home, you will need to empty the kettle and clean it between each use. You should fill the kettle with hot water just before using and empty it immediately after use. Doing this will help prevent health risks associated with use of a wood stove humidifier.
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