How To Fill Ultrasonic Humidifier [Quickly And Easily]

Did you recently buy an ultrasonic humidifier and need to fill the appliance with water? Without water in its tank, ultrasonic humidifiers cannot produce any mist. To help you out, we've searched different manuals across the internet. Read more to find out what to do.

To fill an ultrasonic humidifier, you usually need to unplug it and then separate the water tank from the base. However, for some brands or models with a mist outlet cover on top of the tank, remove it first before turning the appliance upside-down.

After, fill the tank over, unscrew the cap on the bottom of the tank, and fill it with water. Ensure that you don't overfill it with water. Lastly, put the lid back on, and your appliance is ready to turn on.

Are you still unsure what to do to fill your appliance with water? Well, we've got more details ready for you. We also included what kind of water you should use for it and what to do if it doesn't produce mist. Scroll down to read further about all the information you need to learn.

A man in a new home assembles ultrasonic humidifier, How To Fill Ultrasonic Humidifier [Quickly And Easily]

Guide For Filling Ultrasonic Humidifier

Before you start to fill your ultrasonic humidifier, make sure to turn it off and unplug it as a safety precaution. Then, follow this step-by-step guide:

Filling the reservoir with water

  1. If your ultrasonic humidifier has a mist outlet cover on top of the tank, remove it first. Ensure that you never fill the tank with the lid still attached.
  2. Separate the water tank from the base, then turn it over to access the cap.
  3. On the bottom of the tank, you'll find a cap. Unscrew this cap to remove it.
  4. Fill your ultrasonic humidifier with water while it is still upturned.
  5. Screw the cap back on.
  6. Turn the tank over and attach it to the base again. If your appliance has a mist outlet cover, reattach it too. 

Best Water To Use For Ultrasonic Humidifier

Distilled water bottle

Using clean water for your ultrasonic humidifier is essential to keep the air inside your home safe. For ultrasonic humidifiers, experts recommend using distilled water. Avoid using tap water for it, as using this kind of water poses several health risks for you and your family as you breathe in the mist from the appliance. Furthermore, minerals from tap water may develop into scales or crusty deposits in your humidifier. 

Distilled water has lower mineral content as it underwent several demineralization processes. You can easily find them in stores; only look for bottled water labeled as "distilled." However, be wary of spring, artesian, or mineral bottled water because they differ from distilled ones.

How Do You Fix An Ultrasonic Humidifier That Isn't Producing Mist?

If your humidifier is not working or is not producing mist, there are several possible culprits. Here's a list to help solve the problem:

  • The humidifier isn't on - if this device isn't set as instructed by its manufacturer, you may have turned it on wrong. Check if you turned your humidifier on and if it is plugged in if this is the issue.
  • No water inside the tank - humidifiers need water to function, so ensure your unit has enough water to produce mist.
  • Blocked humidifier diaphragm -  ultrasonic humidifiers use vibration to produce mist. If its vibrating membrane or diaphragm is clogged, this may result in the device having less or even no mist. To resolve the issue, thoroughly clean your unit.
  • Faulty humidifier -  if your device is broken, it will not produce any mist. That is why if you can't pinpoint what's wrong with your humidifier, you must contact your manufacturer or an expert to help you. You may also request a product replacement if your device is newly bought.

How To Clean Ultrasonic Humidifier

If you don't want bacteria or mold spread into your house's air, clean your ultrasonic humidifier regularly. If you don't do so, the standing water from your appliance can become harmful. Ensure to clean your humidifier daily and weekly. Here's what you should do for each cleaning schedule:

Daily Ultrasonic Humidifier Maintenance

It is essential to clean your humidifier daily to avoid any health issues related to bacteria and mold growth inhaled from the appliance. Because ultrasonic humidifiers require owners to change the water inside the tank every day, use this opportunity to clean it by doing these steps:

  1. Shut off your humidifier first, then unplug it.
  2. If your appliance has a mist nozzle on its top, remove it and rinse it with water. Using a clean cloth, wipe it and let it dry.
  3. Remove the tank from its base.
  4. Open the cap under the tank and empty all the remaining water inside.
  5. Air dry the water tank with its cap off.
  6. Wipe the humidifier's base with a clean cloth before reattaching your tank.

