Although its enjoying, the cold winter season comes with lots of troubles and health issues.
And if you do not take proper precautions you can spoil the enjoyment!
Besides many other things, installing a good humidifier during winters is crucial for keeping the inside air moist and healthy.
In fact, humidifiers are essential to have if you live in an area where cold is on its peak making the air around you dry and uncomfortable.
The device in your home not only adds the needed humidity into your rooms but also helps in avoiding problems such as dry skin, cold, flu, and allergies which are most common in this season.
In this article, we will be looking at some of the most common different types of humidifiers you can choose for your home this winter.
If you are considering buying them this guide will hopefully help you out in choosing the best one for your family.
7 Types of Humidifier for Winters
Humidifiers for winters can be categorized into a few types according to the way you are going to use them in your home.
Here we list down the 7 different types for you to choose from. These will hopefully help you get relief from chilling winter winds and allergies.
Based on your requirements, budget, and space you can choose the type that suits your family’s needs best.
1- Cool Mist Humidifier
Getting a cool-mist humidifier is the best way to get relief from dry air and allergy problems in cold weather.
As these produce a mist of cool air in a self-controlled manner, it also makes the environment cool in addition to making it humid.
The main advantage of using a cool-mist ultrasonic humidifier in winter is it does not require much maintenance and helps in releasing the optimum amount of humidity in the air without any noise.
2- Warm Mist Humidifier
A warm mist humidifier or a steam vaporizer makes use of electricity to heat the water and to disperse out the comforting steam.
The steam that is added in the room air makes the room environment warm, more humid, and comfortable to breathe in winters.
Make sure that you use these warm mist humidifiers for winters carefully as these are more prone to the risks of injury/burning because of the hot water and heating components used in the device.
3- Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier Combo
Available at a bit extra price, these types of humidifier provides the dual benefits of both warm as well as cold mist.
Just with a touch of a button, you can switch between the two modes to get the most suitable environment in your room with changing seasons.
These types of dual mist winter humidifiers are best suitable for people who want to enjoy the benefits of proper humidity in the air all-round the year.
Personally, I like using my LEVOIT Humidifier which is built for bedroom and large areas like your living room.
It’s available in 6L capacity and can be purchased on Amazon at a very competitive price.
If you want to check more options I believe, brands like Elechomes, Everlasting, and TaoTronics are good to opt.
4- Whole House Furnace Humidifier
Whole-house humidifiers for winters spreads it’s beneficial effects to a much wider area in your home or building as compared to other types that are usually meant for single rooms.
Most of these come with a built-in humidistat to control the relative humidity of the home automatically.
However, as these are installed directly into your furnace duct these require professional installation and proper service from time to time.
Furthermore, as these are meant to provide a comforting environment to your whole house these come expensive as compared to room humidifier.
5- Humidifier with Heater Combo
For people who prefer to stay warm in winter, heaters are certainly important for them.
But as you know that the warm air expelled by heaters is too much dry, it can cause various problems for family members at home.
Heater humidifier combo that comes with a built-in infrared heater is, therefore, a good option for people who want to enjoy heat along with proper indoor humidity.
6- Cast Iron Kettle Humidifier for Fireplace
Fireplace Insert Humidifier is the most traditional type that is being used since ages for getting proper humidification in a room with dry air.
The most beneficial part of using these cast-iron kettle humidifier for fireplace is it does not require any electric power to operate and are therefore most affordable to use.
You just need them to fill with water and place/insert in your fireplace to start getting the required steam.
7- Humidifier with Aromatherapy Compartment
Ultrasonic humidifier with aromatherapy diffuser is one of the most popular types among users in winter.
Manufactured with an updated electronics and simplistic attractive design these make the perfect addition to your home to enjoy proper humidity as well as instant relaxing aromatherapy session by adding essential oils.
Why Cleaning A Humidifier Is Important?
Cleaning of your ultrasonic humidifier device is important because bacteria and mold can grow over time in the filters and reservoir of the machine.
These upon a time, can move into the air along with the cool mist which can cause various health hazards for users.
