Why Is My Humidifier So Hot? Here Are 11 Common Reasons!

You must be a humidifier user if you live in a dry climate. As a user, you want to know everything about them. Like, some people are always searching for “why is my humidifier so hot?”

If you are one of them, this article is for you. We will share some common causes behind a hot humidifier. By knowing them, you will be able to pick the issue and fix it immediately.

Why Is My Humidifier So Hot? 11 Common Reasons

A humidifier is one of the essential pieces of equipment in any home in dry areas.

They help to maintain a comfortable level of humidity in the air. Therefore, they prevent dry skin, static electricity, and even respiratory problems.

But sometimes a humidifier starts getting too hot. If you also want to know, “why is my humidifier so hot?” you are at the right place.

When a humidifier is running hot, it can be a real inconvenience. Not only will it make the room feel uncomfortably warm, but it can also lead to increased energy bills and a damaged unit.

Now we will explore some major reasons why your humidifier might be running hot.

1. The Humidifier’s Filter Is Dirty:

A dirty filter is one of the most common reasons a humidifier runs hot. When a filter becomes clogged with dust and dirt, it can’t do its job properly.

A clogged filter is a fire hazard. This is because the dust and dirt can act as an insulator, trapping heat inside the humidifier.

So, when you turn on the humidifier, the heat can’t escape, causing the unit to overheat. This causes the humidifier to work harder, which in turn makes it run hotter.

To clean the filter, remove it and wash it with soap and water. You should also replace the filter every few months.

2. The Wick Is Not Positioned Correctly:

A wick is a piece of absorbent material, usually made of cotton. It soaks up water from the humidifier’s base. The wick then releases water into the air, providing moisture to the room.

If the wick is not positioned correctly, it can’t absorb water properly. This can cause the humidifier to run dry and overheat.

After some repetitions, the plastic around the heating element becomes brittle and crack.

To fix this, simply reposition the wick so it can submerge in water. You may need to adjust the position of the wick every few days to keep it working properly.

3. The Heating Element Is Not Working Properly:

 A steam humidifier is a type of humidifier that uses a heating element to evaporate water. It has a built-in electric heater to produce steam for humidification. Also, a bypass humidifier has a heating system.

If the element is not working in a proper way, it can cause the humidifier to overheat.

For instance, if the heating element is set too high, it can cause the humidifier to become overheated.

You can try resetting the heating element to see if that solves the problem. If not, you may need to replace the heating element.

4. The Humidifier’s Settings Are Not Correct:

The right setting for your humidifier depends on some factors. For instance, the size of the room, the number of people in the room and the level of humidity you want to maintain.

If you don’t set the unit in the right setting, it will work harder to maintain the humidity in the room. So this can cause the humidifier to overheat.

It would be best if you had your humidifier set to run for 30-60 minutes at a time, 3-4 times per day.

Besides, you should keep checking the humidity levels in your room with a hygrometer. Always ensure that they stay between 30-50%.

If the humidity in the room is higher than this, it could be why your humidifier is so hot.

5. The Humidifier Is Placed Too Close To A Heat Source:

A humidifier that is placed too close to a heat source can cause the humidifier to overheat.

The heat source causes the water in the humidifier to evaporate too quickly. This can lead to the humidifier becoming too hot.

Furthermore, a heat source also causes the unit to absorb heat from the surrounding area, making it too hot.

If your humidifier is too close to a heat source, move it to a different location. Because if you ignore this problem, it could cause your unit to break down or stop working after getting too hot.

6. The Unit Is Not Getting Enough Airflow:

An airflow means the humidifier is constantly getting new air to evaporate.

If the unit is not getting enough airflow, the water in it will not evaporate properly. Thus, it can lead to the humidifier becoming so hot.

Ensure the humidifier is in a well-ventilated area so it can get enough airflow. Otherwise, If something is blocking the unit’s airflow, this can also lead to an extra hot device.

To avoid this, make sure to frequently check the humidifier’s air flow and clear any blockages. So that the humidifier can function properly.

7. The Humidifier Is Not Big Enough For The Room:

There are different sizes of humidifiers available in the market. Some are for small rooms, while others are for large rooms.

You have to pick one that is most suitable for the room you want to use it in.

If the humidifier is not big enough for the room, it will have to work overtime to humidify the air. By doing so, the humidifier will become hot.

Even by damaging your unit, it will still not achieve the desired humidity level in the room.

To prevent this, ensure a humidifier that is the right size for the room.

8. The Humidifier’s Reservoir Is Empty:

Water is the basic element of a humidifier. Therefore, if the humidifier’s reservoir is empty, it will not be able to produce enough mist.

A unit adds moisture to dry air in the form of water, but without enough water, the humidifier will overheat.

When an empty unit run, the heating element will be working on trying to generate mist. But the absence of water will make the humidifier hot.

Always ensure the priority to keep the humidifier’s reservoir full. So you can protect a unit in the first place.

9. The Unit Is Overworked:

Overworking is quite a common reason for a humidifier to get hot. If you are using your humidifier for long hours, it will obviously overwork and make the unit hot.

Try to take some break between or use it for a shorter duration. This will help your humidifier to have some rest.

Also, if you want your humidifier lasts long, don’t overwork it. Give the unit a break after running it for a couple of days.

You can turn off the humidifier and let the unit rest for a day. This will make the humidifier last longer.

10. Type Of The Unit Matters:

The type of humidifier also plays an important role in making the humidifier gets hot.

Some types of humidifiers, such as ultrasonic and impeller models, tend to get hotter than others. This is because they use a vibrating plate to create mist, which generates heat.

Another type is a steam humidifier. It boils water to moist dry air. That’s why it becomes extremely hot to touch.

Moreover, some humidifiers have inferior quality materials that are not heat resistant. As a result, the humidifier gets hot quickly and easily.

First, you should invest in a good quality unit. Second, don’t run a unit continuously. Have some short breaks in between to allow the humidifier to cool down.

11. Due To Build-up Of Minerals In The Humidifier:

Minerals are naturally found in water. When water is hot, these minerals become concentrated and can build up in the humidifier.

This can lead to the unit becoming clogged, which in turn makes it work harder and causes it to get hot.

Also, if the humidifier isn’t cleaned regularly, this can cause a build-up of bacteria which can also make the unit hot.

A clogged unit hinders the flow of air and water. This disturbs normal function and makes it difficult to work for a humidifier.

Conclusion:

If you are finding the answer, why is my humidifier so hot? Then, you should inspect the reasons that can make a unit hot.

Try adjusting the humidifier’s settings or moving it to a different location. If the problem persists, you may need to clean the humidifier or descale it to remove mineral build-up.

We shared several possible reasons that can cause a unit to become extra hot.

In case your device works abnormally, first find the issue and then fix it on the spot. Further, you can take professional help to resolve the issue.