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OK, I have had this humidifier for about two months now. Make sure you are aware of the requirements of a filter-free humidifier before you buy one. First of all, I couldn't stand having a filtered humidifier. Constantly having to buy filters, they'd be out of stock at Target, unavailable for my brand at the supermarket, just too annoying, and honestly, they're several bucks every time. Why can't I just clean my own humidifier?
So here's the thing. If you opt to go filter free, read the documentation. I think a lot of the negative reviewers here aren't following the instructions... you have to clean your humidifier ONCE A WEEK. Some people are reporting, 'I have had my humidifier for a month and it's starting to stink.' Well, have you cleaned it four times since you've had it?
And yes, I would say, it's a bit of stretch to call this whisper quiet. Like any device running while you're trying to sleep, you're going to hear it. And when you're lying down trying to fall asleep, anything can sound like a freight train. But yes, I would not call this whisper quiet. It's just as loud as any other humidifier I've experienced. Being someone who likes to sleep in pitch dark, though, I'd say the very bright on-light is more annoying than the sound. I find the whisping whirr of it quite calming.
And the bottom line here is, I've slept wonderfully since I bought it. I wake up and find that I've been breathing through my nose instead of mouth-breathing like I had been. Because my sinuses are staying open and moistened.
So there you have it. If you want to go filter-free, you're taking on the task of cleaning it. Three quick release screws, soaking the base and intake tube in white vinegar, rinsing, putting it back together.
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For me this has worked perfectly for months now, keeping the air in the room with my guitar at just the right humidity. I bought mine elsewhere but have had others and this one works just fine if you know what you are doing and take precautions. Not for every one, but for most, the red / orange is not mold but iron in your water. For most but not all, the white powder is lime in your water. This is a fact of life for many areas of the country and why people use water filters and water softeners. If you are in a problem area, use a Brita pitcher to filter the water you fill it with. I have tried it with our softened water with no problems but we recently got rid of the softener and will soon be switching to truly filtered water for the entire house. Until then I use a filtered water pitcher. All humidifiers have this problem. Even Consumers gave none more then an average rating for this problem. Baking soda, light bleach mixture, special cleaner, or just let it completely dry out once in a while and you, as I am, will probably be happy with the unit. Mine is still running clear and clean. For the money, this one ca't be beaten.
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As so many others have stated, this product is a complete waste of money, and, I believe, a health hazard. If I could give it "0" stars I would. Despite my best efforts to use filtered water, a ProTec cartridge, and disinfect all reachable parts on a weekly basis with vinegar and/or bleach, mold has grown in the motor housing that is impossible to reach in order to properly sanitize this product. After contacting Kaz, I was told the same thing as so many others (I was hoping maybe they had changed their policy), that I would have to send the item back on my own dime, just to receive the same piece of junk as a replacement. Then, once I received the new one, I should "empty all the water from the tank and base (daily). Then run the unit without any water in it for at least 1 hour to dry the fan housing. If you do not want to run the unit without any water I would just remove the fan housing and unscrew the bottom cover and lay the fan housing on its side so it can air dry." Yeah, like I have the time to do that every day with two small children and one on the way. So this humidifier will probably end up in the trash, a waste of $45 + tax.
FYI, in the last couple of weeks I have purchased a Crane humidifier which doesn't require a filter either (unless you have hard water), for less money, and so far I haven't had any issues with it. It does its job perfectly! From now on, I will not be purchasing any more Vicks/Kaz products due to their complete lack of concern that they have sold a health hazard and aren't taking any responsibility to rectify the situation.
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I would recommended this humidifier. It is pretty quiet, and I have it running all night to humidify the air. I can put the tray in the dishwasher to clean. No filter needed. I am not sure what the negative opinions that I read other readers write are all about. It is not been my experience. Yes, you need to clean it. But you have to clean all humidifiers. This one is easier than others though. It got a great report from Consumers Report, and that has been my experience as well.
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I've had this unit for five months and dropped the Protect cartridge in there every month on the 12th to keep it clean. Despite these efforts, it has developed a pink film along with black mold that you can smell when it operates. I'm having trouble breathing. The area that is affected is IMPOSSIBLE to get to in order to clean it even with pressurized air. My unit has also flooded on two occassions destroying everything on my dresser.
I contacted Kaz who makes the unit. They said they would replace it but I'd be out of a unit for 6-8 weeks and I'd have to pay shipping costs. They will not replace it with another unit so I'm sure the same problem will reoccur. I decided to clean the unit the best that I can (this took 2 hours) and use liquid bacteriostatic water treatment instead of the worthless Protect cartridges. I hope this works.
