Moisture is good for us, but not just for us. It’s good for plants too.
Homeowners are always looking for ways to improve the air quality inside their homes.
Humidifiers are extremely effective at improving the air quality inside of your house. They add and regulate the amount of moisture in your indoor air to minimize health issues and to make your indoor space more comfortable during the dry season.
In this short article, we take a look at 20 things a humidifier can help you achieve in your home.
Some of these will surprise you – so read on!
1. Protect Sensitive Lips and Skin
When the weather is dry, and the air inside your house runs at full force, humidity levels can fall to as low as 20%.
Dry air inside your home can cause serious irritation to your skin and lips.
When dehydrated, your skin and lips lose moisture and become chafed. While the use of lip balms and moisturizers can help reverse the damage. But using a humidifier in the beginning, will prevent the skin from becoming irritated in the first place.
2. Protect Your Throat
Your throat’s interior and vocal cords can become dry and scratchy if exposed to an indoor environment with a lot of dry air. If these conditions persist for long, you will develop constant throat irritation, and your voice will become raspy.
The risks can be dangerous and unhealthy for people recently exposed to a virus such as the common cold or flu.
Ensuring optimal humidity levels inside your home by using a humidifier can soothe your throat and minimize the risk of infection.
The humidifier will help prevent dryness while preventing inflammation in the voice box.
3. Prevent The Spread of Germs
A recent National Academy of Sciences (NAS) study found that the flu virus is more easily transmitted in dry air. Because of the recent COVID-2019 pandemic, you must protect yourself from the virus inside the house.
One excellent way to keep your airways moist is by using a humidifier. A humidifier can help slow the spread of viruses in your air.
4. Soothe Dry Sinuses
Dry air is believed to be one of the main causes of sinus irritation, especially in the winter.
Excessively low humidity can be dangerous for your sinuses and cause nose discomfort, headaches, sinus pressure, and even bloody noses.
Moisture is a proven way to help clear out your nose and ensure the mucus is flowing.
Clogged noses can cause difficulty in breathing and headaches, so they should be taken care of right away.
5. Reduce Symptoms of The Flu
We know just how difficult it can be to deal with flu. You’re bed-ridden, have a painful headache, a stuffed nasal passageway, and a fever.
Other symptoms that come from flu include difficulty breathing, a dry throat, and an itchy nose. Humidifiers can help prevent these symptoms while keeping you healthy and safe from illness.
6. Reduce Snoring
Dry air can greatly exacerbate snoring and sleep apnea.
When you sleep, your body is usually breathing out through your mouth. The dry air inside the house causes your nose to become swollen and congested at night.
When this happens, the airflow through your nose is restricted, and you start to breathe through your mouth and snort in the process.
A humidifier can help keep dryness out of your home while reducing snoring.
7. Keep Your Cilium Healthy
Your mucosa cilia consist of microscopic cellular strands inside your nasal cavity. They form the first layer of protection in your immune system, keeping you safe from many diseases.
If the air you breathe is too dry and full of pollutants, your cilia will become clogged and unable to do their job properly. You may be even more susceptible to contracting viruses and influenza when you’re sick.
A dehumidifier humidifies the air, reducing the chance of compromising your cilia.
8. Keep Your Home Warm
During the winter, having a humidifier in your home can regulate the temperature and make it feel warmer.
As we all recall from High School Science, the drier the air, the more your body will evaporate perspiration and the colder you will feel.
A humidifier will allow you to feel warmer inside by adding moisture to the air. This dual role by a humidifier helps you save the additional costs you would’ve had to spend on a heating system.
9. Protect Your Furniture and Floors
All wooden elements inside the house, including your furniture, flooring, trim, and walls, react negatively to low humidity levels. Dry air can lead to cracks and splits in wood furniture.
Therefore, you need proper humidity control in your home so that your wooden furnishings and floors don’t crack.
This is especially important in older homes.
10. Protect Your Plants
If you have plants in your home, then you’d want suitable conditions inside your home for them to grow well.
Most house plants are grown naturally in the wild, where there is abundant moisture in the air. Dry air isn’t good for plants because it leads to stunted growth, leaves falling off, and dry leaf tips.
If you want to improve the quality of your indoor garden, then you need to use a humidifier. Create an indoor environment that allows plants to thrive and be happy and healthy.
Other Benefits of Using A Humidifier
A humidifier is a great investment if you live in a dry climate. However, there are other benefits to using one besides simply feeling better. Here are some of the other reasons why you should consider buying a humidifier:
1. Reduce Dust Mites
Dust mites thrive in dry environments. These tiny creatures produce allergens that can trigger asthma attacks or allergic reactions. By providing moist air throughout your home, you’ll reduce the number of dust mites present.
2. Improve Air Quality
Another benefit of having a humidifier is that it improves indoor air quality. You’ll be less likely to get sick because of poor air quality.
3. Save Money
The most obvious reason to buy a humidifier is that they cost very little compared to the money you could potentially save on energy bills. Studies show that an average household with a humidifier uses up to 40% less electricity than those without.
4. Prevent Mold Growth
Mold grows best in damp areas. If you have a humidifier, you’ll prevent mold growth in your home.
5. Minimize Asthma Attacks
Allergies often trigger asthma attacks, and allergens spread more easily in drier air. Having a humidifier around to keep things moist will help prevent these attacks.
6. Improve Your Mood
Humidity levels affect our moods as well. A humidifier allows you to work comfortably indoors, increasing productivity.
7. Make Your Guests More Comfortable
Humidifiers make your home more comfortable. They also add a nice touch to your living space.
8. Ensure Healthy Hair
Hair tends to become brittle and frizzy when it’s exposed to low humidity levels. Moist air makes hair soft and shiny.
9. Happier and Healthier Pets
Pets suffer from respiratory diseases and issues, too. Keeping their environment moist will ensure that they stay happy and healthy.
10. Avoid Ear Infections
Ear infections occur when bacteria build up in the ear canal. Moist air can help prevent this buildup, making it easier to treat existing infections.
FAQs About Humidifiers
Q: How do I know what kind of humidifier is right for me?
A: There are many different types of humidifiers available today. You’ll first want to look at how much water your humidifier holds & disperses each day, which will line up with the size of the room you want to keep humidified.
Some models consume only 1 gallon daily, while others will disperse 2 or even 3 gallons. Other important criteria include energy consumption, whether a heating element is used, programmable scheduling options, remote control, and the inclusion of water and air filters.
Q: What kind of maintenance does a humidifier need?
A: Regularly cleaning your humidifier’s vents, water reservoir, and evaporator unit will help maintain its efficiency. Cleaning the air filter regularly ensures that it doesn’t clog up. Also, check the water level periodically, so you don’t run out of water.
Q: Is there anything else I should know about buying a humidifier?
A: When choosing a humidifier, consider the size of your room. Smaller rooms require smaller humidifiers. It’s important to choose a model that provides just enough moisture to cover all surfaces within the room.
If you buy one that’s not properly sized for your room, you will spend too much on electricity as an under-powered unit tries to keep up – or you end up with overly moist air from a model too large for your room.
I’m a degreed ME (mechanical engineer) who is passionate about machines of all kinds. I created MachineWonders.com as a way to connect with others who love machines like me – or need help choosing one for their needs, application, or situation.
