Humidifiers are relatively unknown but have many unique purposes and benefits that people don’t often realize. While humidifiers are relatively uncommon in many homes, those that do have these devices rave about their capabilities.
To understand why humidifiers are so beneficial we have to take a deeper look first at why humidifiers even exist in the first place and what they do for us. This guide will walk you through everything that there is to know about humidifiers, from their types and purposes to their advantages and disadvantages. Humidifiers may sound unimportant but can be worth every penny to those who appreciate and use them.
So what is the point of a humidifier?
Room air humidifiers have one main goal, and that is to help improve the breathable air quality in that select space. It emits water vapours in the air to increase the level of humidity to combat dry weather and can also help alleviate certain issues that people have, such as sinus headaches, sneezing, and coughing.
The goal of a room air humidifier is to suck the dry air out of the room and replace it with moist air that is better for you as it helps alleviate dry skin and similar topical related issues.
Humidifiers are used often in times of cold dry weather and dry heat, but they can also be used year round to help people who are sensitive to dry weather. They are exceptionally beneficial for rooms and places with low air ventilation as well, such as areas without windows, or an attic or basement.
Basic Information about Humidifiers
Humidifiers come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are discreet and unnoticeable while others take up more space and have more functionality. To know what type of humidifier is right for you, read below in order to gain a better understanding of the various types available in the market today.
Humidifiers have become much more modernized as time has gone on and now there are many new varieties designed to suit your various needs.
In order to choose the right type of for yourself, you need to understand what each type of humidifier is designed to do in order to maximize the benefits that you are trying to receive. Careful consideration needs to be put into a variety of factors, such as the size of your room, the weather and climate that you live in, and the noise level of the humidifier.
It is also important to take into account the type of building you live in as well as how much ventilation is available in the room that you are interested in getting a humidifier for.
For larger rooms with less ventilation you might want to consider a larger humidifier with more power and capability in order to cleanse the entire room of dry air and alleviate any related problems completely. Smaller rooms require smaller humidifiers, and if portability is what you’re looking for than a lightweight and transportable humidifier is recommended which are easily available in the market.
Lastly, the functionality of the humidifier is another important aspect that you need to consider when determining what type of humidifier is right for your home. With various different types and models coming out all of the time, purchasing a new humidifier requires doing all of the proper research and planning beforehand to make sure that you are taking advantage of any new features and capabilities available.
You also don’t want to spend too much for a humidifier that you will never use. Investigate thoroughly before deciding which type of humidifier you wish to purchase and you will end up saving yourself a lot of money.
Things to Consider When Buying a Humidifier
Be cognizant of your budget, your requirements, and your reasons for getting a humidifier. Below I’ve broken down the main things to consider and take into account when looking for the right humidifier.
1. Noise
Noise is a big issue for some people, and is something to take closely into account when purchasing a humidifier. If having a quiet air purifier is your goal, then make sure you invest a little more in a humidifier that is specifically designed for reduced noise levels. This can be helpful if you plan on leaving the humidifier on at night while you sleep.
2. Special Features
Some of the features that one should look for when buying a humidifier is a timer and auto-shut off functionality as it allows you to use it while you sleep without having to manually turn it off. Some advance humidifiers have a humidistat to monitor humidity level in your room and prevent from over moistening the air.
3. The Room Space and Size
How much space is available in the room is also a key aspect to take into consideration when deciding what kind of humidifier you wish to purchase. Some machines are much larger and more clunky than others, while some humidifiers blend right in with furniture and do not take up much space. Before you purchase a humidifier, figure out how it will fit into the room you plan on using it in.
4. Room Ventilation
In bigger rooms with less ventilation, a bigger more powerful humidifier is required to handle the extra work. Locked up rooms with low ventilation can get stuffy over time, so if there is limited access to a window or fresh air than you might want to invest in a more powerful humidifier. Conversely, leaving the window always open in hot, dry climates requires your humidifier to work overtime as well. You need to find a balance between the design and layout of the room.
Types of Humidifiers
There are numerous different designs of humidifiers available each with their own unique aspects and filtration system. Read the guide below to understand each one and get a better understanding of the type of machine that you think will suit your needs best.
Warm Mist Humidifier Buying Guide
These humidifiers are unique because they use a special heating element which allows them to boil the water within the humidifier. After this process is completed, the humidifier releases this heated water out into the air in the form a warm mist. These types of humidifiers are intended for those who live in colder climates, as the warm mist will heat up the room.
They are also on the quieter spectrum of humidifiers because there is no fan involved. Some machine models of this type of humidifier also have optional mineral pads as well, which help take out of the mineral deposits in the air and require less filter changes.
Features
External port blows out warm steam.
Mineral pads that are optional and help avoid maintenance on the humidifier.
Cold Climate Tuning to help heat rooms as well as purify the air.
Pro’s of Warm Mist Humidifiers
Very quiet humidifiers that do not use a fan, these can be placed in a room and barely noticed.
Also doubles as a heater in colder, winter climates.
