A drop in temperature is often accompanied by dry winter air. This can result in different types of physical problems such as dry skin, chapped lips, nasal irritation, etc. The good news is you can rely on a humidifier to restore humidity and maintain good air quality. If you're planning to get a humidifier for your home, however, it's important to consider several factors so you can make the right purchase.
Benefits of a Humidifier
First of all, let's try to gain a better understanding of humidifiers and how they can help. In order to do this, you'll need to clearly understand how dry air impacts your body. If the air is too dry, you may develop conditions such as allergy symptoms, throat irritation, nose bleeds, asthma flare-ups, sinus infections, and more.
A humidifier helps relieve all these symptoms as it retains good moisture balance in the air by dispersing tiny amounts of mist into the air. It is especially important to use humidifiers during cold winter seasons when the air becomes extra dry with the use of heating systems that strip your home of moisture.
Consider the Type of Humidifier You Need
Before deciding to buy a humidifier for your home, you need to first understand the different types of humidifiers available so you can clearly identify which type you need. There are two main types of humidifiers: warm mist and cool mist. Each of them has varying benefits and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at the differences between these two types of humidifiers:
1. Warm Mist Humidifier - A warm mist humidifier heats up the water and then disperses the resulting steam into the air. The moisture it produces may be healthier because it kills impurities and germs through the boiling process. The disadvantage is that it may use slightly more electricity. It may also be wise not to use this type of humidifier around children as there is a risk of burn.
2. Cool Mist Humidifier - A cool mist humidifier disperses moisture at room temperature. It is capable of covering large rooms. And since it doesn't need to heat up water, it uses less electricity than the warm mist version.
Consider the Room Size
Another important factor to consider when choosing the right humidifier for your home is the room size. Think about how much space you intend to humidify and you'll be able to choose the right size and type of humidifier. Take a look at some of the different designs of humidifiers and find out which one would be right for you:
1. Tabletop Humidifiers - These are compact, portable humidifiers that you can place on top of your dresser or your desk. They are sufficient for humidifying a small to medium room, i.e. rooms up to 500 square feet. You can easily move them around depending on which room you need to humidify. The main disadvantage is that since the tank is small, tabletop humidifiers need frequent refills.
2. Console Humidifiers - Console humidifiers are perfect for humidifying multiple rooms or an entire house. You can even find console humidifiers that can humidify spaces up to 3000 square feet. The main disadvantage of console humidifiers is that they tend to run a bit louder than the smaller ones. But this shouldn't be a problem if you go for an ultrasonic variety. These use a vibrating nebulizer as opposed to a regular fan, so they run much more quietly than normal.
As for portability, the smaller console models may be easy to maneuver and you should be able to move them around easily. The larger models, though humidifying larger spaces, would be a bit difficult to move around. So, it would be best to place them in a central location.
Other Features to Consider
In addition to these basics, there are several other features you should consider before buying a humidifier for your home:
1.Aesthetics - The humidifier you buy should be just as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional. This is crucial because you want to make sure it blends in with the rest of the decor in your room. Make sure you keep in mind factors such as room dimensions before deciding on a model to buy.
2. Ease of Use and Maintenance - For humidifiers to work effectively for a long period of time, they should be cleaned regularly. So, it's crucial that you look for a model that's easy to clean and maintain. In case of tabletop humidifiers, make sure you opt for one with a tank that can easily fit beneath your faucet so you can easily rinse it.
Evaporative models require regular wick replacements. So, you need to make sure the model you buy has a wick that is not only easy to replace but also economical. Additionally, you should look for a humidifier that has user-friendly controls. And the settings and humidity levels should be clearly visible so there's no confusion.
3. Noise Control - If noise is a big concern for you, it's crucial that you look for humidifiers that are practically noiseless. Since evaporative models may be a bit noisier than normal, ultrasonic models may be preferable if you're going to use it for bedrooms or home offices.
4. Humidistat - There are also humidifiers with humidistat function, which automatically shuts off the system once the air reaches a preset level of humidity. This may be an excellent option to consider if you wish to avoid extremely high levels of humidity.
These are all crucial factors you should consider before you decide to invest in a humidifier for your home. It's important to remember that pricing shouldn't be your main concern. Consider your requirements first and then look for humidifiers that offer the features you need and are priced within your budget.
This is important because if you only consider the cost, you're going to end up with a cheap model that may break down quickly. Instead, look for a model that is worthy of an investment and would last for a long time.