Why You Should Use a Humidifier in Winter Posted on January 21, 2022 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. Price: $219.00 Aprilaire 500M Whole House Humidifier with Manual Control Dry air in the home not only makes you uncomfortable with itchy skin, nose bleeds, and static electricity, but low humidity in the home can make you susceptib... View Product 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. Price: $949.00 Aprilaire 800 Whole House Steam Humidifier with Digital Control For applications when evaporative units are less practical, such as attics, crawl spaces, closets, areas with milder winter climates, and non-forced air heati... View Product 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! Price: $1,349.00 Aprilaire 865 Ductless Steam Humidification Package with Digital Control This ductless humidification system includes the Model 800 Humidifier, Fan Pack, Model 65 digital humidistat and Model 4028 Drain Trap. For application... View Product Mickey Luongo Mickey is the resident heating and air conditioning expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry.
