What Affects the Consumption Rate?

There are several factors affecting and altering the consumption rate of the humidifier. These factors are responsible for making the humidifier run twice, leading to the increased or decreased consumption rate. 

Let us briefly go through them and discuss their impact on the consumption rate.

Local Climate

One of the foremost determinants of the efficiency of the humidifier is the climatic conditions of the area. The hotter summers cause water consumption to nearly double. 

The same is true for dry, arid climates, which cause water to evaporate. On the other hand, the already humid climatic conditions require less water consumption to maintain the relative humidity.

Whereas in cold weather, the water is consumed at a much lower pace. 

Humidor Opening Frequency

Another factor that is of great consideration is the frequency at which the humidifier is opened to take out the cigars. This applies to the humidor that is used as a storage for the cigars that are in use daily. 

Repeated opening of the humidor affects the vacuum created in the humidor, breaking the seal, which requires increased use of water to restore the humidity level. 

Humidor Seal

An airtight humidor seal prevents the inner air from leaking or the outer temperature from entering the humidor.

The humidor seal is one of the most crucial factors responsible for determining the consumption rate. An airtight seal prevents air from leaking out or entering, creating an enclosed space with a low humidity consumption rate. If the humidor seal is loose or not tightly closed, the inner humidity will leak out, increasing the humidifier’s consumption rate. 

Wood Absorption (Unseasoned vs. Seasoned Wood)

The type of wood used for a humidor or cabinet is also one of the factors responsible for the fluctuating consumption rate. If the wood is unseasoned, it will draw in moisture and increase the humidifier’s consumption rate. This will increase the frequency of refilling the water. 

Conversely, a humidor made from seasoned wood does not affect the moisture present in the atmosphere, thus decreasing the humidifier’s consumption and refill rate.

Type of Humidification System

The consumption rate of the humidifier depends greatly on the type of humidification system used. 

Take the case of a Boveda pack. There is no concept of water refill in it. You can easily forecast their working life as long as there is no change in other elements like weather, opening frequency of the humidifier or the kind of wood used. 

Also, they work both ways; they release moisture when needed and absorb it when it’s in excess. In the case of an electronic humidifier, you can predict the consumption rate and the refilling frequency within a few weeks of its use, as long as the other factors remain constant.

Refill Frequency

Electronic Humidifier

The main factor responsible for water refills in an electric humidifier is the size of the water tank. 

Normally, the water tank needs to be refilled every 2-4 weeks; it can even last 1-3 months if the other climatic factors and techniques remain favourable.

Best Practices

It’s best to be cautious and adopt certain practices to minimize the humidifier’s consumption rate. Below are the two precautions you must continue to take to ensure optimal consumption.

Continuous Monitoring

After going through the guide so far, you have been well briefed about the humidifier’s water consumption specifications, including timing and conditions. Even then, you cannot overlook the rule of constant monitoring of the humidifier’s consumption pace. Whatever the reason, there can be fluctuations in its consumption rate. And if you aren’t monitoring it time and again, the fluctuations may not be tracked and could eventually lead to overconsumption of water.

Troubleshoot Spikes

If there is an increase or decrease in the ideal humidity range of the humidor, like below 65% or above 72%, the best trick is the intentional spike. There can be any reason for the sudden increase or decrease: the climate, the frequent opening of the humidor, adding new cigars or taking them out or loosened humidor seals. 

Whatever the cause, you need to immediately increase or decrease the humidity setting on the humidifier to adjust the humidity to its former rate. 

Final Verdict

The consumption rate of the cigar humidifier isn’t a fixed predefined formula. You cannot confine its overconsumption to any specific reason. There are a number of factors responsible for its consumption rate. Among them, the role of climatic conditions and the nature and frequency of use of a humidifier tops the list. Being informed of and keeping track of all the above-discussed factors is the only trick to the ideal moisture depletion rate of the humidifier.