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Humidifiers raise the level of humidity in a room or home by adding moisture to the air. Dehumidifiers, as the name implies, reduce humidity by pulling moist air into the unit, keeping the moisture, and sending drier air out the other side.
Does my child need a humidifier or dehumidifier?
Humidifiers are used to alleviate the physical discomforts of dry skin (including the nose, lips, and throat) as well symptoms associated with sinus headaches and asthma. Running a humidifier when your child has a cold will thin mucus secretions, helping to calm a cough and relieve congestion.
Dehumidifiers are essential in fighting dust mite, mold, and mildew allergies. Used properly, a dehumidifier will reduce allergens and improve overall air quality. Since mold and dust mites are both triggers of asthma attacks, asthma sufferers may benefit more from a dehumidifier than a humidifier. It is important to talk with your doctor before using either one in a child’s room.
What are the downsides of a humidifier or de-humidifier?
Many people run their humidifiers too often, and too much humidity can cause rather than relieve health problems. In addition, some ultrasonic and impeller (“cool mist”) humidifiers have been shown to take materials such as microorganisms and minerals from their water tanks and disperse them into the air. Evaporative humidifiers, steam vaporizers, and your dehumidifier may also allow for the growth of microorganisms if they have a tank with standing water, but they are less likely to disperse harmful amounts of pollutant into the air. Certain groups of people, including children, may be particularly susceptible to excess humidity and airborne pollutants.
Which type of humidifier or dehumidifier is best?
To decide which humidifier or dehumidifier is best for you and your child, you need to examine three things: your humidity needs, your willingness and time to clean the appliance, and your safety concerns.
- Steam humidifiers or vaporizers add moisture to the air as hot steam that can be dangerous for children. They require regular cleaning, but they are the closest to being “germ-free” as bacteria in the water are killed by the heat.
- Warm mist humidifiers also produce steam, but it is cooled before being released. The heat kills the bacteria; however, moisture that collects in the unit may attract mold. Regular cleaning is essential.
- Evaporative humidifiers cause moisture to evaporate into the air by blowing air over a wet wick. Wicks must be replaced regularly, or they may become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and mildew.
- Two types of cool mist humidifiers work by sending droplets of water into the air. Ultrasonic humidifiers use high frequency vibrations. Impeller humidifiers employ a high speed rotating disk. Some cool mist brands offer much easier cleaning, but no humidifier is maintenance free. Cool mist humidifiers are more likely to disperse bacteria and they can emit fine mineral particles when used with hard water. Many manufacturers have added filters to purify the mist before it is released. These filters must be changed regularly.
For dehumidifiers, your main consideration is what size to buy. This will depend primarily on the dampness and square footage of your room. A very general guideline is a 25 pint size for up to 400 square feet; then add 10 to the pint size for every additional 200 square feet (35 pint for 600, etc.). Extra dampness, unusual room size, and high ceilings will all require a larger pint size to do the job.
Other aspects you may wish to consider are noise level, automatic shut-off, and a built in humidistat. Several websites provide comparison charts showing the features, prices, and ratings of different brands and models. These sites will also give you information of models that are available if you are trying to humidify or dehumidify an area larger than one room. Type humidifier or dehumidifier into your search engine, and start shopping.
How do I know if I have too much or too little humidity?
The standard recommendation is 30–50% humidity. Below 30% increases problems with dry skin and offers no relief for cold symptoms. Above 50% allows for the growth of mold and dust mites. A humidistat or hygrometer (humidity gauge) either attached directly to your appliance or as a separate device will measure the humidity level in your home and ensure that you are creating the proper levels. You can purchase one of these gauges at your local hardware store.
A quick note about maintenance.
No matter what humidifier or dehumidifier you choose for your child, the most important thing you can do to ensure that it works properly and does not do more harm than good is to clean it well and often. Germs thrive in moist areas, and if you are not committed to cleaning your humidifier or emptying your dehumidifier bucket of standing water, you are probably better off using nothing at all. That being said, humidifiers and dehumidifiers can offer significant health benefits to families willing to keep up with the maintenance.
Assess your child’s health needs, and talk with your doctor. Then use the information above to pick the perfect humidifier or dehumidifier for your family.
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