When To Use A Humidifier?

The use of humidifiers in almost every household has increased over the years. They are a great way to add moisture to the air especially when the air indoors is too dry. We already know that humidifiers provide relief when you have a headache when your sinuses act up, any allergy-related issues, and more.

But what is the right time to start using a humidifier? During the fluctuations in the weather from humidity and dryness, how do you decide what to do? What happens during summertime? And when should you not use a humidifier? Read ahead to get the answer to all your question regarding the use of humidifiers.

Why Should You Use a Humidifier?

There are different types of humidifiers available. They all have specific functions depending on your needs. We will talk more about that later on. But first, under what instances should you use a humidifier? Let’s find out!

Prevent Dry Skin and Chapped Lips

It is normal to have dry skin, chapped lips, and dry eyes when the air lacks humidity. It is frankly an irritating situation where the skin is itchy or it is peeling.

It is almost impossible to keep on moisturizing your skin using lotions and chapsticks all the time. This is where humidifiers are a lifesaver. Humidifiers will prevent the air from becoming too dry and provide you with some relief.

For Sinus and Allergy-related Issues

If you suffer from allergies and sinus issues then humidifiers are a great solution. The increased humidity from humidifiers helps to soothe your sore throat and nasal congestion. While previous models of humidifiers put too much moisture into the air, the newer models can be set at lower levels.

High levels of humidity encourage the spread of house dust mites which could make your allergies worse. Humidifiers, if used correctly will ease the discomfort caused by sinusitis and allergies.

When the Humidity Level Indoors Drop

Humidifiers are mostly used during the cold winter months. When there is humidity in the air outside, the heating system indoor tends to make the air dry. Placing a humidifier will add moisture to the air and make your home feel warmer.

This is because the more water is in the air, the slow sweat evaporates, making the air feel warmer. Even when the weather is just starting to get cold, you can place a humidifier in the room to save on paying high heating bills.

When To Use A Humidifier In The Room?

If the air humidity is below 30% and you regularly have dry skin issues or a runny nose, you may want to purchase a humidifier. It is recommended that the relative humidity in the bedroom be between 40% – 50%. To get an accurate humidity reading, you can use a hygrometer, which can be found at most stores.

Even after you’ve installed a humidifier, you need to be careful about the amount of moisture in the air. At levels exceeding 50%, germs, fungi, and other pathogens may thrive. If they rise over that level, mold, and yeast may swiftly spread in damp environments, and it can even cause structural problems to wooden floors, glasses, and furnishings.

When To Use A Humidifier In The Baby Room?

Low humidity may make a room feel even colder in the winter. Still, it may also make it more likely for children to get nosebleeds, skin irritations, and dry eyes. Coughs may persist long after other flu symptoms have disappeared if you’re in a dry atmosphere. If your child’s room tends to become cold and dry, a humidifier might keep things cozy for him.

You won’t have to use a humidifier as the weather changes continuously, and there’s naturally more humidity in the air. Only bring a humidifier into your kid’s room if the air humidity is below 30% and he has respiratory distress or itchy skin that prevents the baby from sleeping comfortably.

Cool-mist humidifiers are preferable for children to warm-mist humidifiers since they are less harmful to kids. Make sure to find a spot up high where they can’t reach it to knock it over or change the options.

When To Use A Humidifier For Plants?

There is nothing more essential to plant life than water. A humidifier may be useful for maintaining healthy plant life if you live in a dry state.

Humidifying your plants daily will ensure they stay happy and well-hydrated. The mornings are the ideal time to run the humidifier since the plants can take in the water. It’s safe to take a break if the humidity in the room is too high and harms your plants. You can run it for 3-5 hours a day, depending on the moisture level in the air.

Humidifiers should be placed on an elevated object in the middle of the area, several feet from the ground. Keep it close to your plants, but not so near that moisture condenses on their stems.

When To Use A Humidifier vs a Dehumidifier?

Finding the sweet spot between dry and humid conditions may sometimes be questioning. Understanding what your house requires is crucial since excessive, or too little moisture may harm you.

