Why get a humidifier? What’s the point of incorporating a device into your never-ending list of home appliances that elevates humidity? Seems hokey. What does a humidifier do, actually, and how does it work?
You have happened upon the perfect article to answer all of your humidifier questions. In this article we will address the following topics:
- What does a humidifier do?
- What are the types of humidifiers?
- Why get a humidifier? (including a full list of humidifier benefits)
- How to keep a humidifier squeaky-clean
What Does a Humidifier Do?
So, what does a humidifier do exactly? How does it work?
A humidifier is a device that releases mist into the surrounding environment to elevate relative humidity (RH) levels.
Low humidity levels can negatively impact your home, your health, and the health of your loved ones. Low humidity can lead to a bevy of problems including allergy and asthma triggers, dry and itchy skin and scalp, increased susceptibility to bacterial or viral infections, and much more.
The optimal home humidity levels range between 40% and 60% for maximum health benefits. When levels drop below 40%, the aforementioned symptoms of low humidity will start to appear. When humidity levels exceed 60%, the excess moisture creates a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, which can be equally harmful to your health and well-being.
Before we dive into the benefits of a humidifier and answer your burning question: “Why should I get a humidifier?” Let’s look at the different types of humidifiers and how they each contribute to increased levels of humidity.
The Types of Humidifiers
There are two primary categories of humidifiers: the cool mist humidifier and the warm mist humidifier or vaporizer. Cool mist humidifiers include both ultrasonic humidifiers and evaporative humidifiers while warm mist humidifiers or vaporizers are a complete category.
Cool Mist Humidifiers
Cool mist humidifiers release cool mist into the environment with a slight chilling effect to the surrounding air. Cool mist humidifiers include both ultrasonic humidifiers and evaporative humidifiers.
Ultrasonic humidifiers operate by vibrating a metal diaphragm at ultrasonic speed creating microscopic water droplets, which are released into the room as a mist. Evaporative humidifiers, on the other hand, draw air from the room into the device, run the air through a moistened wick, and fan the newly hydrated air into the room as a cooled mist.
Warm Mist Humidifiers or Vaporizers
Warm mist humidifiers or vaporizers release warm vapor into a room through a process of boiling water. A warm mist humidifier heats up the water in the device water tank to its boiling point creating a vapor, which is fanned into the room. This type of humidifier can slightly elevate room temperatures and is well-loved during the freezing temperatures of the winter months.
Canopy Humidifier
Canopy Humidifier is a mistless, evaporative humidifier that releases purely hydrated air into the environment creating a category of its own. Canopy Humidifier is an anti-mold humidifier with embedded UV lights in the device that kills 99.9% of bacteria and mold that can grow in the water tank. Any lingering contaminants are trapped by the disposable paper filter before the hydrated air is released into your home.
Why Get a Humidifier?
Now that you can successfully answer the question: What Does a Humidifier Do? You may wonder whether a humidifier is worth the investment.
What exactly are the benefits of a humidifier and why get a humidifier for your home? The answer is simple: humidifiers, when used regularly and well-maintained, can provide ample benefits to you and your family. In fact, the benefits of a humidifier in your home are far reaching and include (but are not limited to):
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Achieve healthy, hydrated skin and improve the appearance of skin aging including: fine lines, wrinkles, and Crow’s Feet.
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Improves congestion, runny nose, and a dry or sore throat, which are common side effects of dry indoor air.
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Reduce the survival rate of airborne viruses and bacteria including COVID-19 for a healthier home.
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Improves the symptoms of a common cold or the flu, boost immunity, and expedite recovery time.
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Improves allergy symptoms and reduces potential allergens in the home.
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Improves asthma symptoms, reduces asthma triggers, and improves breathing quality of asthmatics.
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Improve breathing and congestion in newborns and infants with an immature respiratory system.
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Increases the longevity of your houseplants, in turn, improving indoor air quality with amplified oxygen content.
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Reduce total static electricity in your home all year long.
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Improve the health and quality of your wood furnishings, furniture, flooring, and more.
3 Tips to Keep a Humidifier Squeaky Clean
A key component to humidifier use is device maintenance. Keeping your humidifier squeaky clean is important to reap the many benefits of elevated humidity. Here are a few tips to keep your humidifier squeaky clean.
Tip #1: Make sure to use the proper water in your device’s water tank.
Most humidifiers require distilled water in the water tank to avoid bacteria and grime buildup in the water tank. Make sure to check your humidifier device manual for information on the type of water that you need for your specific device.
Canopy Humidifier does not require distilled water for efficient operation. In fact, you can use water from your faucet, the tap, or any other water source that is most convenient. The embedded UV lights and paper filter prevent any minerals or bacteria found in tap water from entering the hydrated air released from your Canopy Humidifier.
Tip #2: Deep clean your device once per week.
Deep cleaning your humidifier device will ensure the maximum benefits of humidifier use. Check your device manual for specific steps on how to clean your device. For a detailed overview of how to clean your humidifier, you can read our blog How to Clean a Humidifier.
Tip #3: Replace your filter every 30 or 60 days depending on your device maintenance requirements.
If your humidifier device has a disposable filter, check your device manual for a replacement timeline. Most disposable filters require replacement every 30 or 60 days. A fresh filter will ensure clean, bacteria-free moisture enters your home environment.
