Finding The Right Room Humidifiers For Your Home
John Elrow
A room humidifier can relieve the symptoms associated with air
that is too dry. Low humidity levels are common in the winter.
Heating the house makes the air even drier. Low humidity levels
are a year round problem in dry climates. Dry air robs the skin
and hair of moisture. This causes dry, itchy skin and is a
bigger problem for people with dry skin. The skin becomes scaly
looking and rough to the touch. People with sensitive skin or
eczema have the most problem with low humidity levels in
winter.
Dry air can cause health problems as well. Your nasal passages
and throat to become dry. Most people find this most noticeable
in the morning. If your sore throat gets better during the day,
only to return in the early morning, dry air is most likely the
cause. Adding humidity to the room can help relieve your
symptoms and help you get a better night's sleep.
Types of Room Humidifiers
A Steam Humidifier or Vaporizer uses hot water. This can be
hazardous in homes with small children. The benefit of these is
the boiling water kills bacteria and mold spores.
Warm mist humidifiers also use steam, but the air is cooled
before being released into the room. The air can pick up
bacteria in the cooling process and isn't as efficient at
killing germs as steam models.
Cool Mist Humidifiers use cold water and release a fine pure
mist into the room. Bacteria is most common in these
humidifiers. Many contain humidifier filters that are meant to
trap bacteria and mold. The best choice is a model with a HEPA
filter. The filters must be changed regularly because they can
become clogged with impurities from your water. To prevent
particles from clogging the filter, use distilled water.
Potential Dangers of Humidifiers
Humidifiers can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus,
if you aren't careful. Bacteria inside the unit can be released
into the air and breathed into the lungs. This is especially
dangerous for people with asthma and allergies. The bacteria
can make you sick, even if you don't have one of these
conditions.
The standing water is the main source of illness. Mold spores
grow in standing water and are then released into the air when
the machine is turned on. Mineral dust from the minerals in
your water is another problem. This can be seen as white dust
inside the machine. These particles are released in the air and
can pose problems, depending on the elements and minerals
present in your water supply. One way to prevent this problem
is to use only distilled water.
Maintaining the correct level of humidity in the room will help
prevent problems with mold and mildew. The acceptable range for
humidity is between 30 and 50%. Mold breeds in levels above
fifty percent and flourishes at sixty percent moisture. Invest
in a hygrometer to measure and keep track. A built in
humidistat is a great feature and allows you to set the machine
with the level you want. When the room reaches the level, it
will shut off automatically.
Cleaning and Maintaining Humidifiers
Proper cleaning can prevent illness caused by humidifiers.
Regular cleaning is essential and instructions are included
from the manufacturer to show you the right way to clean your
machine. The water should be changed daily to prevent bacteria
and mold spores from developing. Empty the water after each
use, rinse the reservoir with fresh water and dry thoroughly.
Do this every time you turn it off to keep germs away.
Clean the machine according to the manufacturer's directions.
During times of heavy use, disinfect the machine regularly. If
you use a disinfectant, be sure to rinse it thoroughly until
all residue is removed and dry it completely. This will avoid
problems with chemical vapors in the air. You should disinfect
and wash the machine thoroughly at the beginning and end of the
season.
About The Author: John Elrow writes very often for the tips and
tricks section of http://www.humidifier-tips.com . John is
specializing in subjects like room humidifiers
http://www.humidifier-tips.com/room-humidifiers.html and air
purifiers.
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