Discovering the distinction between the two is easy. Dryness cracked lips, and a bad cold is some side effects of low humidity. Wooden houses and furnishings may dry up and fracture due to low moisture levels. Humidifiers restore humidity to the air, which helps prevent these problems and keeps airways clean. But many people with allergies or asthma find that their symptoms worsen when the air is too humid. A dehumidifier may reduce the amount of mold, mustiness, and dust in your home by taking extra moisture out of the air.

Humidity levels should stay between 30 and 50 %— the danger to your assets and your well-being increases over that threshold. You can get an accurate humidity reading using a hygrometer, and a cheap digital sensor can be found in stores easily.

When To Use A Humidifier For Cough?

When suffering from a cough, many individuals immediately go for a humidifier. However, there is no magic bullet that can fix all your issues.

When you have a cough, dry air isn’t your friend. Low humidity may aggravate or even trigger coughing in some people. Removing mucus by coughing or blowing when the air is dry gets more challenging.

Humidifiers are useful for moistening the respiratory tract. Increasing the humidity in the bedroom helps ease dry coughing. However, those who suffer from asthma-related coughing should not use it.

What Type of Humidifier is Best for Each Season?

We have already mentioned that there are different types of humidifiers available. This includes cool mist, warm mist, UV (germ-free), ultrasonic, and the whole house. Depending on the use of the humidifier and the size of your space, you can choose a type.

Humidifiers for Winter

During winter, you can use a warm mist humidifier or a cold mist humidifier. A warm mist humidifier is the best humidifier to be used for winter when the air is dry and cold. It is powered by a steam vaporizer that will emit heat when it is on.

The heat emitted is great to warm up the room. On top of that, warm mist humidifiers provide relief against nose congestion, inflammation, nose bleeds, and dry throat. Instead of feeling uncomfortable in the uncirculated hot air, the humidifier will add moisture to the room.

You can expect to find an improvement in the air quality with a reduction in any allergies or respiratory problems. If you are looking for a more affordable humidifier that is energy efficient, then you can use cold mist humidifiers in the winter as well.

They cover more ground than warm mist humidifiers. You can either opt for an ultrasonic, impeller, or evaporative type of cold mist humidifier. They help to soften the mucus blockage and provide relief against allergy symptoms. So if you or your baby has these problems in the winter, you know which humidifier to get.

Can You Use a Humidifier in the Summer?

Humidifiers can be used regardless of the season. As such, you can turn on your humidifier during winter, summer, spring, and autumn. The humidifier can be used if the humidity level is below 30 percent. Although, because of obvious reasons, the use of humidifiers is not as popular in the summer.

As the air is already hot and humid, adding the humidifier will only result in you feeling bothered and uncomfortable. However, there are also benefits of using a humidifier in the summer.

They will help to give you relief against any seasonal allergies, circulate the air, and prevent any nasal and respiratory inflammation and irritation. Also, if you live in an area with extremely high temperatures, the humidifier will stop you from getting dehydrated which can result in dry and chapped skin and nosebleeds.

When to Not Use a Humidifier?

Yes, you can indeed use a humidifier during any season. But you should not use a humidifier if the humidity level exceeds 50%. Get a moisture meter and check if the humidity is more or less than 50%.

If you cannot get your hands on a moisture meter, there are some physical signs you can look out for to determine if you are overusing your humidifier or not. If you notice mold or microbes infestation or see wood items start to decay, it is a sign that there is too much moisture in the air.

Also, if you do not have access to distilled or demineralized water to fill the tank of the humidifier, then it is best not to use one. You will risk spreading contaminants through the room.

Related reading: What Are The Humidifier Benefits?

Conclusion

Regardless of why you’ve decided to add humidifiers to your house, it’s important to know when to use them to get the most. Whether you’re improving indoor air quality for a child, an adult, or a houseplant, it’s crucial to identify your home’s specific requirements.

You may experience dryness and flaking in the summer for the same reasons your skin cracks and shivers in the winter. You may install a hot-mist or cold-mist humidifier in your house. But don’t allow the humidity to get too high without using a dehumidifier. Finally, utilize a hygrometer to monitor the moisture in your home and lead a healthy life.