Humidification

Humidaire 2i and Humidaire 2i

We recommend that you turn the humidifier on (indicated by the green light on the Humidaire 3i and the orange light on the Humidaire 2i). The glowing light indicates that the heater plate is actively heating.

H4i

Start the setting at “3” and adjust for comfort. With the HumidAire systems, the heater plate is thermostatically controlled: it will heat until the required temperature is reached and then switch off. Once you have reached the stage where the light is off, turn the dial up one setting and try it at that level. If your symptoms are not resolved, you may need to turn it up to a higher setting. Continue in this manner until your symptoms are resolved. If you start to experience moisture in the mask tube, you need to turn it down, heat the room, use a ResMed Tubing Wrap or use the S9 Climate Control System.

The amount of water needed varies from one humidifier to the next, from one patient to the next, and with the temperature and humidity of the bedroom.

The water should be changed for each use - even if don't use it all in one night.

If you mean "why does it vary from one night to the next?" it may be that you are mouth breathing or have mouth leak. If you mouth breathe, you let lots of air escape from your mouth. All the extra air that escapes uses up your water more quickly.

This condensation is called "rainout."

If your room is cold, the warmed, humidified air hits the colder room temperature and cools. When air cools, the amount of humidity (water vapor) that it can hold is reduced, which causes the humidity to "rain out."

The amount of water air can carry varies with temperature: warmer air can carry more water while cold air can carry less. As warm air becomes cooler (eg, overnight), it has less capacity to carry water, so water condenses and forms droplets.

There are several ways to deal with this situation.

1. Use the S9 Climate Control system.
2. Try turning your humidity level down.
3. Raise the temperature of your bedroom at night to lessen the difference between the room temperature and the humidifier—make sure that your bedroom window is closed.
4. Run the air tubing beneath your blankets to keep it warm. Alternatively, you can cover the tube with a ResMed Tubing Wrap or a tube sock. The goal is to keep the tube and its air warm.

Yes.

Wrapping the hose helps to insulate your treatment air from the lower temperature of the room, reducing "rainout."

The tubing wrap (PN 33963) provides warmth and greater comfort. It increases the amount of humidity to be provided, up to 20% at the mask.

Daily

It is recommended that you wash your water tub in warm water, using a mild detergent.

Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow them to dry away from direct sunlight.

Monthly

• Inspect the water tub for wear and deterioration.
• Replace the water tub if any component has cracked, become cloudy or pitted.
• Clean white powder or deposits in the water tub by using a solution of one part household vinegar to ten parts water.

Yes.

On a daily basis, you may use warm water and a mild detergent to clean. Use the new cleaning plug to properly secure the water/detergent for cleaning.

White powder or deposits in the tub can be cleaned by using one part vinegar to 10 parts water, utilizing the cleaning plug as a measuring device (see User Manual for details). However, the heating plate at the bottom of the tub cannot be taken apart from the base for cleaning.

Up to 40% of PAP users experience nasal congestion and dryness of the nose and throat. These symptoms can be severe enough to prevent patients from continuing their treatment.

The HumidAire 3i and H4i heated humidifier add moisture and warmth to the air delivered by a CPAP or bilevel system. This reduces symptoms of dryness and congestion, improving patient comfort and compliance.

Research also shows that nasal resistance can promote mouth breathing, which in turn leads to additional dryness. Heated humidification can prevent the large increase in nasal resistance that results in mouth breathing and leaks.

Because you can adjust the level of heat, heated humidification offers greater flexibility and reduces more severe symptoms. Both nasal pillows and masks are a viable option when using humidification; however, "rainout" (moisture caused by having the humidifier turned up too high) when using nasal pillows may become more of an issue as the moisture is directed into the nostrils.

Insurance coverage can vary. Please contact your insurer directly.

If you go through your doctor and get a prescription and a letter of medical necessity (a letter that explains why you need heated humidification), it increases your chances of being reimbursed.

Unfortunately, some insurance companies will not cover the cost of heated humidification.

Yes, this is normal operation for the H5i. There are a number of differences between the H5i and H4i humidifiers that cause this. These are as follows;

H4i Humidifier	H5i Humidifier
Heater plate temperature is based solely on the dial setting and remains constant if the dial setting is not changed.	The heater plate temperature changes to ensure a constant humidity level. Heater plate temperature depends on the ambient (room) conditions, the humidifier setting and the air flow.
The moisture output will vary for a given dial setting, depending on ambient conditions and air flow.	The moisture output for any given humidifier setting does not change, irrespective of changes in ambient conditions or air flow.
The heater plate temperature is not software controlled.	The heater plate temperature is software controlled. If no flow is detected then the plate will not heat.

