For most of us, the warm summer weather has officially left, and cold weather is here to stay for a while. Colder weather means we start adding layers to our daily wardrobe and switch our A/C to heat, but it also means that the air is much drier. Drier air can create some health problems as we head into winter months. How can you combat the drier air? By purchasing a humidifier for your home.
In case you’re wondering: What is a humidifier? Humidifiers are devices that emit water vapor or steam to increase moisture levels in the air (humidity).
If you are experiencing any or all of the following, you should consider investing in a humidifier:
- You’ve noticed a change in the air of your home
- You’re sneezing more than usual
- Having trouble breathing
- Nostrils and lips are starting to feel painfully dry
Now that we’ve established that you are in need of a humidifier, we need to help you figure out what kind you need. Believe it or not, there are tons of humidifiers out there that offer different benefits. Before making an investment, you should answer the following questions:
- What is the size of the room your humidifier will go in?
- What kind of relief are you looking for?
- What is your budget?
The different types of humidifiers vary in gallon output, size, and technique. Here is a guide to the different types of humidifiers available for your home or office:
Cool Mist Evaporative Humidifiers:
In Cool Mist Evaporative Humidifiers normally a wick filter sits at the base of the humidifier and absorbs water. The Honeywell HCM750B Easy-Care Humidifier provides additional hydration for your home and relieves the effects of dry air. The Honeywell Easy-Care Humidifier is easy to fill and has a clear water window to let you know when the tank needs a refill. This cool mist humidifier features a self-regulating evaporative system and an antimicrobial treated filter. The Honeywell cool mist humidifier features multiple output settings, runs up to 48 hours per filling, and is ideal for use in large rooms.
Purchase the Honeywell HCM750B Easy-Care Humidifier by clicking here.
Warm Mist Humidifiers:
Warm mist humidifiers use a heating element to boil the water in the humidifier and release it in the form of warm steam. The Honeywell Warm Moisture Humidifier HWM-950 is a household humidifier that provides relief from various cough and cold symptoms, which makes it useful for the winter months and for those suffering from a cough, respiratory infections, and congestion. The Honeywell warm moisture humidifier allows you to breathe easier and sleep comfortably during the winter months when humidity is often reduced. This warm mist humidifier is filter-free, allowing it to control your home’s air moisture levels without worrying about a filter replacement.
This Honeywell humidifier heats and purifies your water for release throughout your home and can run quietly and continuously for up to 24 hours. This filterless humidifier is low maintenance, offers to moisture output settings, and includes a medicine cup for therapeutic purpose.
To purchase The Honeywell Warm Moisture Humidifier HWM-950 click here.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers:
An Ultrasonic humidifier is the quietest humidifier manufactured. It uses the power of high-frequency sound waves that pulsates a metal diaphragm to help break the water down into an ultra-fine vapor mist. The Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Frog (ships in 82-82) days and Cool Mist Hello Kitty Humidifiers (ships in 5-6 business days) supply indoor moisture for easier breathing and relieves nasal congestion, dry cough, sinus irritation, and other similar issues. The mist output can be regulated with the control knob located at the front of the humidifier.
To purchase The Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Frog click here and the Cool Mist Hellow Kitty Humidifier click here.
Warm Mist Vaporizers:
Warm Mist Vaporizers use a heating element to boil the water in your humidifier and release it into your indoor air as a warm steam mist. The Holmes HWM5850MM-UM produces warm mist vapors in less than 60 seconds. Get relief from the worst of dry air symptoms that can cause discomfort in your throat, sinuses, and cause the skin to flake or crack. Bacteria easily enters the body through breaks in fragile membranes around the body which moist air can help prevent. Further benefits include a medicine tray for use in aromatherapy along with a cough and cold relief. A 24-hour run-time allows the system to output up to 2 gallons per day, with a safety shut-off feature, and filter-free operation that requires little to no maintenance outside of cleaning the unit as recommended by the manufacturer. Control the moisture in the air with a turn of a knob and enjoy the many benefits of warm-mist humidity.
To purchase the Holmes HWM5850MM-UM click here.
