Is an air purifier the same as a dehumidifier? What is the difference? Air purifiers cycle the air in your room through several filters. Such filters eliminate contaminants and allergens to make air quality better. Humidifiers, on the other hand, add moisture to the air. Both humidifiers and air purifiers do good things to enhance indoor air.
As a result, irritation to your respiratory tract or sinuses that is due to dry air may be relieved.
However, it may hard to understand which option is ideal for your needs. For instance, both products are good for those who have respiratory and sinus issues. But, the way they provide relief may vary.
Basic Functions of a Humidifier and an Air Purifier
Even if you might assume that humidifiers and air purifiers may be used interchangeably, it isn’t the case.
Air Purifiers
The purpose of air purifiers is to eliminate different airborne contaminants from indoor air.
It removes and traps dust particles, allergens, bacteria, pet dander, smoke odors, mold spores, and some dangerous particles.
If your air purifier operates, it sucks the air in your home to the machine and series of filters.
One of the filters is known as HEPA filter and it may capture small particles down to 0.3 microns. The real version of True HEPA is 99. 97% effective in getting rid of airborne contaminants, which irritate asthma, allergies, and some respiratory conditions.
Remember that air purifiers do not add moisture back to the air and functions to filter out and clean the pollution.
Humidifiers
The main function of humidifiers is to add the moisture back to the air of your home. It works through pumping water vapor to a room that might or might not be visible.
To keep your humidifiers running, you should continue adding water to the reservoir. It also converts this water to fine mist and expels that to the surrounding air.
Humidifiers are also best used in the dry areas since they add moisture to the air.
They may help relieve dry skin, nosebleeds, sinuses problems, throat irritation or breathing issues you might experience through being in an arid climate.
It’s essential to know that humidifiers raise the level of relative humidity in a room. If you have high levels of humidity, it may encourage the growth of mold. You like your indoor humidity level to stay between thirty percent and fifty percent.
Below thirty percent is actually considered very dry and may cause problems. Over fifty percent of humidity may encourage the growth of mold, mildew, and reproduction of dust mite.
When Can You Use an Air Purifier
Problems that may be solved through installing air purifiers would have few symptoms than the ones that indicate the need for humidifiers.
Allergies, sneezing, rash, asthma triggers or some respiratory issues call for air purifiers.
You may have air quality tested if you like to know what’s being carried around in it.
When to Use a Humidifier
You’ll likely have no issues determining the need for humidifiers.
Majority of people may tell when the air in their house is very dry and in many climates around the country, it becomes a problem.
Other people are sensitive to dry heat and dry air and would be familiar with the symptoms including eczema breakouts, dry skin, nosebleeds, dry cough, and chapped lips.
In addition to that, there are other ways to test humidity in your house and determine the percentage you’re at.
A humidifier or Air Purifier: What to Choose for Asthma?
Since asthma is due to the irritants in the air around you, air purifiers must be your tool to prevent asthma attacks.
Asthma signs vary with every person that has it, yet they may all be traced back to the primary cause.
Once you get rid of such irritants in the air, you’re going to get rid of your asthma outbreaks.
But, remember that your nasal passages drying out frequently contribute to symptoms produced by the allergens, so it could be prudent to have both.
What Should You Buy for Allergies?
If air allergens cause allergy symptoms, air purifiers will be the solution to a lot of your problems.
But, humidifiers may help keep nasal passages moist that could cut down the severity and frequency of the symptoms that such allergens trigger.
Thus, having both air purifier and humidifier in your house can be a great idea.
Humidifiers vs Air Purifiers: Other Things to Note
Air purifiers go up against humidifiers in the category on how well it solved problems or in the problems since there are some reasons why you might like an air purifier and a humidifier in your house.
While neither of such appliances will get rid of the issue completely, both would go a long way to have air inside your house as clean and pleasant as possible.
When it comes to pricing, a humidifier is absolutely is the most affordable appliance compared to an air purifier.
Good air purifiers may run you hundreds of dollars while humidifiers are often priced under a hundred dollars depending on the style and its features.
You may also choose a combination unit. However, they cost a bit more for the convenience of not having to purchase one or another unit separately.
If you are keeping your air purifier at its lowest setting, it’ll run at about the same level of volume as your humidifiers.
But, if you like to clean air in your entire home or in your room, you will have to run it at a higher setting. Therefore, humidifiers win when it comes to this factor.
Conclusion
Many people don’t realize that polluted air is a primary problem, which results in thousands of deaths yearly.
Researchers said that those people would’ve lived years longer without the damage due to air contaminants.
Only about one-fourth of deaths were attributed to the pollution from the vehicles, which means that humidifiers and air purifiers are no doubt a good investment in your home.
In fact, it can be essential to have a healthy and long life.
