How to choose the right humidifier + 10 Reasons you should consider having one.
Buying a humidifier can be a little confusing, as there are many different criteria that can influence the buying decision. We explore the criteria below and also provide a helpful ten reasons why it makes sense to use one to improve your
indoor climate. The ideal humidity level in a room is usually around 40-60%, however it is not uncommon in the winter time for the air in our homes to be much drier than this ( often down to 30% or less ) due to the use of central heating
and drier outside air.
Your Room size
The room size is key when choosing the right humidifier. There is no need to choose a large powerful humidifier if your room is fairly compact. Likewise, a small humidifier may work its socks off in a large room but never actually manage to add enough moisture to correct the problem.
What type of room are you planning on using it in?
Consider where you plan to use your humidifier, for example a living room, children's room or bedroom and then bear that in mind when making your final choice. Different features will be more or less important depending on the purpose for which the humidifier is used. For example, a brightly illuminated LED display is not something you would want in the bedroom. Therefore try to choose a machine with dimmable lights or one which has a specific night mode. In a small room it is important that over-humidification does not occur. Therefore choose a humidifier with a built in hygrometer which can sense the moisture in the air and adjust itself accordingly. This will ensure the air is never allowed to get too wet, or too dry.
Maintenance
Maintenance requirements are higher in hard water areas than in soft water areas. If your water supply is hard, then decalcification is required more often. A thorough cleaning is nevertheless imperative in all cases to prevent the growth of
germs and bacteria. Purchasing an appliance that can be easily cleaned without too much difficulty is therefore a good move. Accessories, such as a decalc cartridge for an ultrasonic humidifier or a filter for an evaporative model should
be taken into account when calculating the ongoing costs.
Power consumption
Whether or not the appliance has a hygrostat or not is crucial. The hygrostat controls the humidity levels in the room, much like a thermostat controls the temperature on a heater. A humidifier with a built in hygrostat will switch itself on and off as and when required maintaining the optimum humidity levels at all times with little or no input from the user ( other than filling it with water from time to time!). This is far better and more energy efficient than simply leaving the machine switched on constantly.
Noise Levels
Noise is very subjective, for many of us a little background noise can be calming, on the other hand for some people the merest hint of background noise is a no no. If a person is particularly sound sensitive then evaporative humidifiers
tend to be the quietest, although we would always recommend giving us a call and discussing the options as sometimes a high quality ultrasonic machine like the Stadler Form Eva can be even quieter.
10 Reasons you should consider using a Humidifier in your home.
Dry air primarily develops in winter when we are using our central heating and room humidity often drops below 30% ( Ideally the air in your home should be around 40-60%). Opening the window does not help, and in fact can have the
opposite effect. So just what are the benefits of maintaining the correct moisture levels in your home?
1. Fewer colds
Our mucous membranes need a certain amount of moisture in order to not become inflamed during winter. If the air is too dry, this puts stress on our entire immune system in the long term.
2. More Restful sleep
Dry air can be a cause of restless sleep as the whole body is under greater strain than it would be were the humidity optimal (40 – 60 %). It is mainly babies and small children who respond very sensitively in this regard.
3. Reduced Allergy Risk
Pollen and dust bind more easily in moist air, become heavy, and fall to the ground. This prevents them spreading and so fewer irritations arise.
4. Less Nose Bleeds
Nasal mucous membranes suffer in dry air and make us more susceptible to nose bleeds.
5. No more dry eyes
In winter, we often wake up with itchy or burning eyes, or eyes that are stuck shut. This is a clear sign of dry air. A humidifier can quickly and efficiently solve this problem.
6. Better skin
Our skin requires a good basic level of moisture, a correct humidity level is indispensable to keeping the skin firm and healthy.
7. Correct ambience for wooden furniture and flooring
If the air is too dry, moisture is initially drawn from solid materials such as furniture, walls and flooring. As time goes by, wooden furniture and equipment become cracked and brittle. The correct humidity can counteract this. Retailers of
wooden flooring often recommend a certain humidity (between 40 – 60 %) as otherwise the quality of the floor can no longer be guaranteed.
8. Less dust and static charge
Moist air ensures that less static charge occurs. This means less static in your hair and also in your clothing.
9. Healthier House Plants
Soil is a reservoir for moisture. If the air is too dry, then moisture is also taken from the soil of the house plants from time to time. This leads to drying up occurring faster.
10. Instruments are not put out of tune
Instruments such as pianos, guitars, violins and other stringed instruments do not go out of tune so quickly if kept at an appropriate humidity.
Click here to view our range of specially chosen humidifiers or feel free to give us a call on 01207 507444, we love to talk!
