Honeywell QuietCare HCM-6009 9-Gallon Output Console Humidifier with Air Washing Technology: More Value for Money
Do you or your kids have difficulty sleeping at night due to dry cough or stuffy nose? Do you wake up in the morning with chapped lips or dry skin? Well, it is time for you to get a decent humidifier in your home. Believe it or not, those minor health conditions can be alleviated by simply increasing the air moisture in your home.
Now, there are tons of humidifiers out in the market today and so the next question is how do you choose the best one that gives more value for money? The important point to consider here is that most consumers are after a decent and affordable humidifier. The Honeywell HCM-6009 fits all these criteria.
The QuietCare humidifier has a 3.4 gallon tank but it can release 9 gallons of air moisture every day. It is ideal for rooms that are around 2300 square feet. It works simply by sucking dry air into the humidifier and the Honeywell HCM-6009 fan will blow out the invisible air that is moisture-balanced. Any unwanted bacteria and minerals from your water will be trapped in this humidifier’s filter. As the amount of water in your tank decreases during the entire day, you are assured that the Honeywell HCM-6009 is clearly doing its job of adding moisture inside your home.
Features
The Honeywell HCM-6009 has a low water indicator and it will automatically shut off once it does not have enough water. Nevertheless, the tank’s plastic bottom can easily show if one of them is low. One tank will drain before the other so you can actually keep them circulating. Just by wiggling the tank you can easily see if it is low.
You can adjust the humidity control with your Honeywell HCM-6009. It has three fan speeds that also serve as moisture settings: low, medium and high. Low is ideal for nighttime use. Since it will run on a minimum operation, the sound coming from the humidifier will also be very minimal. Medium can be used in the daytime while high is recommended if you want to quickly humidify a room. Its humidistat, Advanced Mist, will effectively adjust and then select the humidity level of your preference. Once it has reached your desired level it will automatically turn off. It will turn on and turn off automatically throughout the day as well as night to maintain the humidity level you desire.
The best part about Honeywell HCM-6009 is its filter that also works as your air purifier. You will see lots of dirt in them once you get to change them. Its air washing pre-filter really traps dirt, pollen and dust. The ionizer releases the negative ions into the humidified air coming out of it and these will attach to the airborne particles in your room. As they have a negative charge they can join with those that are positively charged like smoke, pollen and dust to make larger particles and be easily captured by its filter system. At the same time, the antimicrobial-treated filter prevents migration of fungus, bacteria, algae and mold.
There are other adorable features of Honeywell HCM-6009. One is the programmable timer, the second one is the automatic shut-off and the continuous mode that lets you set the fan speed and the humidifier will operate for a certain amount of time until you turn the power off.
Noise Levels
The Honeywell HCM-6009 also known as QuietCare. It is aptly named as it promises to be quieter by 30 percent compared to other tower models. On the low and medium settings the sound coming from it is actually soothing, especially if you are living in an apartment in the city with less pleasant background noise. On high you will hear the fans more. Its sound can help to mask noise coming from the street in a way that is relaxing.
Maintenance
Cleaning is not an issue when you have this humidifier as you only need to change its filters after a designated time. Use the HC-14 replacement filter which can last, on average, one season and it’s even washable. It is a little pricey but worth it. To prolong your filter’s life, you can use a mildew/scale/lime/bacteria treatment and add to your every refill of the tanks. Mildew smell can also be prevented by using this treatment. For the cartridge, the Protec Cartridge (PC-1), is recommended. On average, it can last up to 30 days. Lastly, follow Honeywell’s instructions on the cleaning and sanitizing of your humidifier.
Visual Design
The Honeywell HCM-6009 has an oak burl appearance that complements or even enhances your home décor. Its designer thought of several items that work well. Among them are the wheels. That is why even when this humidifier is a bit heavy (20lbs) it is very comfortable moving it. Also, having two tanks instead of one makes it easier to do the refills. One more thing, its handles are comfortable. The only downside is that the plastic used to make the tanks are too brittle which means they are not durable. You may have to be very careful not to drop or bump them.
Dimensions
The Honeywell HCM-6009 measures 21” x 17-1/2” x 13“(WxHxD). It weighs about 20 pounds. You may have to allot some space for this one since it is a bit bulky but that can certainly be a small concern especially since it works pretty well and really gives value for money. Size is a necessary requirement for a humidifier with a decent output like this has. People who buy smaller units are often disappointed and end up replacing them with a larger unit like this one that meets their needs better.
Capacity
The Honeywell HCM-6009 has a 3.4 gallon tank. Every refilling can run up to 24 hours which means if you don’t really leave it on the entire day you don’t actually need to refill it every day. There are a few complaints about how troublesome the refilling can be due to the not flat bottom which also makes it is a bit hard when screwing the cap on.
Price
Taking into account the numerous wonderful features it has, the Honeywell HCM-6009 has a reasonable price. After all, it is worth paying a bit more for a decent product.
Advantages
Has a 3.4 gallon tank that can run up to 24 hours
Releases up to 9 gallons of moisture per day
Ideal for rooms of up to 2300 square feet in size
Has wheels for easy moving
30 percent quieter than other humidifiers
Filter also acts as air purifier
With auto shut off feature
Has a humidistat
Can be programmed to adjust to desired humidity automatically
Has a programmable timer
Has comfortable handles
Disadvantages
Uses a pricey replacement filter
Weighs about 20 pounds, measures 21” x 17-1/2” x 13“(WxHxD), a bit bulky
Bottom of tank is not flat so it is a little hard to refill
The plastic the tanks are made from isn’t very strong
Advantages
Disadvantages