If you’ve got difficulties with breathing, skin irritation, and allergies, you may contract these as a result of indoor humidity levels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issues a recommended humidity level for homes, and anything above it can cause mold to thrive, which is a serious contaminant.
Low humidity levels can lead to dry airways, which can worsen symptoms. Seasonal humidity can further complicate your health management. Maintain healthy indoor humidity levels with a humidifier or a dehumidifier.
But which should you get? Let’s find out.
What Is a Humidifier and a Dehumidifier?
A humidifier adds moisture to the air (increasing the relative humidity) when it is too dry. While a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air (decreasing the relative humidity) when it is too humid.
Figuring out what unit you need in your particular situation partly depends on the time of year. In winter, a humidifier can be a lifesaver. But in the summer, a dehumidifier is your best friend.
Then again, if you rely heavily on air conditioning for summer cooling, a humidifier will save the day again, as air conditioners can remove too much moisture from the air.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends an indoor humidity level below 60% and ideally between 30-50% for homes and offices. Using this metric as a guideline, it’s easy to determine whether you need a humidifier or a dehumidifier, when you should operate it, and for how long.
By setting the appliance’s built-in humidistat at the suggested percentage—and confirming it with an indoor hygrometer—you’ll be able to breathe easier knowing you’re within the recommended range.
When to Use a Humidifier
Humidifiers are commonly used during the winter when home heating makes indoor air overly dry. Sometimes, summer air conditioning could remove too much moisture from your airspace while cooling your home. In that case, a humidifier can also help in the summer.
Whether you’re using a humidifier in winter or summer, the goal is to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of dry air. These include:
- Dry skin, mouth, and eyes
- Chapped lips
- Breathing difficulty
- Flaky scalp (dandruff)
- Dry air nosebleeds
- Sinus headaches
Benefits of Using a Humidifier
If your home’s air is below 30% relative humidity, and it’s affecting your sleep, any skin conditions, or causing respiratory condition flare-ups, then a humidifier could help alleviate your symptoms. Here are a few specific health benefits of humidifiers.
- Natural moisturizer. Prevent cracked lips, flaky skin, and fragile hair by adding moisture to your home air.
- Respiratory symptom control. Wetter air reduces shortness of breath associated with bronchitis or colds. The added moisture in the air makes coughing up phlegm easier.
- Natural sleep aid. The enhanced lubrication of nasal and sinus passageways from moist air makes breathing easier and snoring less likely in people with sleep apnea.
Types of Humidifiers
There are four major types of humidifiers on the market today. Here’s a brief rundown:
1. Ultrasonic Humidifiers
High-frequency vibrations in the water reservoir create a visible mist that is transmitted through your home’s airspace. Ultrasonic humidifiers don’t need noisy fans to operate. They are super quiet when running, making them an excellent bedroom option.
2. Evaporative Humidifiers
A wick filter draws up water, and a fan blows dry air through the filter. Water evaporates into the air. The moist air circulates in your home.
3. Steam Vaporizers
A heating element boils water, creating steam that cools inside the unit before entering your room as a warm mist. Steam vaporizers can be dangerous for kids because of the burn risk.
4. Whole-House Humidifiers
The humidifier is connected to your home’s central heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system. Moistened air travels throughout the ductwork in equal parts to all parts of your home.
Note: Ultrasonic and evaporative humidifiers are collectively called cool mist humidifiers to distinguish them from steam vaporizers.
We recommend buying a large cool mist humidifier capable of humidifying a sizable area or your whole house. Read our buying guide here to find a suitable model.
When to Use a Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers come in handy during bouts of high humidity typical of hot and steamy summers. When the air feels heavy, and the relative humidity percentage exceeds 60%, or you see condensation on indoor surfaces, you’ll know it’s time to turn on the dehumidifier.
Benefits of Using a Dehumidifier
When too much moisture in the air creates or worsens health issues, a dehumidifier is essential for eliminating moisture and lowering the humidity in your house. Here are a few benefits of using a dehumidifier.
- Mold growth regulation. Mold flourishes in a home when the humidity is above 60%. A dehumidifier keeps the microorganisms and the toxic substances they produce in check.
- Musty odor reduction. Microscopic airborne mold spores get activated and reproduce when it’s too damp inside. This means more pungent musty odors. A dehumidifier lowers the amount of moisture in the air, so there will be fewer smelly mold spores floating around.
- Dust mite allergy control. Dust mites thrive when the indoor humidity is over 55%. A dehumidifier will nip them in the bud.
- Cooling effect of drier air. Indoor humid air makes the “real feel” temperature higher than it really is. A dehumidifier negates this effect. As a result, you won’t need to run the AC as much, so you’ll save on energy costs, too.
Types of Dehumidifiers
There are three main types of dehumidifiers commercially available today. Below is a basic description of each kind.
1. Refrigerant (Compressor) Dehumidifiers
Like a household refrigerator, a compressor dehumidifier draws in humid air that passes over coils containing a refrigerant (coolant chemical). Water droplets condense from the air and drip into a storage tank. The dehumidifier releases drier air into the home environment.
2. Desiccant Dehumidifiers
Rather than cooling incoming air, a desiccant dehumidifier sends it over a rotating wheel containing a moisture-absorbent material known as a desiccant. As droplets form, this dehumidifier channels them into a storage tank while it transmits drier air back into your home.
3. Whole-House Dehumidifiers
High humidity levels are usually a problem in basements and crawl spaces. However, if excess moisture is a problem in your entire home, then a whole-house dehumidifier may be the best solution.
A whole-house dehumidifier attaches to your central HVAC system and functions like a refrigerant dehumidifier, dehumidifying the air as it flows through your air ducts.
Final Thoughts on Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier
Seasonal variations in outdoor humidity and indoor heating and cooling use cause home humidity levels to fluctuate widely. Air that is too dry or too damp can adversely affect your health.
To maintain the EPA-recommended indoor humidity level of 30-50% for a healthy home, you may need a humidifier or dehumidifier. Knowing the differences between humidifiers and dehumidifiers is essential before investing in one or both of them.
A humidifier will add moisture to the air when you need to raise the humidity in your home. In comparison, a dehumidifier will remove excess moisture from the air when your indoor humidity levels are too high.
With either a humidifier or dehumidifier, you’ll breathe easier in your home, no matter the seasonal humidity or how much you use home heating and cooling throughout the year.
