Have you noticed a change in the air quality at home or work? Do you feel as though the air is drier than usual, causing breathing difficulties or irritated skin? A lack of moisture in the air can be uncomfortable, so it may be time to invest in a humidifier.
What is a humidifier?
A humidifier puts moisture back into the air. For particularly dry environments, a humidifier will help to rebalance the air, raising levels to a healthy percentage. In dry air, your skin and eyes can become irritated, and you can suffer from discomfort. This is especially hard for people suffering from asthma and eczema, as well as other health conditions.
How does a humidifier work?
In essence, a humidifier sprays water vapour into the air, increasing the level of moisture in the room’s atmosphere, and therefore increasing the levels of humidity. The water comes from an evaporation process within the humidifier.
Although there are different functions depending on the type of humidifier you decide to purchase, the vast majority will work on the same basis. A reservoir of water is dispensed into a basin, where a wicking filter absorbs it. A fan then blows air through the filter, evaporating the water and adding moisture to the air in a misting motion. Most humidifiers will automatically self-regulate, ensuring that as the levels of humidity in a room increase, the amount of vapour being produced from the humidifier decreases at the same rate.
Different types of humidifiers
There are different types of humidifiers for you to choose from, including air cooling humidifiers and energy-efficient humidifiers, and those for both commercial and home use. Although most humidifiers perform the same function, it is important to understand the differences between various types before you take the plunge and buy a humidifier for your home or business.
What are the main types of humidifiers?
• Ultrasonic humidifiers – Vibrations are used to vaporise water, creating a humidifying effect in the room around the unit. A metal diaphragm vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency, silently creating water droplets that produce a cool fog around the humidifying unit.
• Evaporators – Air is blown past the water that is evaporating within the humidifying unit, causing humidity to increase. A wick system uses a foam wick or sheet to draw water out of the reservoir in the unit, with a fan blowing over the wick, allowing the air to absorb moisture before it is released into the surrounding air.
Impeller humidifiers – These units have rotating disks that are tasked with vaporising the water in the unit, rather than using heat. The rotating disk flings the water at a diffuser, which then breaks the water into fine droplets that like mist, float out into the air. You’ll see the droplets appear as fog when it comes out of the humidifier.
• Steam vaporisers – These units use electricity to create steam, which is then cooled before leaving the humidifier. Water is boiled and then released as fine, warm steam into the room. This is a simple process to add moisture to the surrounding air. There is a risk with using steam vaporisers, however, and you should be careful when using them around children, as they can burn skin.
• Central humidifiers – These are connected to a central air conditioning unit, adding moisture to the entire connected property, rather than just one small area or room.
The size you choose for your humidifier will of course determine how much space is affected by the process. A consoler humidifier is large enough to add moisture to the air throughout a whole office space, or a house. A personal, portable humidifier will increase humidity in the immediate vicinity and are easy to carry and move to other locations for use.
Signs you might need a humidifier
If you are suffering from the effects of dry air in your home or work, it might be time for you to invest in a humidifier. Dry air can cause all sorts of problems for your nose and lungs, worsening conditions you are already suffering from. If you are suffering from the following you will find that using a humidifier will lessen the symptoms or remove them completely:
• You suffer from a chronic runny nose
• You suffer from regular nose bleeds
• You have hay fever symptoms
• You are suffering from sinus congestion
• You are suffering from a dry throat
• Your asthma and any allergies are constantly flaring up
It is advised that you should always consult your GP to gain expert medical advice on any of these matters before purchasing a humidifier.
The benefits of humidifiers
The benefits of using a humidifier are incredible, especially for any person suffering from the conditions mentioned above.
• The biggest benefit is that it helps to lessen the effects of a dry throat and bad cough and reduces irritation to the skin as the moist air combats any dryness.
• Humidifiers may help to prevent the risk of catching flu, especially in winter months when the air is naturally dryer in enclosed spaces. It is thought that high humidity rapidly deactivates virus particles, making them less infectious.
• If you are suffering from a dry cough, increasing moisture in the air will help your airways clear any trapped, sticky phlegm that is causing you problems.
• Those who suffer from snoring (or partners of people who snore!) will find that a humidifier helps to reduce instances of snoring. Moisture in the air leads to your throat becoming less dry. A dry throat always makes snoring sound much worse.
• Your skin and hair will become moist with higher humidity in the air. During winter people often find that they suffer from dry skin, chapped lips, and dry, damaged hair that is fragile. The hot, dry air that is used to heat buildings only worsens these conditions, whilst the cold air outside causes the problem in the first place. Adding moisture to the air indoors will help to reduce instances of cracked skin.
• On top of how humidifiers can benefit you, your house or office space can also benefit from a more humid environment. Any houseplants you have will thrive with more moisture in the air, and wood floors and furniture will last longer. On top of that, humid air feels a bit warmer, which could help you to save money during the colder winter months.
Conclusion
Humidifiers are of great benefit to those people who are suffering from skin problems, respiratory concerns, and other conditions that are exacerbated by low humidity. Humidifiers, when installed and used correctly, and regularly checked and maintained, will provide a fantastic service that enhances the lives of those living or working at the property.
It is important to remember, however, that a humidifier will never treat an underlying condition that you might be suffering from. If you purchase a humidifier, your asthma won’t magically disappear. You should always seek professional medical advice, but a humidifier will often help to lessen the symptoms of such conditions. Your choice of supplier is paramount to finding the perfect humidifier that suits your needs and your location, whether for residential or commercial purposes. Eco Industry Solutions have the solution to your needs. Get in touch today to find out more.