Does Humidifiers Cool Down The Air In A Room?

Maintaining the right air humidity is one of the frequent problems in many homes. By having a humidifier, you can easily increase the humidity level in the air. The recommended and suitable level for human health is between 30% and 50%.

This is most often a problem in places where you cannot open the window for a long time due to cold winters. But during summer, can humidifiers cool the air in your living space? In this article, we’ll talk about that. So, let’s start!

Do Humidifiers Cool Down The Air In A Room? No, humidifiers can’t cool the air in the room. The coil inside the dehumidifier will condense the cold water into a drip pan. And on the other side is the evaporator which disperses the heat into the room air. Although the steam may give a refreshing sensation, it can only increase the temperature. 

Despite the fact that humidifiers cannot provide a cooling effect, they are still handy little devices that can significantly improve the quality of life in our home. In this text, we’ll talk about all the advantages of owning a humidifier, how to use it, and how to choose the one that best suits your personal preferences.

What Is A Humidifier?

A humidifier is a household appliance that increases the humidity (moisture) level in the air. This is done by releasing steam into the room.

However, these devices cant cool the air in the room down. On the market, you can find a large selection of different models of humidifiers. These devices can be classified into five categories:

• Cool steam humidifiers
• Warm steam humidifiers
• Evaporative vaporizers
• Steam vaporizer humidifier
• Ultrasonic humidifiers.

Note! Do not expect the humidifier to cool down the room or serve as an air purifier.

If you want to learn more about these devices, be sure to read Do Humidifiers Cause Mold And Excessive Moisture?

Why Is It Good To Have A Humidifier?

Dry air cause health problems for people who are exposed to it for a long time, from worsening asthma attacks to increasing the number of allergic reactions, especially if you have dry skin.

Also, air that is not humid enough favors the development of bacteria, which helps spread airborne infectious diseases. With the help of a humidifier, you can successfully maintain the humidity level in the room at the recommended 30 to 50% and prevent dry air in the room.

What Are The Benefits Of A Humidifier?

A humidifier improves the quality of life in our home in many ways. Let’s look together at the benefits of a humidifier:

• Increases moisture in the air and ensures normal breathing
• Removes dirt, allergens, and dust from the air
• Prevents frizzing and production of static electricity
• Relieves asthma, bronchitis, or clod cough
• Prevents airborne transfer of disease
• Offers relief for dry skin problem
• Clears nasal blockade issues

Related Article: How Long Should A Dehumidifier Run Per Day?

5 Types of Humidifiers (And the Benefits of Each)

Humidifiers are devices that can be divided into five categories. Keep in mind that these devices cannot cool down the space. Here are 5 types of humidifiers:

1. Cool Mist Humidifier

Cool humidifiers (as the name suggests) regulate the air humidity in the room by releasing cool steam. The device emits steam with the help of a fan. The cool mode of operation on this humidifier is good for people with dry skin problems indoors and helps asthmatics.

This type of humidifier is filled with distilled water and needs to be maintained regularly since they come with a note that in the case of poor maintenance, or the use of tap water, they can start to fill the air in the room with pathogens.

2. Evaporative Humidifier

This humidifier model is considered a subtype of cool humidifier since it regulates the air moisture in the room with the help of cool steam. However, there is some difference in operation mode. This model works according to the principle of air exchange.

It draws air from the room into its interior, processes it in the basin, and then lets it back into the room. It does not contain a heater, so you can place it anywhere in the room.

3. Warm Mist Humidifier

Warm mist humidifiers work so that water is heated to the boiling temperature inside the device and evaporates through the opening. The biggest advantage of this model is that the device works very quietly. In addition, warm mist humidifiers can also warm up the room a little.

The disadvantage of these devices is that they need to be cleaned frequently to avoid accumulating mineral deposits inside of them. Also, this type of humidifier is not very effective in large rooms and is not recommended for households with an open-plan layout.

You should also know that these humidifiers can get very hot during operation. Therefore, they are not recommended to occupy a central place in the room where they are easily accessible to children.

4. Steam Vaporizer Humidifier

This model is a subtype of a warm mist humidifier. The steam vaporizer humidifier also balances the moisture in the air by releasing the appropriate amount of warm steam. Its advantage compared to the classic warm mist humidifier is the rapid evaporation of steam.

