Ten Reasons for Using Humidifiers

A humidifier is one of the electronics products that are gaining newfound popularity in Indian middle-class families. Though incredibly beneficial in avoiding some respiratory problems, dry skin, associated problems, bloody noses, etc., there are also some downsides. This article shall discuss the various benefits of this tool before exploring other questions relating to it.

Top 10 Reasons and Benefits of Using a Humidifier

As its name indicates, humidifiers act toward increasing the humidity, and they do so by artificially adding humidity to the air. There are several benefits of using humidifiers; these include the following:

1. Preventing the dryness of the skin. Dry skin can cause several problems. Using humidifiers is one of the best ways of maintaining skin hydration.
2. Preventing dryness in one’s airways and throats is often a result of low humidity and can make these passages sore.
3. Avoid allergies of several kinds as long as humidity is maintained at the correct levels.
4. Avoiding irritation in the eyes that results from dry air.
5. Avoiding nose bleeds is another consequence of pressure created by dry air.
6. Avoiding cracked lips.
7. It keeps respiratory problems from getting worse.
8. Protection against flu.
9. It can be helpful if one has a cough by keeping the throat from getting dry. More phlegm comes out, as a result, thus accelerating the recovery.
10. Good for plants, particularly those that love moisture. It will be like an automatic way of watering them.

The above list of benefits is by no means exhaustive, but it should convince anyone of the value of humidifiers. Also, check out our article on the health benefits of turmeric in detail here!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are several questions people ask that relate to humidifiers. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this subject:

Question: Are there different types of humidifiers? How are they different from one another?

Answer: Yes, there are several types of humidifiers. The following are some of the broad categories.

While most humidifiers have the same primary function, to add moisture to the air, many types are available:

• Steam vaporizers: The steam vaporizers will use electricity. They need it to create steam through heating, which will cool before it leaves the unit. Due to heat, there is a risk of burns involved when using them. The risk is doubly high if there are children around.
• Ultrasonic humidifiers: These humidifiers don’t use electricity. Instead, they use vibrations to vaporize the water.
• Evaporators: As everyone knows, water evaporates at room temperature, and winds can accelerate the princess. Evaporators use this principle – they blow air (to create a wind-like effect) to accelerate the evaporation of water.
• Impeller humidifiers: Impeller humidifiers are the most child-friendly humidifiers available. They use rotating disks to vaporize water.
• Central humidifiers: These humidifiers can connect to the central air conditioning of the house or office and, from there, add moisture to the entire space.

Further, humidifiers also vary based on size. While console humidifiers can be significant in size and powerful enough to add moisture to an entire house or office, personal humidifiers aren’t as prominent. Instead, they are compact and portable, thus coming with the added advantage of being easy to carry.

Question: What are some of the risks associated with humidifiers?

Answer: The following are some of the risks associated with humidifiers:

• Certain types of humidifiers can be dangerous to use, especially around children. If the space humidifier is supposed to serve is likely to see a lot of children, it is better to go for one of the child-friendly versions.
• It is dangerous to use humidifiers with dirty water; such dirt can cause breathing and other problems. The danger can be easily avoided by following the manufacturer’s instructions regarding changing water, cleaning the humidifier, and changing the filters. Using tap water in humidifiers can result in breathing problems too.
• Dirty humidifiers can often become breeding grounds for germs, especially if there is water inside them for long.
• People might get stream burns if the humidifiers are using heat for vaporization.
• The walls of the house may get moldy.
• Using tap water in humidifiers can increase their wear and tear and reduce their life.
• People allergic to molds and dirt might worsen their conditions by using humidifiers. Most common allergens tend to thrive in humid conditions.
• People with asthma might also suffer from the use of humidifiers.

Question: What are some of the tips for using a humidifier?

Answer: The following tips can come in handy when using a humidifier:

• One should try to keep track of humidity levels at all times.
• One must change the water of the humidifier regularly. Always use only distilled or purified water that does not contain minerals for the purpose.
• It is also essential to clean the humidifier regularly.
• There will be instructions about changing filters, and one should make a point of following them. Also, follow any other instructions that the manufacturer may have provided.
• One must also exercise caution when using a humidifier in a home with children, particularly toddlers. That is particularly so in the case of stream vaporizers. If one’s house has children, impeller humidifiers might be a more secure choice.
• Everyone, including children, should avoid coming too close to humidifiers.
• Those allergic to molds or dust should avoid using humidifiers.
• People with asthma should also avoid using humidifiers.
• People using a humidifier should ensure that the humidity is maintained correctly. They will need a humidity meter, or hygrometer, in the room. Some modern humidifiers have built-in technologies for measuring humidity too.

Question: What are the right levels of humidity? Why are they important?

Answer: Humidity is good only in the right quantity, and it should not be too much or too little. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is best to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent, and anything above 60 percent is too high. High humidity can make one sweaty, encourage the growth of allergens, and spoils walls, among other risks.

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them in the comments below.

The Bottom Line

One can quickly wrap up the above discussion by concluding that humidifier can be handy tools, especially in areas with low humidity issues, as long as one takes the necessary precautions.