Humidifier comparison ResMed 2i -- GoodKnight H2O

Last month I posted that the ResMed 2i integrated humidifier is very "wimpy" and doesn't "put out" enough humidity for me (as I tend to mouth breathe). As always, my DME was extremely helpful and told me just to keep my mouth closed and breathe through my stuffed up nostrils. So I added
the Aussie HH in the loop. When I wear a tight chin strap and keep my
mouth somewhat closed, I don't dry out, but with no chin strap, my
mouth flops out and I dry out. The 2i has always been set to max setting
since day 1. I am currently trying out the PB 420e with the GoodKnight
H2O humidifier which was released in January. I was afraid that I would
have the same problems with it. So I was able to do a volume
comparison, and I found out that both units are capable of
holding the same volume of water. It appears that the heating
plate is larger on the 420e. The 420e doesn't have a "pre-warming" cycle
like the ResMed integrated unit has, but one can just turn on the
GoodKnight H2O humidifier 20 minutes before using the 420e and
probably get the same result. The drawback to the GoodKnight unit
is that it requires a second plug, and you need to remember to
turn it off in addition to turning off the 420e. Maybe someone else can
chime in about their experiences with humidifiers, especially what
happens in the middle of the night, when they run out of water.

I've been using the 420E with heated humidifier for about 3 weeks now and, once I realized I had to turn on the switch in the back for it to heat (oops!), have had no problems with it, including running out of water. I fill it a bit more over the "Max Fill" line than it says and have it set to 2.5 in the back. Usually I plug it in along with the 420E when I lay down at night. I generally read for 1/2 - 3/4 hour and by then, the water in the humidifier is nice and warm. So far, I haven't run out of water during the night, including a couple of 10 - 11 hour sleep sessions. Also, the temp in the bedroom stays about 68 - 72 degrees and I have had no problem with rainout since hanging the hose over the head of the bed. I have my hose hung over the headboard of my bed, about 1 foot above my head level while sleeping and keep it there all night and during the day.

One thing I did notice....one day I forgot to turn off the humidifier or unplug it. I didn't remember until late the next evening, but when I went to check it, the water level was NO lower than it was in the morning! I figure that without the air blowing over it and connections at both the front and back of it, there's no place for the water to go. So, my experience is NO PROBLEM with the amount of water the humidifier holds. BTW, I use ONLY distilled water in it and rinse it out about twice a week.

This therapy WORKS!!

My Goodknight humidifier just arrived. Here's a new thing... Instructions say it's ok to use tap water!

The biggest downside to using tap water is that it usually leaves scale on the sides of the clear plastic chamber. I used tap water for almost a year with my first heated humidifier (F&P 150C separate humidifier - worked great!) I was sorry I used tap water - took a lot of vinegar soakings to get the stuff off the sides. Also, eventually started getting a pitted look to the aluminum base of the chamber.

Have been using distilled water in the next humidifier I got - the one that comes with the REMstar auto. Stays crystal clear. I just add more as needed. Distilled water is so cheap, it's worth it to not have to bother with soak/cleaning.

Tap water is ok for them, it means you will be buying a new reservoir soon... Use distilled, no scale, no yuck, and think about it, if tap water leaves scale and scum on the plastic, would you really want to breathe in that water?

rested gal wrote:The biggest downside to using tap water is that it usually leaves scale on the sides of the clear plastic chamber. I used tap water for almost a year with my first heated humidifier (F&P 150C separate humidifier - worked great!) I was sorry I used tap water - took a lot of vinegar soakings to get the stuff off the sides. Also, eventually started getting a pitted look to the aluminum base of the chamber.

Have been using distilled water in the next humidifier I got - the one that comes with the REMstar auto. Stays crystal clear. I just add more as needed. Distilled water is so cheap, it's worth it to not have to bother with soak/cleaning.

I hear ya about the tap water. Afraid to admit I used it too, at first. Yucko residue, didn't take long to really mess it up! Makes me wonder what's in my tap water. Do you think that muck does something to the body? Maybe the doctors aren't telling us -- the real reason the arteries get clogged is from the tap water residue!!! Maybe that residue is contributing to the colapse of our throat tissues, helping along our apnea!

........ ,she vents.


Linda, who wonders what's really in her tap water

I would be inclined to stick with the distilled water; you will have to replace the chamber sooner if you use tap water.

I put distilled into a measuring cup and give it about 30 seconds in the microwave. Then I pour it into the chamber, get the gear on and go to sleep. This way, the water is already warm and giving off more moisture. I'm asleep in a few minutes with no stuffy nose, like I used to get, from cold, dry air.

Linda, and anyone else wondering about their tap water:
What's in it depends very much on where you live, and where the water comes from...
O.