Air humidifier – operation, types, advantages of use. Which humidifier to choose? How does ultrasonic moisturizing work?

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An air humidifier is a useful device that increases air humidity in the rooms where we stay. Thanks to it, our comfort of sleep and everyday functioning can improve. Thanks to it, we can get rid of dry skin and respiratory tract, and even minimize snoring. How does an air humidifier work? Can everyone use it?

During the heating season, in autumn, winter and early spring, when the houses are equipped with radiators, the air in the rooms often becomes excessively dry. Air that is too dry (and too humid) is not good for our health – causes breathing problems, makes the skin excessively dry, and even contributes to problems with the respiratory system and lowered immunity. Dry air in the bedroom is often the cause of poor sleep quality or even insomnia.

Air humidifiers can help people with:

  1. dry skin,
  2. irritated eyes
  3. dry throat or airways
  4. allergy,
  5. frequent cough
  6. epistaxis,
  7. headaches and sinuses,
  8. chapped lips.

For these reasons, many people decide to buy an air humidifier that will ensure adequate air humidity in the rooms where we spend our time. The operation of the air humidifier depends on the type you choose. Generally speaking, air humidifiers produce water vapor, which causes the increase in humidity, even with radiators heating at maximum power.

Find out if there are home remedies for dry air at home

Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. The amount of moisture depends on the season, weather and where you live. In general, humidity levels are higher in the summer and lower in the winter months. The ideal humidity in your home should be between 30% and 50%.

Too low or too high humidity can cause a variety of problems:

  1. low humidity can cause dry skin, irritate the nasal passages and throat, and make eyes itchy.
  2. high humidity can make your home stuffy and can cause condensation on walls, floors and other surfaces, causing harmful bacteria, mites and mold to grow. These allergens can cause breathing problems and trigger allergies and asthma exacerbations.

See also: Fungi and mold in the house – how to get rid of them?

The best way to check the humidity level in your home is use of a hygrometer. It’s a device that looks like a thermometer but measures the amount of moisture in the air. Hygrometers can be purchased at stores with tools and household appliances. When buying a humidifier, consider buying a humidifier with a built-in hygrometer, this will allow you to constantly monitor the humidity level.

The simplest type of air humidifier is a water container to be hung on a radiator.

An air humidifier is usually made of a material that guarantees evaporation of the water when exposed to heat.

Such a humidifier is relatively cheap, also in operation. You just need to remember to replenish the evaporating water regularly, and from time to time remove the container from the radiator and clean it. You can also place, for example, a bowl of water on the windowsill, which will slowly moisten the air in the room by evaporating. However, such humidifiers are not very effective and only moisturize a small area.

You can use them in small rooms, in larger rooms, humidifiers connected to the electricity will be better. There are several types of them:

  1. steam air humidifier – it is a water container connected to the electricity. The water in the container is heated and then released as a warm mist. Such an air humidifier heats the room in which it is installed to a small extent, moisturizes the air and – importantly – cleans it. For this reason, steam air humidifiers are recommended for bedrooms and children’s rooms. We recommend Vitammy Mist Therapeutic Steam Humidifier, which you can buy at a promotional price on Medonet Market,
  2. Evaporative air humidifier – this device is also connected to the electricity. Such an air humidifier sucks in air from the room and then releases it in the form of a cool mist,
  3. ultrasonic air humidifier – ultrasonic humidifier emits ultrasounds that break down water molecules, producing a mist which, depending on our preferences and device settings, can be heated or cool. Some models of ultrasonic air humidifiers have a built-in hygrometer that allows you to precisely measure the degree of air humidity in the room,
  4. central humidifiers – they are built directly into the air conditioning or heating of the house. These are the most expensive types of humidifiers, but are the best choice if you want to keep your entire home moist. Central humidifiers do not emit steam,
  5. steam vaporizers – it is an electric air humidifier. They heat the water and then cool it before throwing it into the air. They are the cheapest and most portable humidifiers. You can buy them, among others, in drugstores. This type can cause burns, so it is not the most child-friendly,
  6. rotor humidifiers – they operate with the help of spinning disks that run at high speed. These devices are relatively cheap. They are also considered to be the most child-friendly because they create a cool mist and do not pose a risk of burns. However, they can potentially cause breathing difficulties in people with allergies and asthma when used excessively.

