Air Purifiers versus Humidifiers

Basics

• Air purifiers are used to filter the air in your home and in doing so to clean it. They remove smoke, dust and many allergens. The do not, however, add moisture or alter the humidity in any way. Air humidifiers are used to add moisture to the air, increasing the ambient humidity. Increasing the humidity can have beneficial health effects.

Purifiers

• Air purifiers typically come in the form of small towers that suck in indoor air pollutants. They use either mechanical filtration or electrical filtration. Purifiers that work by mechanical filtration use a semi-permeable filter screen to trap particles in air that passes through it. The filter screen is disposed of and replaced when it reaches capacity. Electrical purifiers, also known as ionizers, create negative charges on passing particles, which then settle and stick to a solid surface, where they can be wiped away.

Humidifiers

• There are four basic types of humidifiers. Ultrasonic models use tiny vibrations on a disc to turn water into a fine mist, while impeller-driven humidifiers spin a disc to produce a similar result. Ultrasonic models are typically quieter than their impeller-driven counterparts. Steam humidifiers heat water with a heating element that turns it into a fine steam, adding both moisture and warmth to the surrounding environment. Evaporative humidifiers run water droplets through a fan that breaks the water down into a cool mist.

Uses

• Air purifiers are used to remove allergens like pet dander and pollutants like smoke. Their function is to thoroughly clean the air, which can be beneficial to those with sensitive respiratory systems or severe allergies. Some purifiers produce ozone, however, which the Environmental Protection Agency has stated could cause respiratory inflammation. Humidifiers do not clean the air and are used only to moisturize it. Increasing your home's relative humidity can reduce the risk of dry skin or respiratory problems during arid times of the year as well as reduce the amount of static electricity in your home, which can keep wood from cracking.