Weekly Ultrasonic Humidifier Maintenance

It's a good idea to clean and perform some routine maintenance on your humidifier every week. A simple daily cleaning can get prevent bacteria build-up, but thorough care is still needed to achieve maximum air quality inside your house. Additionally, it will be easier to clean your humidifier weekly than only cleaning it when molds and water residue crystallize, which is harder to get rid of.

For weekly maintenance, follow these steps:

  1. Turn your humidifier off and unplug it.
  2. If your humidifier has a mist nozzle feature, detach it.
  3. Remove the water tank of your humidifier from its base.
  4. Unscrew the cap under the tank and empty the water inside.
  5. Turn the humidifier tank upside down, and pour in a mixture of water and two tablespoons of white vinegar or a tablespoon of bleach. Similarly, apply the same mixture to its base. Ensure that you don't immerse in the liquid during the process.
  6. Reattach the cap while the tank is upturned and shake it after mixing all the contents inside.
  7. In an upright position, leave the tank for at least 20 to 30 minutes to let the mixture inside disinfect the tank. At the same time, leave the humidifier's base with the mixture. 
  8. Shake the humidifier's tank before emptying the mixture inside. 
  9. Remove the residue of the mixture inside by rinsing the tank with plain water. Then, let it air dry along with its cap. On the other hand, using a clean cloth, wipe the basin, and let it air dry.
  10. Reattach the tank to the basin and put the nozzle back (if the humidifier has one).

Click here to see this bleach on Amazon.

Check out this post about mold building up in humidifiers and how to remove them for more information:

Is Pink Mold In Humidifier Dangerous [Inc. How To Eliminate It and Prevent It]?

How Much Water Does Ultrasonic Humidifier Use In A Day?

Ultrasonic humidifier on the grey wooden background

Ultrasonic humidifiers use 1.5 gallons a day. But, depending on your house size, you may use a humidifier smaller or larger than the average, so the amount of water your unit uses within a day may vary. In line with this, you mustn't fill the tank with too much water for fear of not pouring enough for it to function, as it may cause the water to pool on the unit's countertop.

Read this post about the different types of humidifiers and how much water they use for more information:

How Much Water Does A Humidifier Use?

Can You Put Oil In Ultrasonic Humidifier?

Hand adding natural aromatic essential oil into air humidifier

Even if you want to add fragrance to your humidifier's mist, you can't pour essential oils into its water tank. Using oils may pose risks, as ultrasonic humidifiers can damage the tank or clog the appliance's filter. Unless your manufacturer approves of using essential oils for your model, you shouldn't pour any inside as a safety precaution.

How Long Do Ultrasonic Humidifiers Last?

As long as you properly maintain them, humidifiers typically last two to five years. Its life span still highly depends on the brand you own and how you maintain it. However, over time, even when you regularly take care of your humidifier, it can have built-up minerals or damages that you cannot remove, so you will need to replace it.

Tap here to see this ultrasonic humidifier on Amazon.

In Closing

You can fill your ultrasonic humidifier's tank quickly and easily as it doesn't include complex steps. Because there are humidifiers that have a mist outlet cover, you must remove it first after you shut down and unplug your appliance. Then, detach the tank from the base, unscrew the cap, fill it with water, and attach the cap again before inserting the tank into the basin. 

While filling the tank, only use distilled water as it has been processed to contain a low amount of minerals that lessen the chance of any build-up inside your tank. If your unit doesn't produce any mist, check if there are technical issues with the device. 

If you have other issues with your ultrasonic humidifier, this post may give you more information you need:

Why Did My Ultrasonic Humidifier Clog The Furnace Filter?

Ultrasonic Humidifier Vs Cool Mist - Which is Better?

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