There are also air humidifiers with an ioniser – these devices generate negative ions (anions), which neutralize the positive ions (cations) in the air in the room. Excessive amounts of cations are bad for health and well-being because they lead to hypoxia. For this reason an air humidifier with an ionizer gives double benefits – it moisturizes the air and increases the amount of oxygen in it.

Order the TM-AIR 27 filtering and ionizing air purifier today at Medonet Market.

Read: Plants that purify the air

Air humidifiers – asthma and allergies

If you or your child has asthma or allergies, talk to your healthcare professional before using a humidifier. Increased humidity can make breathing easier for children and adults with asthma or allergies, especially during respiratory infections such as cold.

Breathing air with higher humidity is one way to alleviate the discomfort and symptoms of allergies. For example, allergic rhinitis often involves nasal congestion, irritation and inflammation of the delicate tissues in the nose. By reducing the inflammation of these tissues, it can provide quick relief. This then allows the wetted nasal tissues to blow irritants and allergens out of the nasal cavity, reducing allergy symptoms.

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It should also be remembered that dirty fog or increased allergen growth due to high humidity can trigger or worsen symptoms of both diseases.

Air humidifier – flu prevention and cough medicine

Research shows that humidifying the air can reduce the risk of catching the flu. Scientists found that humidity levels above 40 percent in a room quickly inactivated flu virus particles, greatly reducing the likelihood of infection.

Dry air can cause dry, non-productive cough. The use of an air humidifier increases the humidity in the room and in the respiratory tract. This can affect the cough’s productivity. A productive cough relieves trapped or sticky phlegm and allows the airways to clear.

Read: Don’t underestimate the flu!

Increasing the amount of moisture in the air can minimize nighttime snoring. If the air in the room is dry, the respiratory tract is not optimally humidified and snoring may occur. The use of an air humidifier at bedtime and even at night can relieve snoring, and thus the comfort and quality of sleep.

Did you know that stockings can help with snoring?

Air humidifier – a remedy for dry skin, hair and nails

In the autumn and winter period, many people notice dry skin, hair and nails. Heating devices operating during this period create dry air, both at home and at work, which in turn causes the skin to dry out. In addition to skin dryness, redness, flaking and itching appear. In addition, the cold air outside increases the drying out of the skin. Using an air humidifier at home or at work can help reduce dry and chapped skin.

Air humidifier – benefits for the home

Adequate moisture, provided by an air humidifier, can be helpful throughout your home. Any moisture-loving indoor plants can become more lively. Humidity can also help prevent wallpaper cracking and the build-up of static electricity. Humid air can also be warmer than dry air, which can help you save money on utility bills during the winter months.

Are you considering buying an air humidifier? Check out the unique offer on Medonet Market.

There is no doubt that you will sleep better at night with an air humidifier. The sleeping person will wake up fresher and, above all, free of a stuffy nose and hoarse throat. Babies sleeping with the humidifier will be less strenuous and lethargic, as the humidity in the room allows them to sleep through the night.

Besides, there are many other benefits of keeping an air humidifier working all night long (nourished plants, nourishing snoring, nose bleeds). Any family member in the household can take advantage of these privileges, but the youngest are the biggest beneficiaries.

Also read about how long your newborn sleeps and what affects sleep.

Air humidifier – keeping the device clean

Dirty tanks and filters in humidifiers can quickly breed bacteria and mold. Dirty humidifiers can be especially problematic for people with asthma and allergies. In healthy people, they can cause flu-like symptoms and even lung infections when polluted mist or steam is released into the air. Evaporators may release less airborne allergens than vapor emitted humidifiers.

