Humidifiers: All You Need To Know

A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air. During winter, the cold weather strips moisture from the air. This leads to dry and itchy skin. Using a humidifier during those cold months can help your skin and keep the air fresh. Humidifiers can be especially helpful in winter when the weather and indoor heating systems can make the air dry. 

You need to target 30% to 50% humidity in your home. You can calculate the level of air moisture with a tool named a hygrometer that’s available at most hardware stores. Consider buying a humidifier if your level is below 30%, especially if you often suffer from sore throat, bloody nose, or dry skin.

Once you install a humidifier in your home, it’s still important to keep an eye on the humidity levels. A humidity level above 50% can be a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and other germs. Higher than 60% can lead to condensation on windows and other surfaces in your home, which also invites dangerous microorganisms into your place. 

Some humidifiers have a humidistat that senses the humidity in the room and shuts the machine off when it hits the right level. Also, click here to get more updates about humidifiers.

Humidifier Types

Vaporizers work the same way as a pot of water on the stove. They make steam by boiling the water, and it evaporates into the air. Most doctors warn against using these if you have children because of the risk of burns.

Evaporative humidifiers use a fan to blow air over a wet, absorbent material like a wick that sends moisture into the air. It is not only simple and safe, but it also releases fewer bacteria and minerals into the air than other types of humidifiers. But that only depends on how regularly you clean and dry it and change the filters.

Central humidifiers are the humidifiers that are connected to the plumbing and heating system of your house and air conditioning, and this way they cover the entire house. It’s convenient because you don’t have to refill the water supply every time, but you do need to be sure to keep certain allergens away from getting into the air.

Ultrasonic humidifiers turn water into vapors by using super-fast vibrations. These are quiet, very efficient, and they are not very costly.

Risks Of Humidifiers

The humidifiers can be helpful in many ways, but it’s also important to keep them clean and well-maintained. A dirty humidifier can be a breeding ground for dangerous germs and mold, and if they start growing in a humidifier, they get sent out into the air and you can breathe them in, which is very harmful to your body. The same thing goes for the tiny minerals in bottled or tap water.

Avoid letting the air get too humid — that can lead to dangerous consequences. Humid air can trigger allergies and be especially harmful if you have problems with your breathing issues like asthma. An air conditioner or dehumidifier can provide help even out the humidity. 

Be super cautious if you have a steam-based humidifier that boils water. They get really hot and can cause burns if they’re not maintained with care. 

The Type Of Water To Use

Tap water has different amounts of minerals, and it also depends on where you live. They can gum up your humidifier and breed bacteria that gets thrown into the air along with water vapor. The minerals also can form a fine white powder that can lead to crusty deposits in the machine — another breeding ground for bacteria. These issues are most likely common with ultrasonic and impeller humidifiers. So you need to clean them properly and regularly. 

Distilled water, which is available in grocery stores, has fewer minerals, but it’s not clear that it’s any better than tap water as long as you clean your humidifier regularly.

No matter what the disadvantages are, a humidifier is a must-have for every home. So you need to keep the clean regularly to lead a healthy life. Have a good day.