Humidifiers for Adults – Health Benefits, Types & Risks

Humidifiers for Adults – Health Benefits, Types & Risks

For good housekeeping, adults need to look at the criteria of choosing the right humidifier that fits their needs, like how easy they are to set up, fill, clean, transport, control intuitiveness, and sound level and energy consumption.

The latest option for adults is ultrasonic humidifiers, which rely on high-frequency sound vibrations to add mist to the air. Since they do not have any fan–or any other moving part–they are quieter and recommended for adults.

Table Of Contents

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In A Hurry?

If you require a humidifier and do not want to read the entire article, below are the recommended items from the article.  (Low, Medium and High Price)

Which Is the best Humidifier for Adults

When dealing with Adults, the best humidifier is the Humidifiers for Large Room Bedroom,Keecoon 8L Diffusers for Essential Oils

However, this will depend on several things, like if you want it to do several tasks – like Dorm Room, or Cold and Flu symptoms.

There will also be costs for the humidifier - like Mist Type, Water Tank Capacity, Coverage Area and Noise Level. So as you can see, there is a lot in picking the right humidifier!

The easiest thing is to keep the indoor moisture between 30% and 50%, so if the air in the house is too dry, a humidifier can help. For both babies and adults, dry air may be problem-sensitive, but this is how a humidifier can help;

  • Humidifiers can get the balance just right by adding moisture back into the air.
  • They can help ease all health problems of breathing congestion, which might lead to better night-time sleep–because there will be no more snoring for you or your spouse because of congestion!

Thus, adults should look at features like the tank capacity, output capacity (gallons/day), and how long a single tank fill will last. Perhaps most importantly, you should measure the time it takes to reach the set humidity levels.

How Do You Test That A Humidifier Is Suitable For Your Household?

You should consider the humidifier features to select the right one for your home.

What to Look At When Shopping For Suitable Humidifiers

Cool Mist and Warm Mist

Cool and warm mist devices add moisture efficiently to the atmosphere. Still, cool mist alternatives are usually best for households with children and older adults because there are no burn risks from the heating source. In contrast, warm mist choices are best for eliminating the possibility of more germs and bacteria.

Size

I design your humidifier for a specific room size depending on factors like the tank size and discharge rate. The manufacturer usually lists the square footage and its sit size on the humidifier's packaging and marketing materials. If you need humidity relief throughout your home, you can consider a complete and bigger home humidifier.

It takes longer for a bigger tank to empty. Like most high-end humidifiers, some bigger ultrasonic humidifiers can hydrate almost any portion of your house. 

Operating Time

Over and above all, there are other qualities to consider, choosing the type of humidification that is right for you.  Others can function for just a few hours before refilling is demanded; others may operate 24 hours a day or 72 hours.

Those that require a daily refill help provide an auto-off option to keep the humidifier from working until the water drains. Consider one with a timer to save energy.

If you buy one without a runtime, you cannot time its operation, which means it might as well cause a disaster like a risk of burning if the humidifier is a warm-mist ultrasonic type. If you are a parent, a humidifier with a timer is just what you need.

Noise Level

A device that operates silently and provides a peaceful and calm environment is what you need after a hard day at work. And if you are someone who gets irritated by noise quickly, you don't have to think about this machine's running sound. It operates quietly and lets you sleep peacefully.

But remember that the higher the dB units(decibels-units used to measure the noise of any humidifier), the louder it will be. So look at the package and take note of the dB unit levels of your preferred humidifier.

Tank Layout

The tank structure is essential for most humidifiers to have a decent experience. Look for those with wide openings that encourage refilling and convenient cleaning. Transparent designs are also useful because they enable you to see how full or almost-empty the tank is, and therefore when to refill.

Facilitates Cleaning / Clean Control

To avoid mold growth, bacteria, and microbes (the last item that you need in coping with respiratory problems), clean your humidifier at a minimum once a week which is incredibly necessary. Ensure that the machine is quickly dismantled and scrubbed, as you frequently do so. That said, since most ultrasonic humidifiers do not have any filter, they stand at a greater risk of mineral scaling problems. 

The filter system avoids the growth of bacteria, molds, and viruses in the humidifier's reservoir and helps to keep your home away from air pollutants through all seasons. Consequently, the mist it sprinkles will free your home from these pollutants in its tow, which lowers the operating expenses of cleaning it all the time. So if you get one with a filter, it would be a miracle, and hold on to it.

Filter

Filters extract all germ particles, but some ultrasonic humidifiers don't need continuous removal of a filter because they come with none. There is no need for any filter replacement either–since it does not include a filter. But you can search for one that has a filter to minimize costs of maintenance and monthly costs of replacement and cleansing.

Although there is nothing so wrong with filterless humidifiers, they need to be rinsed every day. If not cleaned, there is a chance of bacterial growth until you do so. There is no need for that if it comes with a self-cleaning control function.

Auto-Shutoff

Purchasing a humidifier that provides an auto-shutoff feature is safer for adults who are parents. Each moment the tank drains, this function will come into effect. It would turn off the system to prevent overheating, thus energy efficiency and security.

You can set the machine conveniently to work at night on your kid's table and worry less about injuries since it comes with an auto-shutoff security function. Remember, if it overheats and has no auto-turnoff, it can burn and blow when drained.

Extra features

Some ultrasonic humidifiers have three adjustable humidity levels. Besides, three layers of humidity allow you a lot of control over their operation. If you know how low and high, the humidity levels are, you can opt for one with this feature. Some also come with a provision of adding essential oils. Fragrance pads and a cleaning brush are also available while shopping for these kinds of humidifiers.

