Humidity is a very important factor to maintain comfort levels for humans. The human system is not equipped to handle extremes of humidity and constant research is on to invent humidifiers which will help maintain optimum levels of comfort at homes and offices. Where high humidity makes the human body sweaty and uncomfortable, low humidity results in dryness of both skin and mucous membranes leading to a great deal of discomfort and other illnesses.
Low Humidity – Risks Involved
Humidity levels which fall below 35% have far reaching consequences on health and surroundings. The effects range from chapped lips to asthma in the case of health and peeling wall paper to cracks in furniture, walls and floors of buildings. To prevent any damage caused by low humidity, there are a variety of humidifiers available in the market today.
Types of Humidifiers
A humidifier’s primary goal is to increase the moisture levels in a room by spurting our mist into the room. Humidifiers come in different shapes and sizes to suit the individual needs of people. The broad classification of humidifiers is
1. Evaporative Humidifiers
2. Impeller Humidifiers
3. Ultrasonic Humidifiers and
4. Warm mist Humidifiers.
Evaporative Humidifiers
The most popular and common type of humidifiers, these work by emitting cool mist into the air. The mist is propelled into the room by a fan and it passes through a wet pad or a wick filter. The water in the humidifier works two ways – it provides the cool mist to humidify the air and it traps harmful micro organisms in the water. These types of humidifiers are greatly energy efficient but require occasional cleaning.
Impeller Humidifiers
Cheaper than evaporative humidifiers, this type also dispels cool mist into the air. The mist is diffused in to the room by a fan which blows it through a diffuser. There is no filter attachment, therefore water borne micro organisms are blown into the room along with the cooling mist. To overcome this problem, it necessitates the use of distilled or demineralised water.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers
The latest offering from the humidifier industry these machines use high frequency vibrations to diffuse both warm and cool mist into the air. This choice and the fact that they are practically silent when in use make this type of humidifier the most coveted.
Warm mist Humidifiers
Ideal for cold climates, these humidifiers dispel warm mist into the room. They heat the water to a steam and this is then diffused. These humidifiers are popular to dispel medication into the room while maintaining humidity levels. These are the simplest and therefore the least expensive amongst humidifiers. They are highly recommended in cases where low humidity results in severe congestion and cough to people.
Humidifiers are available in different sizes to suit differing needs. There are table top humidifiers which are portable and which can humidify one or two rooms and there are stand alone humidifiers whose capacity to humidify is large enough to take care of an apartment. These come with casters and can therefore be moved to any part of the house.
