Should You Use a Humidifier or Dehumidifier?
Are you trying to breathe a little easier or limit allergens in your home? Humidity levels can play a major role in your breathing and overall health. Read on to learn about whether a humidifier or dehumidifier is right for you!
Humidifier – What Is It?
A humidifier adds moisture to the air. Often, in a heated room, the air becomes dryer and a humidifier helps to bring a more healthy and comfortable balance. Increasing the moisture in a dry climate can benefit dry skin and cough, as well as relieving any sinus congestion from allergies and colds.
How Does It Work?
Humidifiers vary in type, but all have the same outcome – releasing mist into the air, adding moisture to the room. An evaporative humidifier pulls air from the room into the unit, dampens it, and then releases the moist air back into the room. Ultrasonic humidifiers use an ultrasonic vibrating diaphragm that forces tiny water droplets into the air.
Dehumidifier – What Is It?
Opposite from the humidifier, a dehumidifier reduces the moisture in the air. Humidity often brings with it it’s own health concerns and potential odors. A dehumidifier helps to eliminate these issues and, just like the humidifier, bring a healthy balance to the air you are breathing.
How Does It Work?
A dehumidifier strips the air in the room of all it’s moisture and then sends it back out. The moisture collects in a tank that is to be emptied out regularly. Most dehumidifiers work in one of two ways: by refrigeration or absorption. Refrigeration-type dehumidifiers work by using an electric fan to suck warm air through a grille, while absorption-type models draw the air through a desiccant material and push it back out.
Not sure which would best benefit your space? Ask an HVAC expert to inspect your home so they can recommend if a humidifier or dehumidifier is better suited for your needs!
