Raising air humidity levels to at least 30 percent can improve symptoms of breathing-related issues caused by dry air.Skin irritation caused by dry air can be relieved by humidifying the air.Wood furniture and woodwork are less likely to dry out and crack if the home’s humidity levels are kept in the target 30 to 50 percent range.Moist air feels warmer and conducts heat better. In the wintertime, humidified air will feel warmer than bone-dry air.Humidified air is great for indoor plants. Tropical houseplants, especially, will greatly appreciate air that is kept humidified.
But for a humidifier to perform these benefits, you must choose the right model, use it correctly, and keep it properly maintained. Here are 9 tips for getting the most out of your humidifier. While some issues can be alleviated through the use of a humidifier, it’s important to note that too much humidity can also be an issue. Not only can over-humid air create its own health problems, but also it can also cause damage to paint, plaster, and wallpaper. In addition, it’s important to carefully monitor the condition and cleanliness of the humidifier to avoid mold growth.
Evaporative humidifiers, also known as cool moisture humidifiers, have three parts: a reservoir for cool water, a wick that absorbs water, and a fan to distribute the humidified air. As the water from the reservoir is pulled into the wick, it evaporates into the air as vapor. The fan distributes the cool humidity so that it can fill the room. These are very affordable units, but they can be prone to mold growth in the reservoir and on the wick pad. These units generally do not produce a mist that is visible to the eye.Impeller humidifiers: This is another type of cool moisture appliance. They work by means of a rotating disc that spins at high speed to fling microscopic water droplets into the air. If overused, they may put too much moisture into the air. With this style, the water mist is often visible as it emerges from the appliance.Vapor or warm mist humidifiers: This type boils water to create steam, which immediately turns to a visible water vapor that is distributed by a fan. The advantage of a vapor humidifier is that the boiling kills mold and pathogens inside the appliance. The downside, of course, is that boiling water consumes energy and these units can cause burns if they are knocked over. Use them very cautiously when children or active pets are around.Ultrasonic humidifiers: This design puts moisture in the air by means of rapidly vibrating ceramic discs that essentially pulverize liquid water into tiny droplets that are gently blown into the air. These are usually cool-air units, though there are also elaborate models equipped that boil water or use UV light to sterilize it before it is turned into water vapor. These types generally produce a mist that you can see. These are very safe units, but they may put fine particles of minerals from the water into the air. This fine dust may settle on furniture and surfaces.Central humidifiers: Unlike the first four types, which are usually single-room humidifiers, central humidifiers are permanent features that are installed directly on your forced-air HVAC system to serve the entire house. They come in two basic operating designs: evaporative, in which water is evaporated off a rotating drum or panel wick; and steam designs, which vaporize water by boiling it, a feature that helps sterilize the vapor and kills mold and pathogens in the appliance. Central whole-house humidifiers can be quite expensive to install, but they are very effective at controlling the humidity levels throughout the house.
In general, an average bedroom is well served by a 700–900 square foot unit. A 2- or 3-gallon humidifier will usually run from 11 to 16 hours between fillings, depending on the setting. Some units are designed to allow aromatherapy oils to be added, usually in some kind of secondary reservoir or tray. That’s fine, but never try to dissolve essential oils in the water that is being vaporized. Cool mist is safer if you have safety concerns about boiling water. In bedrooms with active toddlers or rambunctious pets, there are obvious dangers to having an appliance that boils water. Within the cool mist category, simple evaporative humidifiers are less likely to put water mineral particles in the air—a possible drawback with the ultrasonic design. However, a warm mist humidifier can be considered a better choice if you are concerned about possible mold or mildew in your humidifier and might struggle to commit to regular, thorough cleanings. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning the unit, and if your model has a wick or pad, make sure to replace it at the intervals suggested. Think carefully about the features you will really use. These are not expensive appliances, but it doesn’t make sense to pay for features you don’t need. The rules are a little different if you are using a humidifier simply to control the air quality during the night. For example, some people like to humidify air in the bedroom at night to help them sleep. Or, you may want to give tropical plants a periodic blast of super-humid air. In these situations, using the appliance for “spot use” is fine. To avoid these problems, keep the air moisture levels at 30 to 50 percent, and never over 60 percent. This range is comfortable to most people and prevents most of the problems caused by too little or too much moisture in the air. Your humidifier should have a humidistat that allows you to keep the air moisture within that range.
