In this article, we’ll go over the pros and cons of humidifiers.
Humidifiers are gaining a lot of popularity among those living in dry climates.
Those who own humidifiers claim that apart from relieving congestion and nasal dryness, using a humidifier has improved their sleep pattern and overall health.
However, some owners object to the regular cleaning process and the disruptive noise some humidifiers produce, which is definitely not ideal if you want a good night’s rest.
Below, we’ve objectively uncovered the benefits and potential drawbacks one might face after investing in a humidifier.
Pros of Humidifiers
Boosts immune system
You need to invest in a humidifier to reduce the risk of catching a cold. Airborne bacteria and viruses thrive in the winter because the air is drier. You can mitigate this risk with a humidifier.
The increased moisture in the air will help clear out blocked nasal passageways and boost your overall immunity against airborne diseases.
Hydrated skin
If you’re spending too much money on skincare products without seeing visible results, you definitely need a humidifier. The moisture emitted by a humidifier will hydrate your skin, making it appear more refreshed and healthy. This way, you can say goodbye to dry and patchy skin in the winter!
Optimum humidity in winters
We all know how the air inside our homes can get uncomfortably dry in the winter due to heating units. The dryness leads to chapped lips, itchy noses, and flaky skin. But with a humidifier, you can put these problems to rest immediately.
The moisture that humidifiers add to the air reduces dryness and gives you the optimum humidity level in winter.
Beneficial for plants and furniture
Humidifiers are a must-have if you’re a green thumb. The higher humidity levels promote the growth of your indoor plants and make them look more healthy and more vibrant.
Talking about vibrancy, a humidifier can also make wooden furniture last longer. It prevents dry air from cracking and peeling your wallpapers and paint.
Produce less static in winters
Humidifiers also prevent static electricity from building up, so the pretty silk dress you love won’t cling to your skin uncomfortably in winter. It also keeps your electronics safe by minimizing sparks caused by static.
Cons of Humidifiers
Now that you know how you can benefit from having a humidifier in your house, it’s time to uncover some issues you might face.
Need to be consistently cleaned
Humidifiers come with some slightly high-maintenance guidelines. If the humidifier’s water tank is not cleaned regularly, it becomes a medium for harmful bacteria to spread in the air, which can lead to respiratory illnesses.
To avoid this problem, you should invest in humidifiers that are easy to maintain and clean. You should also follow the instruction manual to clean your humidifier weekly. Use distilled water to prevent tiny particles or white dust from being emitted.
Can produce excess moisture
If a humidifier does not regulate the moisture it expels, the air inside your house can get too moist, increasing the risk of mold and bacteria growth. If you notice condensation on windows and tiles growing throughout the house, you’ll know you’ve let the humidifier run for too long.
To keep the moisture level in check, you should buy a humidifier with built-in humidistats that measure the humidity levels in your home.
Can be noisy
Certain types of humidifiers, such as evaporative humidifiers, are louder than others. The buzzing noise of a humidifier can disrupt your sleep.
If noise concerns you, we recommend investing in ultrasonic humidifiers. These are the least noisy and will help you get a good night’s rest.
How do Humidifiers Work?
Humidifiers increase humidity and moisture levels inside your home. Back in the day, people used to boil water or hang wet towels to increase humidity levels. Now, you can get a product that does the same job more efficiently.
Humidifiers convert liquid water in the tank to water vapor or mist. This mist is then propelled into the air via the fan, increasing the humidity levels in your home.
Some humidifiers also feature a UV light to kill waterborne bacteria and ensure that the mist dispersed in your home is clean and fresh!
When Do You Need A Humidifier?
To know whether you need a humidifier in your house, you should closely observe your indoor environment and the well-being of the people in the house. If you or your family are prone to allergies, you should install a humidifier in your home immediately.
Dry air is often the culprit behind regular flu. This is because exposure to dry air can cause problems in our respiratory tracts and lower our immunity to airborne viruses.
However, the humidifiers’ moisture can clean the air around you, making you less prone to catching such viruses.
A humidifier is an excellent investment for those who struggle with dry skin. A dry environment will further draw moisture from your skin and scalp, which leads to cracked skin and a flaky scalp. A humidifier will help your skin look healthy and prevent your scalp from drying.
Additionally, if you need to use the heating system in your house constantly, you may find it ideal to invest in a humidifier. High-quality humidifiers are going to moisten the air and keep your home warm. It will reduce your energy costs and help you save money, and who doesn’t love some financial savings?
The good news is that there is a diverse range of humidifiers to choose from. These include ultrasonic, evaporative, and steam humidifiers. They also come in various shapes and sizes, and some even have smart features to make the user experience incredibly comfortable.
You can buy a travel-size humidifier if you move around a lot. On the other hand, you can set up large-sized humidifiers in your homes that can be directly connected to your ventilation system.
Our Recommendations
There are various types of humidifiers on the market, so choosing one can be a little intimidating. Below, we have recommended the best humidifiers that will fit your needs.
The Levoit Classic 300S ultrasonic cool mist humidifier uses vibrations to create a cool mist and is considered one of the best humidifiers. Although expensive due to its ultrasonic technology, it is the most straightforward model to clean. Plus, it is incredibly durable, has many smart features, and barely produces noise!
Steam humidifiers boil water to let out steam into your house and are usually more budget-friendly. The Honeywell Warm Moisture Humidifier is an excellent steam humidifier. It creates warm moisture and allows you to add essential oils for a more relaxing steam experience in the room.
The Vornado EVDC 300 is an evaporative humidifier that uses a sheet or filter soaked with moisture. The moisture in the filter is then blown into the air, speeding up the evaporation process with the help of a fan. This humidifier is also affordable, effective, conserves energy, and can help trap impurities in its filter.
Impeller humidifiers, like the Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier, create a fine cool fog with the help of a fast-rotating disk—instead of a heater—to convert water into steam. This humidifier is incredibly simple to operate, budget-friendly, and ideal for areas frequently inhabited by children.
The Takeaway
Adding a humidifier to your house is an investment that never fails to pay off—and in more than one way.
While humidifiers have some risks and maintenance responsibilities, the pros outweigh the cons. We recommend browsing through various humidifiers before buying one that best suits your needs.