For avoiding all these issues, you can follow the below-mentioned humidifier cleaning steps/instructions:
Step #1:
Turn off and unplug your humidifier unit
Step #2:
Remove the water tank and filter (if any) from the humidifier’s base
Step #3:
Take a damp soft towel (with white vinegar) and wipe down the base of the unit
Step #4:
Half fill the water tank with water and white vinegar solution. Let the solution sit for 10-20 minutes to loosen the dirt and mineral deposits
Step #5:
Rinse the tank of the unit with clean water and then dry it with a paper towel or lint-free cloth
Step #6:
Replace the filter if required and reattach the water tank to the base of the unit
Your ultrasonic humidifier is now ready to refill and use.
What to Look for When Buying A Humidifier Device?
1- Easy to use:
While buying a humidifier, look for the units that are hassle-free to clean and maintain.
2- Right size:
What’s more important, is to pick the right model that is designed for your room size.
If you choose to have a large size room humidifier you may end up making your area over moisturized, which may again cause a problem for patients.
3- Built-in humidistat
Besides the right size, you need to select the model that comes with a feature to measure humidity.
Most of the modern-day humidifiers come with a built-in humidistat to help maintain proper moisture in the air in an automated way.
IF the device you choose does not have one, consider buying a hygrometer separately.
4- Lightweight and portable
Also, consider buying lighter weight models since they are easy to carry whenever and wherever you require.
No matter what humidifier or air purifier model you choose, it is important that you take proper steps for its regular maintenance so that you enjoy its benefits for long.
People are advised to clean the reservoir and other equipment of humidifier in order to rule out the risk of spreading bacteria into the air.
These bacteria can move into the patient’s lungs and can cause more harm than benefit.
Can You Use Essential Oils in Humidifier for Congestion?
Cool mist humidifiers are known to lower the symptoms of respiratory illnesses and sinus problems.
It is therefore recommended to inhale pure clean humidified air if you are suffering from the common cold, dry sinuses, cracked lips, or nosebleeds.
Usually, adding a bit of essential oil in the humidifier for congestion disperses the scent and can show healing properties.
By doing this, you can actually breathe essential oils in a humidifier to get faster relief from the symptoms of colds and congestion.
Some oils like eucalyptus, lavender or peppermint, help in breaking up congestion pretty fast. These soothe the nasal passages and are therefore best recommended to be used in a humidifier.
But before adding the essential oils in humidifiers make sure that your unit allows you to do it.
Not all humidifiers come with this feature and you should only put the essential oils if your unit is safe to use with them.
Humidifier vs Dehumidifier: What to Buy for Baby Room?
Dehumidifiers and humidifiers can be the best companion for your baby, especially when he/she is suffering from allergies like asthma, sinus or any other.
Although both of these are recommended by pediatricians for easier breathing, you should know clearly about the differences between them, which one to choose and in what conditions…
Humidifier: When It’s Needed?
Dry air can be due to a room heater (which works all day in your room to maintain optimum temperature). It affects the nasal passage seriously and might cause irritations such as sinus and even asthma.
If it is a cold winter season, then you must consider buying a good humidifier for your home.
The chosen humidifier must be capable to hold enough water and turn into vapor for the overnight.
Also, consider the features and functionality that you want to have in the system when selecting.
Dehumidifier: When It’s Needed?
A dehumidifier is usually required when you have excess humidity in the air you live in.
Your area may have too much humidity due to varied reasons. Some of these may be water damage, floods nearby, stagnant water in the basement, etc.
Based on the problem and root cause you may need to buy a good dehumidifier for your home with the right size so that it can solve your issue.
It is essential to get a dehumidifier for your home before it makes more damages near you.
The Conclusion
Overall, humidifier devices for winters are recommended by physicians for their patients to help easy breathing under adverse conditions like high or low moisture conditions.
Installing these devices can not only help get relief from dry cough and skin problems in winters but also to ease your baby’s life. It can really help them live a healthier lifestyle.
Just make sure that you choose the best type of humiidfier that is most suited for your family.
