Introduction
A humidifier is an apparatus used to increase moisture content in the air thereby helping to relieve the discomfort of dry skin, asthma, stuffy sinuses, chapped lips, sore throats, and allergies. Approximately, 35 to 50% humidity level in the air is viewed as healthy. A low level of humidity in the air leads to chapped lips and dry and itchy skin. If the humidity level in the air is more than 50%, then it can lead to the growth of undesirable bacteria, mould spores, and dust mites. If it goes above 98%, the atmosphere becomes a place where the flu virus lives. Therefore an optimum level of air humidity that should be maintained is 50%. A place for safekeeping musical instruments should maintain an unchanging 40% humidity level to protect the instruments against cracking of their finish. When humans are exposed to excessively dry air, it can put a strain on the mucus membranes and make people more susceptible to allergens and airborne irritants. A humidifier can also help to prevent the cracking of floors made from wood.
There are two types of humidifiers, warm and cool mist humidifiers. A warm mist humidifier operates by heating water and creating steam to humidify the air. A cool mist humidifier in contrast produces tiny droplets of water and releases them into the dry air to humidify them. Both these humidifiers are equally effective in increasing moisture in the air. Regardless of which humidifier is used, by the time the humidified air reaches a person’s airways, the air is the same temperature.
Warm vs Cool Humidifier
Both warm and cool mist humidifiers are useful in relieving allergies and other irritation caused by dry air. A warm mist humidifier works by raising the room temperature. Warm humidifiers are silent and do not cause any distress. They can be used to disperse oils. They operate better in small spaces.
Cool mist humidifiers operate by lowering the temperature of the room it’s placed in. Comparatively, cool mist humidifiers are safer for children. They are noisy when operating. Cool humidifiers cannot be used to disperse oils. They can function optimally even in large spaces.
Difference Between Warm and Cool humidifiers in Tabular Form
| Parameters of Comparison | Warm Mist Humidifier | Cool Mist Humidifier |
| Operation | Heating water and using the steam to increase moisture | Releasing water droplets in the air to increase moisture in the dry air. |
| Cost of Maintenance | Comparatively more expensive to maintain | Comparatively cheaper to maintain |
| Usage | The cleaning process is difficult | The cleaning process is easier |
| Operation | Silent | Noisier |
| Potential Hazards | Use hot water, which can cause scalding if not properly handled. | Possibility of releasing materials like microorganisms and minerals which were diffused into the water. |
| Types | Steam Humidifier | Evaporative and Ultrasonic cool mist humidifier |
What is a Warm Humidifier?
Warm mist humidifiers are also known as vaporizers. Warm humidifiers contain an internal heating system which boils water. This in turn releases steam into the room it’s placed in, creating a soothing invisible mist. The temperature increase caused by warm humidifiers helps reduce the growth of bacteria and germs in the room. In addition, warm humidifiers are useful in treating cold and flu during the cold season. One added advantage is that warm humidifiers are noiseless compared to other types of humidifiers.
Types Of Warm Mist Humidifiers
- Steam Humidifier: Operates by boiling water and releasing the vapour into the room. In addition, a medicated inhalant is vaporized with water.
Advantages of Warm Mist Humidifiers
- Unlike cool humidifiers, the minerals and dust used in the water are not diffused and released with steam.
- Medical inhalants can be added to the water to be turned into steam and diffused into the room.
- Warm humidifiers are said to produce healthier air as their boiling process destroys waterborne mould and bacteria.
- Warm humidifiers do not have an internal fan mechanism, hence they are very quiet.
- Reduces mineral dust accumulation
- During the winter season, warm humidifiers can be used to produce warm air.
- Less expensive compared to cool humidifiers.
Disadvantages of Warm Mist Humidifiers
- Warm mist humidifiers use heating elements are boil water to produce steam. This poses a risk of scalding if the device were to leak or were tipped over. This is especially dangerous in situations where children are playing around.
- Risk of fire.
- Hard water is used and their mineral deposits make the cleaning process difficult.
- Warm water is a haven for bacteria to thrive hence, the apparatus should be cleaned regularly.
- Since it uses a heating system, it consumes more power and becomes more expensive to operate. That is, it has low energy efficiency.
- Warm humidifiers are not suitable for large spaces. They are more efficient only in small spaces like offices or bedrooms.
- They could cause swelling in the nasal passage thereby making breathing difficult.
What is Cool Humidifier?
Cool mist humidifiers operate by producing cool vapours into the air to add moisture to it. The apparatus has a filter which captures water impurities thereby making it easier to clean. Cool mist humidifiers are better suited for summers and in areas with warm weather. One disadvantage of cool humidifiers, when compared to warm humidifiers, is that it is nosier.
Types of Cool Mist Humidifiers
Cool mist humidifiers are available with two different technologies, evaporative and ultrasonic.
- Wick/ Evaporative Cool Mist Humidifier: This type of humidifier contains a fan and internal wick filters. The wick filters absorb water and the internal fan functions by blowing the air through the filter. Due to this process, the water vapour is released into the air in the form of an invisible mist. Afterwards, the vapour is released into the room. This type of cool mist humidifier is suitable for use in large spaces.
- Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifiers: This type of humidifier utilizes a high-speed ultrasonic vibrating plate to transform the water into a micro-fine mist. Ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers use small fans and have no gurgling water. Hence, these are the quietest of all cool humidifiers. For the cleaning process, one needs to rinse the tank and the rest of the internal materials. It is comparatively easier to clean. One popular ultrasonic cool mist humidifier is the Vornado UH100.