Con’s of Warm Mist Humidifiers
This device is not designed for warmer climates, so if you live in an ever changing environment with highly variable seasons this humidifier isn’t for you.
Price Range: Anywhere from $25- $200.
Weight Range: 5-25 pounds.
Cold Mist Humidifier Buying Guide
Contrary to the warm air humidifier, these machines are designed for warmer environments and exude a colder mist into the room in order to cool it down. These humidifiers are considered the most common, and a cold mist humidifier works primarily by the forces of evaporation.
These humidifiers add moisture into the room and are considered on the cleaner spectrum of humidification machines. A filter that traps impurities is required to be changed every few weeks or months depending on the quality of the humidifier.
Features
A special wick filter that traps impurities and minerals from the air.
A special function that adds moisture to the cool mist being released into the room.
Pro’s of Cold Mist Humidifiers
Relatively inexpensive, this humidifier is the most common and easiest to find.
Con’s of Cold Mist Humidifiers
Designed primarily for warmer climates, the cold air humidifier does not handle cold weather climates well. Its main function is to cool down rooms.
Price Range: Anywhere from $25- $200.
Weight Range: 10-35 pounds.
Console Humidifiers Buying Guide
These humidifiers are considered the industrial, large scale air purifiers. Their primary goal is to cleanse the air in an entire building or home. Console humidifiers are different than cold air and warm air humidifiers in size and capabilities. Console machines are capable of sustaining humidity levels throughout an entire residence. These are often much larger units that are not portable and fixated in one permanent location within the home. Console Humidifiers should be placed near the central ventilation system for the proper distribution of moisture throughout the entire house.
Features
These humidifiers are known for using natural evaporation techniques to get rid of dust as well as purify the air.
Console machines are capable of humidifying the entire home.
These units are very large, heavy and immobile.
Pro’s of Console Humidifiers
These devices are extremely efficient and convert very little energy into humidifying your entire home. This is an excellent option if humidifying every room of your house is your goal.
The console feature comes with additional cleansing options that remove small dust particles as well as other impurities in the air.
Con’s of Console Humidifiers
These are quite heavy, and are relatively expensive. The console humidifying option is only recommended if you require a high level of purity for health reasons or are extremely serious about air purification.
Price Range: Anywhere from $100- $5,000.
Weight Range: 85-150 pounds.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers Buying Guide
Ultrasonic Humidifiers are on the more modern end of the spectrum with the latest devices coming equipped with special technology with advanced air filtration system even more powerful than the normal devices.
Ultrasonic humidifiers also come equipped with the capability to switch between cold air and warm air mists as well if you live in a changing environment. This is a great humidifier if you’re looking for an all in one device that can handle a broad array of tasks and requirements.
Ultrasonic humidifiers work by utilizing high frequency sound waves to break the water down into a special very fine mist. This mist is also released into the air very quietly with little to no noise at all, making this humidifier equally beneficial for night time or sleeping use.
Features
Modern functionality and capabilities. Able to switch between cold and warm air mists.
Ultrasonic vaporization that incorporates new technology to clean the air better than ever before.
A quiet, fan less system that cleans in near silence.
Pro’s of Ultrasonic Humidifiers
This AC system is extraordinarily quiet and low profile.
Can be placed in special strategic locations throughout the home, highly portable and able to clean very efficiently.
Con’s of Ultrasonic Humidifiers
This system does not come cheap. While on the more expensive side of the spectrum, it also is designed for smaller spaces and cannot purify larger rooms completely.
Price Range: Anywhere from $200- $2,000.
Weight Range: 15-50 pounds
Guide to Buying a Humidifier – FAQ’s
Which humidifier should I get?
We will recommend the ultrasonic option to start out with because it comes with flexible features. Whether you need it for cold air or warm air flow, the ultrasonic humidifier has all of your bases covered. It is also quiet which is an added bonus.
Will a console humidifier really make a difference throughout the entire house?
Yes. Console humidifiers are great because they clean every room of your home and keep the air constantly purified. They also pick up and remove smaller dust particles that regular humidifiers don’t always catch. If you want to rest easy knowing your entire family is breathing well this is the option for you.
Do Humidifiers help me with my allergies?
Humidifiers were originally designed as a specific tool to deal with allergies and people who had trouble breathing in the normal air of their home. Over time, they grew in popularity and became appreciated for their ability to help you breathe better, regardless of allergies or not. It is by no means an alternative to medicine and should be treated in such way.
Which humidifier is best for cough, stuffy nose, sinus problems and dry skins in winter?
The Luma comfort is ideal for these conditions in winter as it has both cool and warm mist features so you can have better night’s sleep and automatic humidity control to help you with your ailment. It can be used both on a residential and commercial building and helps alleviate allergy, cold, cough, and other symptoms that a humidifier is supposed to help with.
Which humidifier is best for newborn baby?
The Rowenta Ultrasonic 360 humidifier is the best one out there, it produces light and vapors as compared to cheaper models and has different modes, automatic, baby, and night mode so you can adjust it your liking. It has an auto shut off, filter and 360 mist diffusion making it ideal for new borns and babies.
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