Cool Mist Impeller Humidifiers:
In this type of humidifier, like the Sunbeam Cool Mist Impeller Humidifier (Ships in 14 business days), a high speed rotating disk spins water towards a diffuser, which breaks the water down into tiny drops and is released into the air as a fine mist. The Sunbeam Cool Mist Impeller Humidifier produces a refreshing cool mist that is beneficial for combating cough and cold symptoms. The patented impeller disk prevents any mist from spilling out from the unit and onto your floor.
To purchase the Sunbeam Cool Mist Impeller Humidifier click here.
UV Germ-Free Humidifiers:
Some humidifiers feature UV Germ-Free technology that uses ultraviolet light to kill germs, bacteria, and viruses present inside the water of your humidifier. This type of humidifier may be ideal for babies, small children or anyone concerned about preventing the spread of germs, viruses, and bacteria.
Top Fill Humidifiers:
This easy pour-in humidifier is perfect for individuals having difficulty lifting or carrying heavy water bottles or suffering from arthritis. Top fill humidifiers will give you the ability to pour water directly into the humidifier using your own water container.
Humidity that is too low or too high could cause serious and aggravating problems. For very large areas, console humidifiers may be suitable. For small, medium or large rooms in your home, dorm or office, consider purchasing a smaller room humidifier. For optimum performance of your humidifier, regularly maintain your unit and be sure to change your replacement filters as recommended.
Other things you should know about humidifiers:
As you are probably aware, the amount of humidity varies depending on the season, weather and where you live. Humidity levels are higher in the summer and lower during winter months. The ideal humidity level in your home should be between 30 and 50 percent. Humidity that’s too low or too high can cause problems.
- Low humidity causes dry skin, can irritate your nasal passages and throat, and make your eyes dry and itchy.
- High humidity will make your home feel stuffy. It can also cause condensation to form on walls, floors, and other surfaces. This is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, dust mites, and molds.
Want to find out what the humidity level is in your home?
You can test the humidity level in your home with a hygrometer. Resembling a thermometer, a hygrometer measures the amount of moisture in the air. You can find hygrometers available for purchase at hardware stores and department stores. Some humidifiers may come with a built-in hygrometer or humidistat, that can help you maintain a healthy humidity level.
Now that you have figured out which humidifier best fits your need, you need to be aware that humidifiers can make you sick if they aren’t properly maintained. It’s always a good idea to be aware of the humidity levels and keep your humidifier clean. Did you know? Dirty humidifiers can breed mold or bacteria. Special notice for those who have allergies or asthma: consult your doctor before using a humidifier.
Here are a few tips for keeping your humidifier clean:
- Use distilled or demineralized water. Using regular tap water can promote bacterial growth because of all the minerals that are added to it.
- Change humidifier water frequently. If you start to notice a film forming inside your humidifier, it’s definitely time to change the water. First, unplug it, empty the tank, dry the inside and refill with clean water. Do this every day, if possible.
- Clean humidifiers regularly. It’s not enough just to change the water in your humidifier. It is recommended that you clean your humidifier every 3 days. You can clean it with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution, which is available at most pharmacies. Some manufacturers may even recommend using chlorine bleach or other disinfectants. Make sure you read the label for care instructions for your machine.
- After cleaning, rinse. This will keep those harmful chemicals from becoming airborne — and inhaled.
- Change your humidifier filter regularly. If your humidifier has a filter, you should change it at least as often as the manufacturer recommends. If it looks dirty, change it.
- Keep the area around humidifiers dry. If the area around a humidifier becomes damp or wet — including windows, carpeting, drapes or tablecloths — turn the humidifier down or reduce how frequently you use it.
- Properly prepare your humidifier for storage. Make sure you drain and clean your humidifier before storing it. Make sure you clean it again after taking out of storage. Make sure you properly dispose of used cartridges, cassettes or filters.
- Old Humidifier? Replace it. Over time, humidifiers can build up deposits that are difficult or impossible to remove.
We hope this blog is helpful for all future and current humidifier owners out there.
Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments.
EcoBlueLife.com is a replacement water and air filter company located in the United States. The views and opinions contained herein are solely those of the original author and do not represent Eco Blue Life or its affiliates. This article was originally published on FiltersFast.com