- Impeller Humidifier: Operates by using a rotating disc which throws water into a diffuser. This process breaks down the water into fine droplets which are released into the air in the form of a cool fog mist.
Advantages of Cool Mist Humidifiers
- Does not use any heating elements to produce vapour, hence the risk of scalding and fire are eliminated.
- Safe to use in environments with children and pets.
- The internal tank of cool mist humidifiers is comparatively easier to clean.
- The internal wick filter used in the humidifier is self-regulating.
- Since cool mist humidifiers do not need to heat water for creating vapour, they consume less electricity.
- Cool mist humidifiers are easier to maintain.
- The internal wick filters out waterborne impurities.
- Medical inhalants can be added.
- Helpful for dealing with colds and coughs.
- Helpful in alleviating the distress of persons suffering from asthma and allergy.
- Cool mist humidifiers reduce static in the air.
- Can be used all year.
Disadvantages of Cool Mist Humidifiers
- All cool mist humidifiers require a fan to disperse the mist into the air, hence these devices can be noisy.
- Minerals, microorganisms, or dust particles can get diffused along with the mist. If the minerals are released along with the water, they will settle on furniture and objects in the room. This can worsen asthma or allergy conditions. (One way to avoid this is to use distilled or purified water.)
- Possibility of bacterial contamination, if not properly maintained.
- Accumulation of mineral dust due to the water filtration process.
- Makes the air feel chillier than normal.
Dual Mist Humidifiers
In addition to warm and cool mist humidifiers, some humidifiers combine both options they are called dual mist humidifiers. These types of humidifiers provide the option to switch between the desired mist option, warm or cool. Depending on the season and personal needs, one can choose the preferred mist option.
One popular hybrid option is the “Levoit Ultrasonic Humidifier.” This humidifier provides both warm and cool mist options. In addition to these mist options, it contains a large water tank capacity which makes it easier to fill. The device is comparatively quiet while running. Further, the Levoit Ultrasonic Humidifier can be connected to apps like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for a hands-free experience.
Common Benefits of Humidifiers
- The climate during winter turns the air cold and crisp. This leads to chapped lips and flaky skin in people. Humidifiers help to keep people from getting moisture-deprived during this season.
- Some people sleep with their mouths open. This can lead to waking up with a dry throat in the morning. Keeping a humidifier operating throughout the night can help keep the throat and nose from being dry. Running it during the day can also help to keep the throat moisturized.
- Helps people to sleep more comfortably and also helps to minimize snoring.
- If the residence is made with wooden floors or wooden furniture, maintaining a balanced humidity level is important.
- Keeping a humidifier can help provide the house plants with extra moisture.
- The use of humidifiers helps in preventing the spread of airborne viruses. If there is adequate moisture in the air, it can help arrest the movement of germs in the air. A humidity level of at least 43% is required to stop the spread of airborne viruses.
- Humidifiers help people with breathing problems. These devices can help reduce the inflammation in the sinuses. They can also help loosen mucus formation, thereby making the illness pass.
- People suffering from arthritis experience flare-ups during the cold and dry seasons. The use of humidifiers can help alleviate these symptoms.
Maintenance of Humidifiers
- Make sure the water in the humidifier is cleaned regularly. If there is water sitting idly in the tank, it could lead to the formation of bacterial infection and mould.
- Always rinse the reservoir after cleaning to make sure no harmful chemical is released into the air.
- Make sure the area around the humidifier is kept clean and dry.
- Use only distilled or demineralised water in the humidifier.
Main Differences between Warm and Cool humidifier (in Points)
- Warm humidifiers operate by heating water and releasing the vapour into the air. In contrast, cool mist humidifiers operate by releasing minuscule water droplets into the air to increase moisture.
- The purchase cost of warm mist humidifiers is comparatively cheaper than cool mist humidifiers.
- The maintenance cost of warm mist humidifiers is more expensive compared to cool mist humidifiers.
- Warm mist humidifiers are difficult to clean and maintain when compared to cool mist humidifiers.
- When operating the warm mist humidifiers are silent and produce no external disturbance. In contrast, since cool humidifiers use fans in their devices, they are noisy.
- Warm mist humidifiers use heating elements and boil water to produce heat. This poses a threat of getting scalded. Cool mist humidifiers, on the other hand, pose no such threats.
- Types of warm mist humidifiers include the steam humidifier. While the cool mist humidifier has evaporative and ultrasonic types.
- Warm humidifiers operate by raising the temperature of the room, while cool mist humidifiers operate by lowering the room temperature.
- Warm mist humidifiers are better suited to small areas. In contrast, cool mist humidifiers can function effectively in large spaces.
- Warm mist humidifiers should not be used in homes with children or pets, since they could be tipped over and harm the children. Comparatively, cool mist humidifiers are safe to use in homes with children.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both warm and cool mist humidifiers provide several benefits. They are both helpful in increasing moisture in homes. They help people by relieving cracked lips, dry skin, colds, allergies etc. Depending on the climate conditions and home situations, one can choose between a warm or cool mist humidifier.
References
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/a31669422/cool-mist-vs-warm-mist-humidifiers/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/cool-mist-humidifiers/faq-20058199
- https://www.medicinenet.com/asthma_pictures_slideshow/article.htm
- https://www.sylvane.com/cool-mist-humidifiers-and-warm-mist-humidifiers.html