Why You Should Use a Humidifier in Winter

Winter time is prime season for a host of respiratory ailments. As more people tend to stay indoors, viruses like the common cold and flu tend to circulate in enclosed areas. The indoor isolation brought about by the coronavirus pandemic can only make things worse.

Apart from airborne diseases, other cold-related complaints include dry skin, nose bleeds, and shock from static electricity, which can be severely annoying when moving about at home. 

But there is one useful device that can greatly mitigate these seasonal complaints: humidifiers.

What are Humidifiers?

As the name suggests, humidifiers are devices that increase humidity, which is the amount of moisture in the air. The moisture is generated in the form of water vapors or steam to counteract the dry air brought about by the cold season.

 

The Ideal Humidity Level

Humidity varies depending on the home’s location, season and regional climate. According to the CDC, the ideal humidity level should be between 30% to 60%. In general, the summer season sees higher levels of humidity, while it tends to decrease in the winter.

This is where humidifiers come in to ensure that humidity levels don’t fall below unsafe levels during the cold months.

 

What are the Negative Effects of Low Humidity?

 X Cold and flu symptoms

The dry air can lead to signs of respiratory ailments, which can be troubling in the time of Covid-19.

 X  Dry sinuses and itchy throats

Even if you don’t develop an illness, it can still be uncomfortable for your respiratory system.

 X  Nosebleeds

Epistaxis or nosebleeds can happen when the delicate tissue in the nose called the nasal membrane dries out and gets cracked due to the heated dry air indoors.

 X Dry skin

Lack of moisture can cause skin to excessively become dry, manifesting in itchiness, blotches, or peeling.

 X Chapped lips

Apart from the respiratory system, our lips are one of the most susceptible parts of the body to moisture loss. This can result in chapping, cracking or peeling.

 X Allergy and asthma flare-ups

Pre-existing conditions can worsen as a result of the dry stale air indoors.

 X Electric shock

Moisture in the air is a natural conductor, earthing any potential static charges. Conversely, static electricity tends to build up in dry conditions, which can lead to electrostatic discharges. In layman’s terms, that nasty shock we get in winter.

 X Wood cracking

Wood becomes more vulnerable to damage, since the dry air can suck out moisture trapped in the wood, causing it to crack or split. This applies to anything made of wood, from objects and furniture to panels, walls, hardwood flooring, and even structural components made of wood. If you experience a problem closing wooden doors or notice chairs or tables becoming wobbly, there’s a good chance it was caused by overly dry air.

 

What are the Different Types of Humidifiers?

Now that we’ve outlined the importance of maintaining proper humidity, let’s explore the different kinds of humidifiers that regulate your home’s moisture levels.

1. Steam humidifiers

The most common and least expensive type, these portable units simply boil water to produce steam and increase humidity. But their low cost also means they are the least energy efficient. They can also cause burns or scalding if left unchecked.

2. Evaporators

These generate humidity by blowing air through a moistened filter. They are inexpensive, but they can only service one room at a time. In addition, the fan can also be noisy.

3. Impeller humidifiers

These use a fast-rotating disk or diffuser to cool the air, transforming stored water into a mist, hence leading to their other name “mist humidifiers”. They produce less noise than evaporative humidifiers, however the water must be changed regularly.

4. Ultrasonic

A recent development in humidifier technology, these use ultrasonic vibrations to produce mist. A diaphragm inside the unit vibrates using high-frequency sound that is not audible to the human ear. The vibration excites the stored water, turning it into fine droplets that are then blown out by a fan.

Unlike other humidifier types, ultrasonic models can switch between warm and cool mist to match the season. Others also feature antibacterial filters.

5. Central humidifiers

Central or whole house humidifiers are built directly into the house HVAC, and thus service the entire home. They are the most expensive kind, but are also the most efficient.

 

Humidifier Types Compared

Type	Size	Pros	Cons
Steam	Tabletop	Least expensive	Least efficient Can cause burns
Evaporative	Tabletop to console	Inexpensive	Can be noisy
Impeller	Tabletop to console	Less noise Child-friendly	Water must be  changed regularly Requires distilled or purified water to avoid white dust
Ultrasonic	Console	Antibacterial filter Warm or cool mist function	More expensive Requires distilled or purified water to avoid white dust
Central	Integrated with HVAC	Most efficient Professional installation	Highest cost

 

Our Recommended Whole Home Humidifiers for 2022

 

Entry level: 

Aprilaire 500M Whole House Humidifier with Manual Control

This central humidifier can accommodate homes from 750 to 3,000 sq. ft., depending on the tightness. It has an evaporative rate of 0.50gph and comes with a wall-mounted manual control system for convenient changing. It only requires simple maintenance annually, by using the built-in drain to flush out accumulated minerals.

Midlevel:

Aprilaire 800 Whole House Steam Humidifier with Digital Control

For applications where evaporative humidifiers are less practical, this central steam humidifier can do the job. It’s ideal for enclosed areas like attics, closets and crawl spaces; homes with non-forced air heating; and homes with milder winter climates.

This unit can service larger homes up to 6,200 sq. ft. and is designed to run independently from the HVAC system. Depending on electrical draw, it can adjust its capacity from as low to 11.5 gallons per day all the way up to 34.6 gallons. It can also use hard, soft or softened water.

The biggest draw is its digital control system, which accurately determines the relative humidity of the home and adjusts its settings accordingly regardless of the temperature.

Complete package:

Aprilaire 865 Ductless Steam Humidification Package with Digital Control

This package consists of the Aprilaire 800 Humidifier system, along with a Model 65 digital humidistat, Model 4028 Drain Trap, and Fan pack for a ductless humidification system. Maintenance is incredibly easy: you just need to replace the canister when the smart digital control determines it’s time for a replacement!