Tips for keeping the humidifier clean

To keep the air humidifier clean and to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in it, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Also pay attention to the following tips:

  1. use distilled or demineralized water – Tap water contains minerals that can form deposits inside the humidifier that encourage the growth of bacteria. When released into the air, these minerals often appear as white dust on furniture. Apart from the fact that every household member inhales them. Distilled or demineralized water has a much lower mineral content than tap water. In addition, demineralization cartridges or filters should be used, if recommended by the manufacturer,
  2. change the water in the humidifier frequently – do not allow deposits to build up in humidifiers. Pour the water out of the humidifier, dry the inside surfaces and, if possible, top up with clean water every day. This is especially true for mist or ultrasonic humidifiers. Remember to disconnect the device from the power supply first,
  3. clean the humidifier approx. every 3 days – disconnect the humidifier from the power supply before cleaning. Remove any mineral deposits or film from the reservoir or other parts of the humidifier with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, available from pharmacies. Some manufacturers recommend the use of chlorine bleach or other disinfectants. Always rinse the tank after cleaning to prevent the floating of harmful chemicals,
  4. replace humidifier filters regularly – if your humidifier has a filter, change it at least as often as recommended by the manufacturer – and more often if dirty. In addition, regularly replace the filters in your central air conditioning and heating system,
  5. the area around the humidifiers should be dry – If the area around the humidifier becomes damp or wet – including windows, carpets, curtains or tablecloths – reduce the amount of moisture emitted or reduce the frequency of use.
  6. prepare a humidifier for storage – Empty and clean the humidifier before storing it. Then clean it again when you take it out of its storage. Discard any used cartridges, cassettes, or filters.

Read: Good practices in the era of coronavirus – humidify the air

There are many air humidifiers on the market that label “quiet” or “soft whisper”. One humidifier can be quieter than the other, the ultrasonic model is considered to be very quiet, but there are no completely silent humidifiers. Having at least two speed levels allows you to choose the lowest and quietest level.

Since we adapt to the noise of the air conditioner or fan, we have to do the same with the humidifier – get used to the noise level. This can have its advantages – the low noise of the humidifier can drown out annoying noises in the house and remind you to fill or turn off the device.

Air humidifier – bacteria control function

Some humidifiers have built-in bacteria control functions. This allows you to prevent or reduce the risk of bacteria building up in the water tank or where it is emitting moisture. These and other features, such as nano technology or silver ions, are great at helping to keep the levels of harmful bacteria in the humidifier low. You’ll pay more for these features, but it’s worth having.

However, it should be remembered that they do not eliminate the cleaning of the humidifier. You still need to be diligent and routinely clean and disinfect your humidifier. Some humidifiers use silver sticks for bacterial protection and need to be purchased and replaced from time to time.

While it seems logical to use a humidifier with warm mist in winter and cold mist in hot summer, for many it is often a matter of preference. Warm or cool fog depends on which is most useful for breathing or reducing coughing.

Each of these types will add moisture to your home. If you need medical vapor, a warm mist humidifier is provided for this purpose, however, the most common type of humidifier is cool mist.

Advantages and disadvantages of air humidifiers

Moisturized, purified and warm air provided by steam air humidifiers is the undoubted advantage of these devices. However, their serious disadvantage is quite high electricity consumption, and therefore high operating costs. A cheaper solution is an evaporative or ultrasonic air humidifier. The latter devices, however, emit ultrasonic waves that are audible to animals. Therefore, when you have a pet (cat, dog or other animal) at home, you should take into account that the operation of the ultrasonic air humidifier may be tiring for them.

Another disadvantage of air humidifiers is that in rooms with high humidity, fungi and molds develop more easily. People allergic to these microorganisms should consider not using an air humidifier, rather frequently ventilating the room to prevent excessive air drying during the heating season.

Find out what is the risk of contact with mold spores of the genus Cladosporium

The choice of an air humidifier depends on our preferences and needs. It is worth considering not only the price of the device itself, but also the cost of its operation. People with respiratory problems are more likely to use steam humidifiers to purify the air.

You can also buy a selected offer of air purifiers that are available on Medonet Market. We recommend, for example, an air purifier with WiFi support, which can be controlled with a smartphone.

Air humidifier – reviews

Opinions on the operation of air humidifiers depend primarily on the preferences of the user and its purpose. Some choose an air humidifier to improve air quality, others for purely health purposes. Overall, the feedback is positive.

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