These two appliances are vastly different, but they both offer optimized air quality. The decision on which one is the right choice for you and your needs could be as simple as just going with both to help make your environment the healthiest it can be. But if you don’t have the budget for both, you may need to make a tough decision.
So, in this article, we are going to look at each, and what each has to offer so you can make an educated purchasing choice.
Humidifier: Pros and Cons
A humidifier is used to add moisturizer to the air. This is done by putting water vapor into the air. If you keep this unit running, you will have to continue to add water to the reservoir. When you keep it filled, it will continue to release a fine mist. These are popular in dry areas. They can help with dry skin and other health issues arising from the lack of moisture.
Types
Cool Mist
These units are easy to clean but do not have any risk of burns. In fact, this unit can work with medical inhalants that can be helpful with ailments having to do with the respiratory system. This is easy to maintain and can be the more affordable option. They can have issues with bacterial growth and contamination, plus they tend to be a bit noisy.
Ultrasonic
These are perhaps the most energy-efficient, but are a bit noisy. There is a risk of burns and is easy to maintain. They also have a problem with bacterial growth and contamination. They may be more expensive.
Evaporative
These are simple to use and super affordable. It is excellent to be used for asthma and allergies. It takes very little to maintain, especially when cleaning. It does have a noise issue and can have a problem with contamination from bacteria if not maintained.
Warm Mist
These are possibly the quietest of the option but are not energy efficient and are more challenging to maintain. These are not great for homes with children.
Pros
- Health
- Furniture life extension
Cons
- Maintenance
- Condensation
- Bacteria growth
Air Purifier: Pros and Cons
This appliance is used to filter pollens, allergens, and bacteria from the air to help make purer air that will help with the overall health and purity quality. It will trap this all in filters that will need to be replaced regularly to maintain performance.
The air is pulled in through one vent and then pulled through multiple filters. Usually, it starts with a HEPA filter and then moves on thee to others. This will not add moisture to the air to solve dryness.
Types
Ultraviolet
This type uses ultraviolet light to remove bacteria, viruses, and allergens from your home’s air. These are small and compact machines that suck air through filters and use UV lights to kill those pathogens. They can be very affordable.
HEPA
This type uses an advanced filtration system to remove a large portion of the allergens from your air. These options have a wide range of price points available.
Activated Carbon
These are great at removing smoke, odors and other things from inside your home. These models will also house other filters to help cleanse the air. These models usually are an expensive option.
Ionic
These may be the quietest of the options because it operates with no motor. These units emit negative ions in the air that combine with dust particles that are positively charged. Once they are joined, the particles gets heavy and fall out of the air. Then the unit will use static electricity to grab it out of the air and trap it.
Pros
- Breathing easier
- Removal of dust particles
- Improves skin health
Cons
- Issues with ozone creation
- Maintenance
Which One is Right for You?
Now that you know a little about each, let’s look at what each has to offer.
An air purifier is suitable for those that:
- Suffer from asthma, allergies or respiratory issues that can be agitated by polluted air
- If you have pets and need to remove the pet dander and hair
- If you live in an area where there are high dust levels and want to reduce the amount of t in your home
- If you have a house that has an odor from cooking, smoking or pets that you want
A humidifier is suitable for those that:
- Live in deserts or dry climates
- You need moisture added to your air for health reasons
- You suffer from nosebleeds, sinus problems or respiratory problems that are agitated by dry air
Final Thoughts
Some people will get the most out of one or the other, and then some will benefit from using both. By knowing what each one does, you will be able to decide which one is the best option for you and your household air needs. Hopefully, this information has helped you and made your decision easier.