Humidifiers & Air Purifiers

Types of Humidifiers

• The basic format of a humidifier involves a receptacle for water and a fan that turns that water into moisture, which it expels into the air. Steam or warm mist humidifiers heat the water inside in order to turn it into steam and disperse it into the air. You can also add allergy medications such as vapor rubs to this type of humidifier. They are inexpensive but use a lot of energy, and the hot steam they give off may be dangerous for young children if they get too close to it, according to achooallergy.com. Cool mist humidifiers use a diffuser to disperse water droplets into the air. They can be subject to mineral buildup and bacteria from stagnant water, but they use far less energy than a steam humidifier and they are cool to the touch.

Types of Air Purifiers

• According to the EPA, there are two main types of air purifiers for particle removal: mechanical air filters and electronic air cleaners. Mechanical air filters, such as HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters, trap particles in the air by passing them through a filter. The particle-filled air goes into the filter and clean air comes back out and passes into the room. Electronic air cleaners pull air inside an ionization chamber where they charge the air particles and trap them inside the chamber.

Benefits

• According to achooallergy.com, "humidity levels in the home are an important component of relieving allergy and asthma systems through environmental control." When the air is dry--particularly during winter months--asthma and allergy sufferers may benefit from increased indoor humidity levels. Humidifiers also help lower heating costs in a home, because the added humidity in the air makes the house feel warmer without increasing the actual temperature in the home.

  The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website states that "indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks." They advocate using screens to bring fresh outdoor air into the home to remedy this, but they also acknowledge that this isn't always a possibility. In that case, they advise, "an air cleaning device may be useful."

Negative Aspects

• Humidifiers can collect mold and mildew inside their chambers if not properly cleaned. You should always change the water in a humidifier each day and clean it out regularly, allowing it to dry out occasionally. Using mineral water in a humidifier can cause mineral dust to enter the air and settle on surfaces around the humidifier; to avoid this, use distilled water in the humidifier instead.

  Air purifiers can be very expensive. The EPA reminds consumers that the initial cost of an air purifier is only the beginning, as you also have to pay for their maintenance (including new filters), repair and electrical usage. Sometimes the ion generator style of air purifiers also soil walls and other surfaces as they remove pollutants from the air and deposit them onto these surfaces. In general, air filters can only clean the circulating air; but if any allergens are already settled in a home, they will not pass through the filter and will therefore continue to irritate the person living in the home.

Further Discussion

• Humidifiers may be beneficial for some people who suffer from allergies or who have difficulty keeping their homes properly humid and warm. Air purifiers may also provide benefits for allergy sufferers, and in general consumers may find improved air quality overall as a result of owning an air purifier. However, neither of these products provides guaranteed results or health benefits; therefore, consumers should weigh the costs of the equipment and the required maintenance against any possible health benefit they might find.