This model also needs to be placed on a spot that is not easily accessible to children because its working temperature is very high.

Related Article: How To Use An Ozone Generator In Your Home?

5. Ultrasonic Humidifier

An ultrasonic humidifier is also a model that can be classified as a cool humidifier. It is very popular because it releases high-quality steam and is known for saving energy for its owners. It works on the principle of separating water molecules with the help of a vibrating plate and then releasing the air particles into the room.

However, when using this model, there is always a risk of failure due to the formation of large deposits of minerals from the water inside, especially on the plates. That is why it is essential to maintain this device regularly.

Should Humidifier Run Around The Clock?

The humidifier should work depending on the humidity level in your home. Nothing prevents you from using the humidifier every day. However, this is not always necessary, especially if you live in an area with changing seasons.

Often in the warmer months, it is not necessary to use a humidifier in your home because open windows ensure the air humidity.

If you live in an area with such a type of climate that it is necessary for the humidifier to work all the time, you must always pay attention to the 2 essential things: regular humidifier maintenance/water change and regular measurement of the humidity level.

Here is the article we recommend you read: How Long Should A Dehumidifier Run Per Day?

Regular Maintenance Of The Humidifier

When your humidifier works during the year, you must clean it at least once every ten days. This means that you must regularly change the water in it. Also, keep in mind that you should only use distilled water in your humidifiers.

That way, you will avoid accumulating mineral deposits inside the device. You must also know that distilled water ensures that the mist from the device does not contain harmful bacteria.

Track The Humidity Level In The Room

The humidity level in the room must be within the permitted limits. Some humidifier models have an installed hygrometer that is synchronized with the device. That way, you can always be sure that the humidifier will work only humidity level drops below the allowed limit.

If your humidifier does not have a hygrometer, it is recommended that you check the room’s humidity daily. It is not good for the humidifier to work if the air is already humid enough because an excess of moisture can be created, which can harm human health.

Should You Run A Humidifier In The Summer?

Yes, a humidifier can be used during the summer months. However, keep in mind that such a thing is recommended only if there is a real need for it.

It is known that in the summer, the air is significantly more saturated with moisture, so if this is the case in the area where you live, check the humidity level in your home before activating the humidifier.

Also, it is recommended to use a humidifier in your home during summer if you have the habit that your room is refreshed, especially if you are prone to allergies caused by plants that peak in summer.

Should You Run A Humidifier In The Winter?

Yes, you can use humidifiers during the winter. When it is cold, fresh air flow from the outside is reduced in closed spaces. Humidifiers will ensure a pleasant environment indoors in winter, especially when it comes to a warm steam humidifier that increases the feeling of warmth.

Also, humidifiers have a particularly good effect on typical winter ailments in people, such as cough and stuffy nose. However, they also help people allergic to dust or pets.

Where To Put Your Humidifier?

A humidifier is a device that can be placed anywhere in the room. However, it is recommended not to put it on the floor, and in the case of the warm stem device, not to place it in a location where it is within reach of small children and pets. Here are the best places where you can put your humidifier:

Living Room

The room where you often stay, watch TV, and have lunch is also one of the places where you should have a humidifier. Pay attention to the humidity level in your living room and adjust the humidifier accordingly.

Bedroom

A humidifier will make sleep easier for anyone who can’t fall asleep due to a coughing fit and those who usually wake up with a burning sensation in the throat. In such situations, it is recommended to activate a humidifier in the bedroom overnight. However, avoid placing the device on a bedside table, as it can easily happen that you accidentally knock it over.

Home Office

Placing a humidifier on your desk is a good idea if you spend a lot of time in your office. It is recommended model to be in accordance with the size of the room.

When the office is smaller, you can use smaller models that even have a USB port, and if the office is large, feel free to choose a model with standard dimensions or larger.

Final Thoughts

The humidifier cant cool the air in the room. But, despite this, it is a small, handy household device that can significantly increase the quality of life by regulating the air humidity in your home. A humidifier is a useful device if you live in an area with long and hard winters and if you or one of your household members suffers from allergies or chronic respiratory diseases. In addition, humidifiers are easy to use and do not take up much space. Try it out and see if it will change your life for the better.