November 10, 2010
Revised November 9, 2010. Copyright © 2010 Dealhack.com. All Rights
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Air
Humidifiers bring the moisture back into your home or office; on
the other hand, air dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air.
Winter months often bring dry, itchy skin and eyes. Heating systems
severely dry out the air in our homes and offices and cause us to feel
dry, too. Dry air can cause cold-like symptoms and physical discomfort.
Eliminate Symptoms Related to Dry Air
Optimal humidity levels range between 25% and 55% relative humidity.
Low humidity can cause cold-like symptoms as well as other
uncomfortable issues. Some issues may not be completely eliminated, but
an air humidifier can help reduce symptoms of:
Sinus Headaches
Dry Skin
Dry, Brittle Hair
Dry, Itchy Eyes
Dry, Cracked Lips
Sneezing
Coughing
Sore Throat
Nose Bleeds
Sinus infections are also often blamed on dry air. The sinuses become
dried out and irritated when they don't receive enough moisture from
the air. Sinus issues you experience during winter months may not be a
cold after all.
Dehumidifiers are most popular during the summer and in areas with a
naturally high humidity rate. Too much humidity can cause issues like
mold and bacterial growth. It's very important to test the humidity
level in your area before buying either a humidifier or a dehumidifier.
Types of Humidifiers
There are several types of humidifiers on the market. Knowing the type
you need makes choosing much easier.
Cool Mist Evaporative Humidifier: This is the most common type. This
humidifier has a wick filter, sometimes called a wicking filter, in the
bottom of the unit. The filter absorbs water from the attached
container. Dry air is pulled through the filter, evaporating the water
within. Mist released from this unit is cool, causing the room to feel
cooler. The filter traps impurities in the water, so the humidified air
is clean.
Warm Mist Humidifier: Heating elements in the base of this unit boil
water and release it into the air as steam. The mist released from a
warm mist humidifier is, as the name suggests, warm. This type of unit
makes the room feel warmer. Minerals from the water are left in the
water storage container after the water has been boiled away.
Ultrasonic
Humidifier: These are simply the quietest type of humidifier
available. Many user reviews go as far as to say they are nearly
silent. High frequency sound waves are used to vibrate a metal
diaphragm and break water into an ultra-fine vapor mist. Any impurities
in the water are released into the air with the mist. Demineralization
cartridges are available to reduce impurities in the air, but they are
not 100% effective.
Cool Mist Impeller Humidifier: A high-speed disc spins water toward a
diffuser which breaks the water down into droplets that are released
into the air as mist. Minerals and impurities in the water will be
released into the room as a fine mist. Distilled water will help
prevent issues including "white dust," which is described as a fine
layer of dust surrounding the humidifier. White dust is simply the
impurities from the water that have fallen to the surrounding area.
UV Germ Free Humidifier: UV germ-free technology uses ultraviolet light
to kill bacteria, germs and viruses in the water. UV technology is
available in both warm mist and cool mist humidifiers.
Top-Fill Humidifier: Unlike humidifiers with removable tanks that are
carried to the water source to be filled, a top-fill humidifier doesn't
have a tank. You may use your own water container to carry water to the
unit as needed. A top-fill humidifier is perfect for people with
arthritis or problems lifting.
Choosing an Air Humidifier
The type of humidifier and the size of the room needing more humidity
are the primary factors to consider when you plan to buy a humidifier.
Now that we've covered the types of humidifiers, let's look at some of
the top-selling brands.
Air-O-Swiss 7144 Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier: This unit
received an overall rating of 4.8 stars of a possible 5 stars in every
review we found. It was often rated best in category. Room coverage is
650 sq ft and it holds 1.5 gallons of water. It has an LCD display and
a hygrometer that some users say occasionally wavers before giving
accurate readings. The only downfall to this unit was the need to
replace the ionic silver stick and demineralization cartridge. This
unit retails for around $200.
Germ Guardian Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier: Consistent 4.5
stars out of a possible 5 stars, this unit holds 1.4 gallons and
provides coverage for a 400 sq ft room. It features an LCD display and
manual dial. It retails for about $130.
Stadler Form William Ultrasonic Cool and Warm Mist Humidifier: This
sleek looking unit covers a 1,000 sq ft room and holds 1.5 gallons of
water. It features a hygrostat, ionic silver cube and anti-calcium
cartridge. The only con was that the ionic silver cube and anti-calcium
cartridge needed to be replaced periodically. This unit retails for
about $230.
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