Problems Associated with Low Humidity
When you close the windows and turn the heat on in the winter, you begin to reduce the humidity in your home. Humidifiers increase the humidity in the air in a safe, water vapor form to help make your home healthy and comfortable.
Are you dealing with any of the issues listed below? If so, a humidifier could be beneficial to you and your family.
How Low Humidity Affects Health
Dry air in your home can cause or aggravate respiratory problems, dry out nasal passages and make you more susceptible to colds or the flu. Although winter weather is often blamed for these problems, another major cause is dry air produced by artificial heating. Humidifying your home to provide proper moisture levels will help alleviate these symptoms. A relative humidity level of 30-50 percent is considered best.
Other Problems
- Static electricity is a direct result of dry air. In addition to causing painful shocks, it can damage computers and other electronic equipment.
- Hardwood floors lose moisture and contract when the air in a home is extremely dry. This can cause the floor to separate at the seams.
- Houseplants suffer from dryness caused by low humidity.
- Wallpaper may peel at the edges if the air in a home is excessively dry.
Types of Humidifiers
When selecting a humidifier, take into account the purchase price, operating costs and maintenance costs of the unit. Some models consume more energy than others, so choosing a model that is right for your home and budget is important. Some of the most popular types of humidifiers are listed below:
- Warm mist humidifiers use a heating system to release a warm, clean mist into the air. This type of humidifier tends to warm the room slightly. You can also add medication to the air with a warm mist humidifier. The heating element should be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions to prevent mineral deposit buildup.
- Steam vaporizers use two electrodes to turn water into steam. The vapor exits the unit and adds humidity to the home. Some models allow you to add medication into the air. The electrodes should be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions to prevent mineral deposit buildup.
- Cool mist humidifiers come in two types. Impeller humidifiers use a rapidly rotating disc to propel water through a screen, creating water vapor. Evaporative humidifiers use a fan to move air through a filter or wick saturated with water. The air gains moisture as the water held in the filter evaporates, adding humidity to a home in the form of a cool, invisible mist. The filter also traps minerals and impurities from the water. Many people prefer cool mist humidifiers because, unlike vaporizers and warm mist humidifiers, they don't have a heating element inside.
- Console humidifiers work like evaporative humidifiers to humidify the whole house.
Whether you choose a warm mist or cool mist humidifier is a matter of personal taste. Both types raise the humidity level and make your home more comfortable. The cool mist humidifier is the most effective in adding moisture to the air: It works faster, doesn't make the room hot and lasts longer. Also, with a cool mist humidifier, there is no risk of being scalded with hot water or steam.
Do Humidifiers Clean the Air?
No, humidifiers don't affect the cleanliness or purity of your home's air. Instead, they add moisture to the air for improved breathing and health. To clean the air, you need an air purifier.
Warm mist humidifiers and steam vaporizers produce very hot water and steam. Use caution when operating them. They also aren't recommended for use in a child's room because nearby surfaces can get hot and they could get burned.
Choosing a Humidifier
There are a few things to consider when deciding which humidifier is the right one for you.
Capacity
A humidifier's capacity should match your household's needs. Capacity is measured in gallons per day of operation. One method of estimating the capacity you need is to determine the square footage of the area you want to humidify. Consider a tabletop or portable humidifier if you need it for a bedroom. Some room humidifiers can cover a room or space up to 1000 square feet. And if you need one for your entire home, purchase a whole-house humidifier that can cover spaces over 1000 square feet. Use the chart to determine what output level is best for you.
Follow the humidifier manufacturer's instructions for use, safety, cleaning and maintenance.
Whole-House Humidifiers
Whole-house humidifiers are installed in the ductwork, next to your furnace. They add humidity to your entire home. Most have humidistats, allowing you to set the exact level of humidity you want. Installing a humidifier is an easy job if you're replacing your furnace, but you can also have a humidifier fitted to your current system.
Most whole-house humidifiers operate on the basis of a simple concept. Air heated by your furnace or heat pump passes through a ceramic-coated pad in the humidifier, called an evaporator pad. The evaporator pad is saturated with water. The air absorbs moisture from the pad and adds humidity throughout the home as it circulates. Depending on the model you choose and the size of your home, a humidifier will use from 1-1/2 to 12 gallons of water per day when the furnace is operating.
Humidifier Maintenance
You'll need to clean the inside to prevent the accumulation of concentrated minerals and to prevent bacterial growth. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
If your humidifier has a filter, make sure to replace it regularly, according to the manufacturer's specifications. As a filter collects impurities, it begins to discolor. When the lower portion of the filter shows discoloration, it's time to change it. If you have hard water or water with high mineral content, you need to replace your filter more often. If you haven't used your humidifier for an extended period of time, dispose of the filter and install a fresh one.
Too Much Humidity
- Frequent fogging of windows may indicate too much humidity. The appropriate relative humidity allows only slight condensation along the lower edges or corners of windows.
- Drop three ice cubes into a glass, add water and stir. Wait three minutes. If moisture forms on the outside of the glass, the air is likely too humid.
- Moisture buildup or mold on closet walls or room ceilings and walls indicates high humidity.
- Keep in mind that an energy-efficient house holds more moisture. Adjust your use of the humidifier to keep your home between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity. Additionally, you may want to run a ducted kitchen exhaust or bath ventilating fan or open a window briefly if the humidity level gets too high.
Can Humidifiers Cause Mold?
Without proper care, humidifiers can contribute to the growth of mold in your home. To prevent this, keep the moisture level in your home below 50 percent and make sure you regularly clean and maintain your humidifier, so mold doesn't develop within your humidifier.
Financial Benefits of Humidifying Your Home
Controlling humidity can also help you save money on energy bills. The heat our bodies feel is a combination of temperature and humidity. In other words, the more humid the air, the warmer you feel. If you add humidity to dry, heated air in the winter, you can set your thermostat lower and still be comfortable.