You’re probably wondering if you need a humidifier this winter or not. And you probably have a lot of questions about them if you’re not familiar with what they are or do. To help you choose the right one for your home and family, here are some FAQs regarding humidifiers: “I'm looking for a quiet humidifier" Some who can’t sleep well find it hard to have a humidifier running at night, but rest assured there are quiet ones that work for light sleepers. An ultrasonic humidifier is what you’ll need! “How often do I replace the filters?” Many evaporative cool moisture humidifiers require replaceable wick filters that should be changed every two months on average, but that depends on how often you use it and the water’s mineral content. Many of these wick filters feature a special antimicrobial coating that is supposed to slow the growth of mold on the filter. There are also some that come with permanent cleanable filters, which means you don’t need to replace them. The majority of ultrasonic humidifiers come with demineralization cartridges that help minimize mineral deposits that are found in tap water. “How often should I clean my humidifier? To make sure that mold, mildew, bacteria and fungi doesn’t grow on the filter, you need to clean it regularly or else they’ll grow and thrive in standing water left inside of it. You should empty and then refill it every day. Clean it at least once every week to two weeks, but the most important thing is to avoid having standing water in your humidifier. Follow the specified cleaning instructions in your humidifier’s instructional booklet. Which size should I get? Many manufacturers have a recommended room size that’s measured in square feet for each model of humidifier they make. But this is still not a guarantee that it will be able to increase the relative humidity level of a room size to a specific level. Instead, they should be used as rough guidelines. However, you will get the best result by opting for the highest output unit possible that fits your budget and your room.