In the winter months, many people start turning to their humidifiers. There are several types of humidifiers you can use in your home, and in this article we will discuss a few varieties, their best uses, and how they affect your indoor climate.
Maintaining proper humidity levels in your home is important. Too little or too much humidity can both have negative effects on your health.
The Mayo Clinic states: “High humidity can make your home feel stuffy and can cause condensation on walls, floors and other surfaces that triggers the growth of harmful bacteria, dust mites and molds. These allergens can cause respiratory problems and trigger allergy and asthma flare-ups.”
1. Warm Mist Humidifiers
These are the humidifiers often used by people who are suffering from nose and chest congestion. A warm mist humidifier functions by warming the water within to a point where it creates steam and then releasing it into your air. Since there is a heating element within the humidifier, these can sometimes be a safety hazard to children and pets. These humidifiers are great at moisturizing the air and making the air seem warmer by expelling warm mist into the room. However, they also use more energy because they have the heating function to create warm mist. Warm mist humidifiers are also great for reducing harmful bacteria and germs.
2. Cool Mist Humidifiers
This type of humidifier is best suited for households with children and pets because they are not a burn hazard like warm mist humidifiers. A cool mist humidifier is better suited for year-round use in your home because it is a more neutral temperature and uses less energy. However, they also are more noisy as they need a fan to gently evaporate air and then circulate it throughout the room. These types are also more prone to bacteria and mold growth if not maintained properly. Also to be noted is the fan can sometimes create a chilling effect in the winter months. Additionally, there are two popular types of cool mist humidifiers – evaporative and ultrasonic. While evaporative humidifiers are less likely to cause mold or bacteria growth, they also require filter or wick changes. An ultrasonic humidifier is quieter as it uses ultrasonic vibrations to evaporate the water into the air instead of a fan.
3. Central Humidifier also known as a Whole House Humidifier
A whole house humidifier circulates and helps to maintain proper humidity levels throughout an entire home. These whole house humidifiers are installed through your HVAC system so that they are able to circulate the moistened air throughout the home. It’s beneficial to have a whole home humidifier professionally installed because it can monitor and maintain proper levels within your home and lessen any potential negative effects from improper humidity.
If you have any questions about maintaining proper humidity levels inside your home, we can help. Outstanding Heating and Cooling has been serving customers in our community for over a decade and we are always eager to answer your questions and help you ensure your home is as healthy and comfortable as possible. Call, email, or message us anytime! One of our team members will respond as soon as possible. For emergencies, we also offer 24/7 services on evenings, weekends, and holidays.n
