Wick Filter Technology (NOT recommended)

I have owned several portable units over the years. Everything from warm mist (which sent my electrical bills through the roof), to a couple of different cool mist units which were much more energy efficient, but nosier. It’s a trade off for sure.

I have owned the Holmes 6 gallon HM3500 model for over a year now and have to say that I am very disappointed with the Wick system of humidification that it employs. I have great water conditions (soft water) with few minerals and even so, the life of the filter has been 60 days at best. When the filter is new, it is extremely effective. The built-in humidistat is accurate and keeps the humidity level fairly constant. At low fan speed I can keep my 2,000 s.f. home at optimum humidity, that is until the wick starts deteriorating. Weekly cleanings are needed for sure, which in itself isn’t a problem for me, the wick ends up turning to mush prematurely when rinsing in the sink . . . and if you don’t rinse it out periodically, it turns rock hard and becomes totally inefficient.

My recommendation: Seek out a manufacturer that employs a permanent type filter and avoid the wick style filter systems altogether. My previous model (which they don’t produce anymore) lasted for years until the motor finally went. It was a far superior system to the wick system requiring very little maintenance. I could have paid for my HM3500 unit twice over for the number of times that I have had to replace filters.