Humidifiers are the only way to combat dry air and its numerous side effects. Dry air is a special problem in countries where the temperatures fall so steeply that the cold sucks the moisture out of the air. Not only is dry air a reason for many skin and breathing disorders, it also has a detrimental effect on buildings and furniture. To handle these problems it is essential that homes and work places be fit with humidifiers to make life more comfortable. There are many different types of humidifiers in the market but it is necessary to gauge which type would be ideally suited before any purchase is made.
Check Household Humidity Levels
This is the first step to decide on the right humidifier. One needs to know the moisture levels in the area that needs to be humidified and this can be done with a hygrometer. The recommended level of humidity is 35 to 45% and if the average is lesser than this then a humidifier is very essential.
What type of Humidifier should one Opt for?
It is essential that the right type of humidifier be chosen. There are two broad types – cool mist or warm mist dispelling- types. A cool mist humidifier dispels a cool mist into the room by passing water over a wick to add to the moisture levels in the room while a warm mist humidifier vaporizes water by boiling it and releasing steam into the room. Both require occasional cleaning but warm mist humidifiers also run the risk of scalding or burning. So if small children are involved, it is better to choose a cool mist humidifier.
What Style of Humidifier is required?
The area that a humidifier should cover is vital to deciding which humidifier to buy. There are personal humidifiers which work in a small place and console models which cover a larger area. If one intends to humidify the entire house then a whole house flow through by pass unit can be chosen. This can be installed in the duct system so that the entire house may be humidified whenever the heating or the cooling systems are on.
What Size is Optimal?
If a humidifier is to work properly, then its size has to be proportional to the room it has to humidify. For a small area like bedrooms or study rooms, personal humidifiers which cover an area of about 700 sq. ft. is ideal. Buying a large humidifier for a small room will be detrimental as condensation could occur resulting in bacterial build up and mildew creation.
What about Refilling?
This is a factor that needs to be addressed as water- distill water – is the primary ingredient involved in the humidification process. Sizes are dependent on the water tank capacity and a portable 1 litre humidifier will require refilling once in 8 hours. If the humidity levels are very low and static electricity very high, then water consumption will be higher. All these issues will have to factor in before purchasing an ideal humidifier.