Dry throat, cough, difficulty breathing, dry skin and even deteriorated furniture. Did you know that low humidity causes all of this? And it is precisely to solve this problem that air humidifiers exist.
But this appliance has many other advantages. Want to know more? So stay here in this post with us and we’ll tell you what the air humidifier is for and how you can make the best use of it.
What is the air humidifier for
It may even seem a bit obvious, since the name of the device is a great indication of its function, but it does not cost to detail a little more.
The air humidifier serves to make the air more humid and, consequently, more “breathable”. The World Health Organization warns that the humidity of the air must always be kept at safe levels, around 60% to 80%. Rates below 40% are already worrying and harmful to health.
Therefore, the air humidifier plays a fundamental role in the health of the residents of the house, especially in the hotter and drier regions or in environments where the use of air conditioning is constant. It is also worth remembering that the air humidifier is also highly recommended in large cities that suffer from air pollution.
The air humidifier regulates the internal humidity of the environments, always keeping it at levels suitable for health.
Benefits of air humidifier
The air humidifier is a great companion not only in the driest periods of the year. The function of the device goes much further than that. Just take a look at how much it can be useful for.
1. Relieves flu and cold symptoms
The air humidifier improves flu and cold symptoms, especially coughing and a dry throat. The use of the device is also indicated to prevent the disease, since the dry air is ideal for the proliferation of viruses and bacteria.
2. Improves allergic conditions
Those who suffer from rhinitis, sinusitis and breathing problems, such as asthma and bronchitis, also benefit greatly from air humidifiers.
The moisture released by the device facilitates the passage of air through the respiratory tract, even helping to reduce mucus.
3. It reduces snoring and helps in the treatment of sleep apnea
The air humidifier is also very suitable for those who have problems with snoring and sleep apnea. This is because the moisture hydrates the airways, reducing the intensity of snoring and the symptoms of dry throat that harm especially those suffering from sleep apnea.
4. Prevents nosebleeds
Dry air is conducive to the appearance of nosebleeds and the air humidifier can be a great ally for those who suffer from this problem.
5. Improves sleep quality
Adequate air humidity contributes to a quality night’s sleep, this applies to both babies and children, as well as adults.
So if you want to sleep better, consider using a humidifier.
6. Favors skin and hair
Skin and hair also appreciate the good humidity levels in the air. On dry days, for example, it is natural for the skin to become dry and the hair to show frizz. To improve this condition, the air humidifier is a great ally.
7. Protects furniture and walls
Did you know that low air humidity can deteriorate furniture, works of art, musical instruments, in addition to causing the paint to peel off the wall? That’s right!
To take better care of your home and property, an air humidifier is also recommended.
Types of air humidifier
Is air humidifier all the same? No! There are countless models manufactured by different brands, but that is not all that differentiates one device from the other. The following are the most common types of air humidifier on the market:
Hot air humidifier
The hot air humidifier, also known as vaporizer, is indicated for cold environments, but it is not recommended for those who have allergic problems, since hot steam can induce the presence of mold and the proliferation of bacteria in the air.
Care must also be taken with children and pets, as the device may cause burns.
In this type of humidifier, the water is heated by releasing steam into the environment and, consequently, causing an increase in air humidity.
Cold air humidifier
Cold air humidification is the most common and used, especially here in Brazil, considering that in addition to humidifying the environment, the device also helps to improve the thermal sensation when distributing cold air throughout the house.
Cold air humidifiers are also known as ultrasonic, thanks to the technology used in the transformation of water into steam.
Central humidifier
The central humidifiers are those coupled with the air conditioning and serve precisely to improve the dryness of these devices.
Ultrasonic humidifier
The ultrasonic air humidifier is currently one of the best humidifier options on the market, as it uses cold air to improve air humidity levels.
That is, it is not necessary to heat the water, as the ultrasonic technology turns the water into a mist of moisture.
Difference between vaporizer and humidifier
Basically, the big difference between vaporizer and humidifier is the way the steam or mist is produced.
In the vaporizer, the water comes to a boiling point (boil) and the steam generated by heating is released into the air by the appliance.
In the humidifier, the « steam » is obtained from ultrasonic technology, where there is no need to heat the water. What the device releases into the air is called a cold air mist.
Both devices have the characteristic of improving the air humidity, however, the cold air humidifier (ultrasonic) is healthier because it prevents the proliferation of bacteria and the appearance of mold and mildew in the rooms of the house, unlike the vaporizer.
How to use air humidifier
The air humidifier should be used for a maximum of 4 or 6 hours in a row, more than that can be harmful, since moisture tends to accumulate on walls and furniture increasing the likelihood of mold and mildew in the house.
Most models of air humidifiers have a sensor capable of measuring the humidity in the environment. Thus, when the humidity reaches the recommended levels (above 60%), the device switches off automatically.
Another important recommendation is to keep the air humidifier at least two meters from the bed. It is not advisable to keep the device very close to people.
Air humidifier care and cleaning
For you to achieve the maximum efficiency of your humidifier device, it is essential to take some precautions and always follow the cleaning recommendations. Check out:
- The water in the humidifier should be changed frequently, preferably every day or, at the most, every two days. This is important to avoid contamination by bacteria.
- Always use filtered water in the humidifier. Tap water contains heavy metals, such as chlorine and fluorine, which are harmful to health when inhaled.
- Never use reuse water in the humidifier. Remember that this water will be inhaled by you and your family.
- Clean the humidifier as often as you change the water. In fact, it is recommended to do the cleaning whenever the water is changed. In this case, just unplug the appliance and clean it by removing the dirt plates. The ideal is to use 3% hydrogen peroxide for cleaning, a product easily found in pharmacies. But if you don’t have this solution at home, just use neutral detergent to clean the humidifier. Avoid the use of aggressive chemicals that can contaminate the air, such as disinfectants, for example.
- If your humidifier has a filter, remember to change it frequently to ensure air quality.
- Keep the humidifier at least three feet from the floor. This helps moisture to spread evenly throughout the environment.
- If you forget the humidifier turned on for many hours, open the windows and doors wide so that the room can ventilate.
How to choose the air humidifier
With so many models of air humidifier on sale there is nothing more natural that you end up in doubt which device to buy.
The tip, in this case, is always to consider the model with the best cost benefit for your needs.
For example, if your environment is large, the most interesting thing is to have a humidifier with greater water capacity in the reservoir.
Also prefer models with sensors capable of measuring the humidity of the air and switch off automatically.
Nowadays, ultrasonic humidifiers are the ones with the best cost benefit. Just to give you an idea, a good quality air humidifier with a capacity of 2.5 liters of water costs around R $ 206 on sites like Amazon and Mercado Livre.
An investment that pays (and a lot) for the health of the whole family.
