Humidifier and Dehumidifier

We care more about the environment and the air we breathe because it is shown to be a very important factor in the development of different types of diseases. When we think of home, we think about a place where we can take care of ourselves and control the air to maintain a proper atmosphere -that is when humidifiers and dehumidifiers come to our rescue.

Let's see the differences between the different types.

What is a humidifier?

The humidifiers are machines that maintain constant humidity of the place where we are. It is usually a simple device, consisting of a container of water that turns into vapor and escapes into the air of the room.

By increasing the humidity of the air, we make it less aggressive for the respiratory system, the throat, and the skin. The lack of moisture in indoor environments can cause irritation, itchy eyes, dry skin, and malaise in general. Also, if we already have a cold, our humidifier can help us cure it better.

Types of humidifiers

There are different types of humidifiers. The three basic categories include cold steam, hot steam, and ionizers.

Cold steam humidifiers

They work by means of ultrasounds that evaporate the water from the tank in a safe and efficient way. One of its advantages is that it can also be used in summer, and thanks to the cold steam, it improves the feeling of the ambient air. Its only disadvantage is that only distilled water should be used to fill its tank. If we use the regular tap water for it, some infectious microorganisms can be transported to the air.

Hot steam humidifiers

It evaporates the water by increasing the temperature of the water. Consequently, it would heat the room where you have put it. They are usually cheaper than cold steam humidifiers.

Ionizing humidifiers

These generate negative ions that clean the air and make it purer.

Although it is always safer to buy a professional humidifier, there are several tricks to create a more humid environment at home.

What is a dehumidifier?

If you live in an area with a very high humidity level, the device you are looking for is a dehumidifier. This happens in coastal areas or places where it rains a lot. When humidity accumulates inside the houses, apart from staining our walls, it can corrode electrical appliances or oxidize metallic surfaces. It can also adversely affect people suffering from arthritis or other bone diseases.

An air dehumidifier is a device that reduces the humidity of the air in the room where we have it. As obvious as their names, the difference that sets it apparat from a humidifier is that one keeps the humidity while the other reduces it. In addition, dehumidifiers will reduce the sensation of heat in summer and cold in winter, since excessive moisture causes more elevated sensations. The dehumidifiers have a deposit where the condensed water of the environment accumulates.

Types of dehumidifiers

If you really feel like your house needs a dehumidifier, it is important that you know the different types that you can find in the market.

Dehumidifiers condensing refrigerators

They tend to be more efficient in terms of energy savings, and they are relatively cheaper. Its operation consists of absorbing the air with the help of a fan and channeling it through a cooling system. During this process, the air condenses and precipitates the water of the environment in a deposit. Before being expelled again, the air temperature returns to room temperature after warming up. It is useful when the temperature of the environment is above 12 degrees because they use a system of conventional refrigeration.

Desiccant or adsorption dehumidifiers

They are used in environments with low temperatures, especially at the industrial level. You can also use them in garages or warehouses. The dehumidification is done by desiccant materials, which condense the air through a chemical reaction.

Here is some more information about humidifiers and dehumidifiers. If you want to discover more interesting things, you can continue reading on our blog.

Benefits of using a humidifier

• You will reduce the possibility of your eyes or lips drying out. These symptoms may worsen due to the low humidity in the environment.
• Reduces the symptoms of respiratory diseases such as asthma, allergies, colds, flu, etc.
• The room where you have the humidifier will be much more pleasant and healthy for your baby.
• It prevents the appearance of cracks in the paint of the walls or in the varnish of the furniture. The walls that are most damaged with a dry environment are the walls that have wallpaper as the edges usually wear off.
• You will prevent indoor plants from drying out even if you don’t water them.

Benefits of using a dehumidifier

• Do not install it. You just have to empty the tank where the condensed water accumulates periodically.
• Improves the symptoms of respiratory problems, such as allergies or asthma. This is because it eliminates the mites that are the cause of much of the respiratory problems.
• Improves arthritis and other bone problems. Moisture is not the main cause of these problems, but it helps aggravate the symptoms in people who already have it.
• Prevents the appearance of moisture on the walls because it prevents condensation as the dehumidifier acts on excess moisture.
• Prevents corrosion of electrical appliances, metal surfaces and pipes.
• It helps to save energy in air conditioning.
• Enhances the speed of drying of clothes. In places, with a lot of humidity, the drying process is slower, and the clothes get an annoying smell due to humidity.

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY TOO MUCH HUMIDITY

In the short term, if the relative humidity level is too high, allergies and persisting symptoms may worsen. You could even develop a crack on the walls, or notice how condensation forms fog inside the windows.

Over time, the odors can get worse and make your house smell musty. Furniture can become deformed and damaged because of the high level of continuous humidity.