Due to the rapidly deteriorating air quality around the globe, we are easily plagued by various respiratory diseases. Individuals have incorporated several gadgets and devices to lower air pollution. Another important element is IAQ because it influences the health of people today and their quality of life. Two well-known IAQ products include air purifiers and humidifiers, which improve air quality. Though air purifiers and humidifiers raise the air quality in your house, both have specific uses. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that they are not similar and used for very different purposes with different characteristics. If you are thinking of adding one of these to your home for improved breathing or clean air for your family, it is essential to know the differences.
What is an air purifier?
An air purifier is a small electric appliance whose primary function is to remove dust, allergens, bacteria, or other particles suspended in the air, together with gaseous contaminants, within a limited zone. They are also known as air cleaners for dust. They employ different technologies to deal with various types of pollution, such as viruses, bacteria, dust, VOCS, dander, etc. Most air purifiers are standalone commodities for use at home.
What is a humidifier?
To talk about a room humidifier it is an apparatus that people use to enhance the moisture in a given room or a building. It releases a mist of microscopic water droplets or water vapor into the atmosphere to raise relative humidity. Its primary action is to alleviate dry air symptoms, including sneezing, sore throats, and skin and eye itching.
Difference Between Air Purifiers and Humidifiers
Function
Air Purifiers
Air purifiers are mainly designed to help improve indoor air quality by filtering and preventing different pollutants and particles. Some of these include bacteria, mold, spores, and pet dander.
Room air purifiers using HEPA filters are the most popular because these have been found to efficiently trap up to 99 percent of airborne particles.
Humidifiers
Meanwhile, humidifiers utilize a process where a certain level of water vapor is released into the room to increase the moisture level. They transform water into cold and fine droplets and then expel it into the environment. This is useful in places with little or no humidity in the air.
Humidifiers produce mist in 2 ways-ultrasonic or evaporative technology. An ultrasonic humidifier produces waves from a transducer, turning water into mist. On the other hand, evaporative humidifiers use water’s conductivity to produce steam through boiling.
Impact on health
Air purifiers
Air purifiers are essential for those who are allergic and have asthmatic problems to limit their contact with pollutants. They capture dust particulates that could contain viruses small enough to be let through regular air filters. Although air purifiers cannot stop a person from being infected by a cold, they can help to minimize the effect since other irritants in the air are removed.
Humidifiers
Most people believe that humidifiers do not remove allergens from the air but can only be useful if the nasal passage is inflamed and dry. It can cause mold formation if not cleaned correctly and release spores into the air causing asthma and allergies.
Moreover, it facilitates some diseases such as flu or a stuffy nose and maintains the humidity level, which has preventive benefits.
Filter — cost of maintenance & replacement
Air purifiers
While air purifiers can be used all year long, especially during the allergens, humidifiers should be used only in cases of dry air. Relative humidity could reduce air quality in homes since too much moisture is present in the air.
Filters within the air purifiers have to be changed every 6 to 12 months so as for them to work effectively. Some HEPA filters, especially certain types, can be washed gently using cold water. On that note, it’s important to always refer to the user manual before disposing of the device in such a manner. Replacement Filters are available at comparatively low prices.
Humidifiers
Minerals build up within humidifiers in a few days and require regular maintenance. It must also be used with distilled water and contain as little mineral as possible. Tap water has high mineral deposits, which, when discharged off, settle as white dust, an unhealthy irritant.
In addition, air purifiers are more costly, but compared to that, a humidifier can be bought at an affordable price.
Impact of Purifiers and Humidifiers on Health
Asthma and Allergies
Some air purifiers eliminate specific allergens, such as dust mites, mold, or pet hair. The use of an air purifier minimizes one’s interaction with such pollutants. On the one hand, humidifiers are unrelated to allergens but helpful in easing the condition that is precipitated by dry or irritated throat and nose.
Respiratory Illnesses
While an air filter cannot remove viruses as small as 2.5 microns, an air purifier traps the irritants from flowing in the room’s air. Mayo Clinic has recommended maintaining indoor humidity between 30% and 50% to decrease virus infectivity and cope with other prevalent conditions such as sore or scratchy throat.
Air Dryness
An air purifier cannot add moisture to the house’s air, so it doesn’t aid in curing asthma, bronchitis, or sinusitis. At the same time, using a humidifier does help introduce some level of moisture in the air, thus helping condition for dry air.
Air Purifier vs Humidifier for Babies
You may find that both air purifiers and humidifiers benefit your baby. However, it is only advised to leave a humidifier on sometimes because it continuously adds humidity to the dry air. High humidity in the rooms causes the formation of water droplets on the floor, walls, and so on, therefore increasing the possibility of molding dusty mites.
Allergies, asthma attacks, or respiratory problems may build up at any age group due to these microbes.
A hygrometer is a good idea if you believe your house has too much moisture. This records the humidity level in a specific room. In a building or house, relative humidity levels exceeding 60% are idealized as high.
Conclusion
It is possible to improve indoor air quality in two different ways- using humidifiers and air purifiers. An air purifier’s primary function is to eliminate airborne pollutants and contaminants, such as VOCs, fine particle pollution (particulate matter), allergens (pollen, pet hair and dander, dust and dust mites, mold and spores), and dust. Humidifiers help in removing moisture from the installed area.
Frequently Asked Question
1. How to make the right choice between an air purifier and a humidifier?
The selection will not be challenging if you know everything about them. It also helps you to create a healthy, comfortable indoor environment. Whether discussing respiratory issues, allergy difficulties, or dry indoor air quality, selecting the appropriate solution will help to lead a healthy life.
Is it okay to have both air purifiers and humidifiers in the same place?
You need to understand that both serve different purposes. For example, an air purifier is not capable of removing moisture the way a humidifier does. When placed together, they work really well. Together, they can add to several health benefits. To name a few:
- Better sleep
- Clean home
- NO snore morning
2. What would you prefer while sleeping- an air purifier or a humidifier?
If you decide to sleep with both, you are never at a loss. They add a list of benefits so that you sleep in a healthy and comfortable way. Air purifier promotes cleaner air all the way.
3. People say air purifier removes humidity. Is it true?
The answer is a big NO! Air purifiers remove dirt from the air, not moisture. If you are planning to run the air purifier to remove the humidity, you may be disappointed.