We can all agree that both air humidifiers and purifiers can affect the air inside our household. However, both of them feature unique benefits and different purpose in general.
Therefore, if you wish to find ways to reduce allergies as well as respiratory issues due to dry air inside your home, or if you want to create a perfect home environment for your baby, it is vital to understand the difference between an air purifier and air humidifier.
We decided to present you a guide that will help you along the way so that you can choose the best product possible:
What is the Difference?
When it comes to an air purifier, its primary goal is to clean the air you breathe inside your household by removing and inactivating pollutants and other germs inside the air. The main components of the air purifier filter surface and fan; however, filtration technology can vary.
The most common filtration technology includes having HEPA filters while the latest technology created PECO filters that will improve and enhance the air you breathe.
The process of purifying the air requires the air to pass through the unit, while pollutants will be either removed or trapped on the filter. Finally, the clean air will get back into the room so that you can enjoy all the way.
However, you should remember that air purifiers could not add humidity to the air, which is the main distinction between them and humidifiers.
On the other hand, humidifiers cannot remove the unwanted particles from the air. They can only add water to it by using warm or cold mist technology through ultrasonic process, or by evaporating water by using wick and fan.
Have in mind that ultrasonic humidifiers can also add mineral particles inside the air since the tap water is not purified completely. Therefore, you can use destined water instead so that you can avoid this particular problem.
Impacts on Health
Both humidifiers and air purifiers feature different perspective and provide you disparate effect on the air quality that will affect your general health.
Allergies and Asthma
Air Purifier – Have in mind that some air purifiers can reduce the number of allergens you feature in the air such as pet dander, dust mites as well as mold and pollen spores. Therefore, most people that suffer from asthma or allergies tend to use it to reduce the overall exposure to these particles. Remember that in most cases, they will float in the air, and since they feature microscopic size, you will not be able to see them. Having traditional air filters will help you handle these particles.
Air Humidifiers – On the other hand, humidifiers do not have an impact on levels of allergens, and instead they may help reduce the symptoms in case that you have issues with dry air within your household. However, you should remember that humidifiers do not minimize asthma and allergy symptoms, and in some cases, they can increase the overall risk of triggering the symptoms. Therefore, you have to clean them properly, because if you neglect that, it can cause mold to develop and introduce spores into the air.
Respiratory Irritation, Flu, and Cold
Air Purifiers – Remember that standard air purifiers can capture small particles in the air, and some of them may carry tiny viruses that cannot pass the usual filters that you are using. Even though it cannot help with an existing cold that you developed, it may help you ease the symptoms by reducing and completely removing other irritants that will affect your respiratory conditions.
Air Humidifiers – According to experts, a humidifier can help you relieve discomfort of flu and colds and help you with a stuffy nose. At the same time, balanced levels of humidity are the first line of protection against airborne viruses. According to some studies, having humidity between 40 and 60 percent will reduce the possibility of getting a virus. However, it cannot cure you when you are sick, but it will help you relieve the symptoms and prevent scratchy throat, nose and dry skin.
Dry Air
Air Purifiers – We have mentioned above that, an air purifier cannot add humidity to the air, which means that it cannot do anything with dry air if you have this particular problem in your household. At the same time, it can exacerbate numerous respiratory issues such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and asthma among other things.
Air Humidifiers – The main goal of a humidifier is to increase the moisture in the air, which will help you increase the overall humidity and that will improve the air inside your household and help you relieve the symptoms. Have in mind that when you have too dry air, it can cause throat and nose irritation, especially when the AC or heater is on.
What If You Have a Baby
If you have a baby inside your household, you should have in mind that humidifier can be a better solution in case you have issues with dry air. That way, you will be able to prevent dry throat and scratchy nose.
According to FDA, cool mist humidifiers are much better choices that will help infants with cold and cough symptoms, because they will shrink nasal passages and allow your baby to breathe more comfortable than before.
On the other hand, if you have a warm humidifier, you should avoid it altogether because it will create a completely opposite effect. Since it uses warm mist, it will cause nasal passages to swell, and that will make breathing much more challenging.
In case that you wish to improve the overall air quality, you can install an air purifier to reduce the number of pollutants in the air as well as other toxins such as tobacco smoke, plastics and other triggers such as pet dander, mold spores, and pollen.
That will increase the health of the air you are using so that your baby can be in a perfect state and nursing area.