Maintaining a high comfort level in your home requires an understanding of humidity. Simply put, too much or too little humidity will be a problem. To reach that perfect sweet spot, you may need to get a humidifier or dehumidifier. However, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of these appliances.

What Is a Humidifier?

A humidifier is a device that can be used to add moisture to the air when it is too dry. Humidifiers come in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging from portable to centralized systems built for entire homes. This means that the market for them is quite large, and you are certain to find one that will fit both your needs and your budget. There are five basic types of humidifiers that you will find available for purchase.

  • Central humidifiers: used for a whole house
  • Impeller humidifiers: create a safe, cool mist
  • Steam vaporizers: readily accessible and portable
  • Ultrasonic humidifiers: create mist with ultrasonic vibration
  • Evaporators: fan-powered single unit system

Certain humidifiers, such as the impeller humidifier, is safer for homes with children because the mist that it produces is cool. Be certain that when you are selecting a humidifier for your home that you confirm whether the unit will expel hot mist or cool mist. This can prevent injuries later on.

Why Choose a Humidifier

Humidifiers are helpful for those people who suffer health consequences as a result of air that is too dry. For instance, people with cracked lips or skin as well as people who suffer from irritation in their throat could see an improvement with a humidifier. It could also lessen discomfort for people who suffer from headaches or bloody noses caused by dry air.

What Is a Dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier is essentially the opposite of the humidifier. It works to take moisture out of the air when there is too much of it. The system takes in the warm air using a fan and feeds it through its coils where the condensation is left behind. Because the coils are refrigerated, the warm air contracts and that is what causes the condensation to collect in the storage tank. Then, the dry air is passed back out into your house.

Should I Choose a Dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers are helpful for people who deal with allergies. This is because dust mites need a humidity level of about 65& to survive and multiply. A dehumidifier can reduce the humidity levels in your home to anywhere from 30 to 50 percent, which means that it is well below that limit. This can lead to a reduction in chest pain, itchiness, sneezing, and eye irritation.

Which One Is Better?

Humidifiers can be useful for those who deal with harsh, dry winters or those who utilize their air conditioning heavily in the summertime. However, it is important to note that the humidifiers can also worsen symptoms for people who are asthmatic or have other respiratory problems if the moisture reaches excess levels. Too much moisture in the air can also cause bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow if left unchecked.

Dehumidifiers do have some negative side effects, as well. For instance, they can actually worsen pneumonia symptoms as well as stuffy noses and dry coughs. Additionally, if you suffer from eczema, you could be prone to flare-ups in a dryer environment. You may also not need a dehumidifier if you live in a high-altitude area or a desert-like environment. Additionally, you may not need a dehumidifier if you use gas or electricity to heat up your space.
With that said, you must choose the system that makes sense for your particular needs. It can be helpful to speak to a professional if you are unsure about which system to choose.
Here are some factors to consider:

  • Where you live
  • Your own health conditions
  • The temperature in your home
  • Your own preferences

Your Professional HVAC Company

Since 1961, Kahn Air Conditioning has been serving the community here in Northridge, CA. We pride ourselves on the quality of our services as well as the extent of our expertise. Whether you are looking for air conditioning services, heat pump and gas furnace services, air quality assessments, ductwork, or electrical work, we can help you.

If you would like to learn more about what we can offer you, please contact us at Kahn Air Conditioning today.

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