Great concept for limiting maintenance and operating costs

The Hunter 3.5Gallon Humidifier is far superior to any of the Wick paper filter Humidifier units I have owned. My previous wick filter Humidifier boasted a filter life of at least 90 days, I was lucky to get 30-60 days (even with optimal water conditions). The Hunter Perma-filter does not sit in a pool of water when it is not being used (unlike its paper wick-filter cousins). Wick filters in other units tend to mold up in a hurry when left sitting in water and not used. This does NOT happen with the Hunter unit as the evaporative metallic grid sits above the waterline and is only exposed to water when the unit is turned on and operating. The unit has a pump (impeller assembly) which is attached to the drive shaft on the fan motor. Water is drawn from a pan at the bottom and lifted to a distribution chamber where water is evenly distributed over an evaporative grid. The fan pulls dry air through the front grill, then past the water laden evaporative grid. Finally the humidified air is channeled through the top multi angular distribution grill.

Cleaning the unit is not carefree BUT it is much easier than most humidifiers I have owned previously. A simple lift of the console cover and the drop in place humidifier grid can be lifted out easily. The grid looks dirty (even when new), but it is a coating that is used on the product and is there for a reason apparently. The water tank has an easy tote handle, easily filled from the kitchen faucet and just as easy to transport.

This particular unit only has two speeds. The low setting is quiet enough, the high setting is ANYTHING but quiet. The mechanical humidistat could be improved as well. Quite frankly it is useless. Using the unit on the low setting (on continuously) and I can easily maintain an appropriate level of humidity in my home. One fill on the low setting lasts about 48 hours.

With two minor enhancements this humidifier would be stellar. 3 speed or preferably a variable speed fan AND a mechanical humidistat that works. Other than that it gets top marks.