Humidifier settings

Understanding proper humidifier settings is an important element in ensuring your therapy is as effective as possible. Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about humidifier settings below.

Q. How can I properly adjust my H5i™ humidifier settings?

A. The steps for proper adjustment of your humidifier settings are explained in this video.

Q. How do I know what setting to use with my CPAP humidifier?

A. The answer varies depending on what ResMed humidification system you're using, as follows:

• H4i™. Start the setting at 3 and adjust for comfort. With the HumidAire™ systems, the heater plate is thermostatically controlled, which means that it will heat until the required temperature is reached, and then it will switch off. If the light is off and you're still feeling dry, 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 adjusting the humidifier in this manner until your symptoms are resolved (this may take several nights). If you start to experience moisture in the mask tube, you need to turn the humidifier down, heat the room or use a ResMed tubing wrap.
• H5i™. The H5i has added intelligence to help deliver constant humidity to minimise rainout during standard humidification. H5i humidification delivery is controlled by three inputs (ambient humidity, H5i settings and device flow) and adjusts the output to maintain consistent water delivery. In general, you should start at a humidity level setting of 3 and adjust up or down by 0.5 to address any drying or rainout issues. When using ClimateLine™ heated tubing, we recommend using Auto mode, which defaults to a Climate Control setting of approximately 27°C. From there, you can adjust up and down as necessary.

If using ClimateLine heated tubing in Manual mode, start with a humidity level setting of 3 and a heated tube setting of approximately 27°C. Adjust the humidity level up and down by 0.5 to address any drying or rainout issues, and adjust the heated tube level up and down in 1° increments to find the most comfortable temperature setting.

Q. How often should I change the water in the humidifier tub? I never seem to use it all in one night.

A. The water should be changed daily, even if you don't use it all in one night.

Q. How much water should my humidifier use overnight?

A. Don’t be surprised if the amount of water varies from night to night. It varies from one humidifier to the next, from one patient to the next, and with the temperature and humidity of the bedroom, as well as the settings of the humidifier itself.

Q. My humidifier sometimes runs out of water during the night and most other nights it’s 3/4 empty by the morning. What's going on here?

A. The water delivery output depends on ambient room temperature and humidity, the settings and therapy pressure delivered by the device. If the room conditions change from night to night (e.g., one night the heater is left on in the house, and the next night it's turned off), this can account for differences in the water usage.

It may also be that you're breathing through your mouth, or have mask leak. Mouth breathing allows air to escape from your mouth, which can decrease the efficiency of the humidifier.

If mouth leak is under control or you are using a full face mask, trying one or more of the options below may help:

• Use ClimateLine heated tubing (for ResMed S9™ users)
• Tubing wrap
• Lower your humidity level setting
• Add a humidifier to the room. See more information below.

Q. I usually use my humidifier only in the winter months when the heat is on and the air is dryer. Should I be using it all year round?

A. If you're finding that you have nasal symptoms at other times of the year, then you should probably use your humidifier then, as well. The added humidification may reduce the occurrence of these symptoms.

Do you have a question about humidifier settings that isn't addressed here? Contact a ResMed accredited outlet.