A humidifier is a household appliance which is used to increase the humidity of a room or an entire house. For floor use, there is the console humidifier which is encased in cabinets. There is also the portable humidifier which is smaller and can be easily moved, and the central humidifier which is built into heating and air-conditioning systems.
There are three important things to remember when using a humidifier: to use it only when conditions require, to use the correct moisture setting, and to clean it thoroughly. Over-humidification can lead to mold, dust mite and bacteria growth. The two types of humidifiers that produce the greatest dispersions of both microorganisms and minerals are: Ultrasonic humidifier, which creates a cool mist using electronic sound vibrations and the Impeller humidifier or “cool mist” which produces a cool mist by means of using a high-speed rotating disk. Two additional types of humidifiers can allow for growth of microorganisms if they are equipped with a tank that holds standing water, but disperse less pollutant into the air. These are the Evaporative humidifier which transmits moisture into the air by using a fan to blow air through a moistened absorbent material such as a belt, wick or filter; and the Steam Vaporizer humidifier which creates steam by heating water with an electrical heating element for electrodes. An example of this is the “warm mist” humidifier in which the steam is cooled before it exits the machine.
The National Institutes of Health recommends the use of humidifiers to help people get relief from congestion which is brought about by common cold, flu and sinus infections. A humidifier can add moisture to the air which will in turn moisten the skin in the nasal passages and thin some of the mucous in the sinuses. This will allow them to breathe and it will be easier for the mucous to drain. Keeping the humidifier clean and properly maintained can help create an environment free of microorganisms that are harmful to one’s health. To clean a portable humidifier, it is important to empty the tank, wipe all surfaces and refill the water daily to reduce any growth of microorganisms. For console humidifiers, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Humidifiers come with Digital humidistat which gives an indication of the level of the room’s humidity. The best humidifier shuts off automatically when the required level of humidity is reached. For more information about humidifiers and their uses, visit www.humidifiers.com.