Yes. The water level left after use doesn’t give the best indication of unit function. As the H5i provides constant moisture output, it only uses the amount of water needed to provide the required level of moisture. If set at the same Climate Control temperature throughout the year, the H5i will use significantly less water during summer than it will during the winter.

Yes. To confirm H5i function, complete the following steps;

1. Disconnect ClimateLine tubing and remove the water tub.
2. While the S9 is NOT running, place your hand on the heater plate to assess the temperature of the H5i heater plate. NOTE: Do NOT place your hand on the heater plate if the H5i has been running in the 10 minutes prior to this test as it may still be hot.
3. Set the humidifier output to 6.
4. Place the unit in warm-up mode and allow it to run for 1 minute.
5. Place your hand above the heater plate (without touching it) to confirm an increase in heater plate temperature. Don’t place your hand directly on the heater plate as it will be hot.
6. Press the dial for 3 seconds to enable cooling down mode.

• The H4i humidifier provides 30% more humidification than HumidAire 3i.
• H4i has 65mL greater water capacity to support humidification needs at higher flow rates and pressures.
• Both offer user-friendly humidity controls (simply start at setting 3, then customize for comfort).
• Both are compatible with the latest ResMed platforms from CPAP to VPAP bilevel therapy.
• Both have a snap-top cover – easy to use, set up and refill.
• When telling them apart,
  • the H4i does not have a logo on the front panel. Rather, it is located on the bottom of the device.
  • the H4i also has a larger heater plate and offers a thumb notch on the rounded top cover. The HumidAire 3i’s cover is more slanted and does not offer a thumb notch.

Yes - by replacing the HumidAire 3i top cover and seal with the H4i Conversion Kit (PN 26959 - new top cover, seal, H4i tub and cleaning plug).

With the kit, you can use either the standard or cleanable H4i water tubs on a HumidAire 3i docking station. However, you cannot use a HumidAire 3i water tub on the H4i docking station.

The humidification levels with H4i tubs used on a HumidAire 3i system will be equivalent to using the HumidAire 3i tubs. However, you will have the ability to take advantage of the larger 65mL water capacity for higher pressures and bilevel therapy.

Additionally, the H4i tubs are offered at a lower cost than HumidAire 3i tubs.

Yes.

You can purchase the H4i humidification system as a separate purchase (PN 26940). You may also purchase the H4i with a “cleanable” water tub (PN 26950) separately from our co-packaging.

To use the cleanable tubs while using the HumidAire 3i docking station, you must purchase the flip-top cover and seal (PN 26953).

You may then purchase the cleanable tub separately as needed (PN 26958).

The CPAP should always be placed either at the same level or above the humidifier to reduce the risk of water entering the CPAP machine.

To further ensure water does not enter your CPAP machine; disconnect the humidifier from your CPAP machine and drain the water from it before transporting it dry.

A full face mask should not change the amount of water used each night.

If you had a mouth leak before, you could have been losing lots of air and humidity through your mouth, in which case you should use less water now.

No.

The tubing supplied with CPAP machines can withstand far higher temperatures than the heat generated by the humidifier.

If you find the air dry and irritating, then you may want to turn your humidifier on 20 minutes prior to going to bed.

If you are finding that you have nasal symptoms at other times of the year, then you should probably use your humidifier. The added humidification will probably increase the comfort of the air as it is more fully moisturized.

Humidification doesn't help with OSA or UARS, it does help with side effects caused by CPAP. If you are already on CPAP treatment and experiencing nasal dryness/symptoms, then humidification should help decrease the symptoms. The nasal symptoms are due to the increased flow of air through the nasal passages. Humidification adds moisture to the air breathed and helps the nasal passages cope with the increased flow of air.

Using distilled water will maximize the life of the water tub and reduce mineral deposits. However, it is ok to occasionally use tap water to clean your humidifier.

Do not use: bleach, alcohol, chlorine or ammonia-based solutions; moisturizing, antibacterial or glycerine based soaps; and water softening and unapproved descaling agents.