Since you have come this far, you are ready to go shopping and are aware of what to look out for the best humidifier that will suit your needs. Well, best of luck!

How to stay cool!

Being extremely dry and overheated is a common problem in the wintertime. Mild to moderate levels of dryness can be caused by issues such as your heating system not venting well, a low humidity level in your home, poorly insulated windows and doors, or if you’re susceptible to allergies. Humidifiers can help balance out these issues by adding moisture to the air in your home.

There are many ways that humidifiers work- they use steam/humidity when heated with an internal fan, an evaporative wick that absorbs water from the air, or with ultrasonic oscillators that bounce sound waves off moist surfaces.

How to keep cool for adults:

1) Moisture and Heat

Due to the difference in temperature between our skin and the air that we breathe, when we run out of the moisture in our bodies, our body heat is given off which causes us to become cold. Humidifiers help repopulate this loss of moisture by activating our skin’s natural perspiration process so that it can be reabsorbed into our bodies.

2) Air Purification

Humidifiers also help with the purification of indoor air. While the most common form of humidification is the evaporation of water, this process is not without its drawbacks. Humidifiers trap particles and other airborne chemicals in water vapor, which can then contaminate indoor air. Some materials such as pollen and allergens are made worse once they are saturated with water vapor.

While humidifiers should be used in moderation to keep air and body tissues healthy, they can help filter out airborne particles that may lead to asthma or other respiratory illnesses. This is especially important to people who suffer from allergies, as it helps keep these diseases at bay on a day-to-day basis.

3) Auto-Aeration

Humidifying devices that use a water tank to humidify air typically have the same problem as ultrasonic air humidifiers. Water evaporates and can collect impurities in the water vapor it produces, which are then released into the air once the water vapor is released from its container.

This can lead to problems such as yellowing of teeth, "salty" skin, and "fishy" or strong odors. Because these issues arise from indoor environment air contaminant, it is often not possible to clean up after a single use.

4) Humidity Restores

Some people are not effected by dry air, or the loss of moisture that comes from the evaporation of water. If your home is naturally very dry, you might have to use a humidifier often. Also, those who are susceptible to allergies or respiratory issues may have to use a humidifier on a daily basis.

In both of these situations, it's not always necessary to turn on the humidifier every time you enter your house. It can be beneficial to put your humidifiers on a timed schedule in order to keep them running while you're away all day.

5) No Matter What

Humidifiers can and should be used in any situation. Their value cannot be overstated, and they have helped millions of people throughout the globe. Humidifiers aren’t just unique for their use in a home, they are also really popular with hospitals and businesses.

We hope that by reading this article you’ll know more about the benefits of using a humidifier, and how to make it work for you!

6) How To Save Money And Energy

Using a humidifier in your home not only improves your indoor air quality but also can save you money on your electric bill. This is because the difference between the temperature and humidity in a room can affect how much energy you use on a daily basis. This is because even though it is cold outside, high temperatures inside can cause you to turn up your thermostat to try and keep warm.

Humidifiers add moisture to the air- which lowers the relative humidity inside of the house or building. However, this doesn’t change the actual temperature of the air, just what happens in average daily temps throughout the year.

7) Dry Skin

Dry skin is caused by a lack of moisture in our bodies which causes our skin to crack. It can also lead to dry hair, itchy eyes, and even cause minor injuries to heal much slower. Overall having moist air circulating around you can greatly reduce the chances of developing dry skin.

8) Allergies and Sinus Problems

The symptoms for allergies are usually triggered when the pollen inside the air comes into contact with your mucus membranes in your nose, ears, eyes and mouth. According to studies, humidifiers decrease airborne allergens by cutting down on dust mites and their egg count in your bedroom, which decreases allergic reaction.

9) Breathing

The amount of air that we breathe in and out is dependent on the humidity levels of not only our own bodies, but also the air around us. Our lungs are dynamic in their breathing capabilities and allows us to change our breathing pattern according to changes in humidity levels.

For example, if there is a lack of humidity or extreme heat, it can cause a condition known as hyperventilation which can lead to dizziness, chest pain, and even fainting. Hyperventilating further reduces your body temperature which causes further issues like fevers, headaches and general weakness.

10) Weakened Immune System

Our immune system needs moisture and heat to function properly. If our body is constantly exposed to dry air, it can lower our immune system’s ability to fight off infections.

According to a study printed in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2009, researchers found that African-American children who were exposed to low humidity levels during the winter months had a higher risk of developing upper respiratory tract infections.

The American Lung Association has also stated that having an insufficient level of humid air in your home is linked to developing bronchitis and other inflammatory lung diseases.

Please Note: Just because a humidifier is marked, for example “Baby Room”, it will still work for other things, for example “Living Room” or “Plant Humidifier”

Items To Buy

Again, the humidifiers below are probably the ones that you will need to buy!

The prices of these are low, medium and high. This will give you the best range. The lower prices will not have all the bells-and-whistles, and the higher price one's will.

  • FILTERED COOL MOISTURE: This top-fill humidifier quietly produces an invisible cool mist that helps make you & your home more comfortable. It's designed for large sized rooms and features a digital humidistat that displays current & set humidity levels; 12 Hour Timer
  • COOL MOISTURE FOR HOME OR OFFICE: This humidifier features a removeable top fill tank that's easy to fill at the sink or with a water pitcher. Space saving slim tower design is optimized for high moisture output & can run for 24 hours with auto shut-off
  • HONEYWELL HUMIDIFIERS: Humidity levels in your home between 40-60% can make the air feel warmer & improve your breathing comfort, sleeping, nasal congestion & dry skin. Dry air can cause static electricity, damage wooden furniture & irritate health issues
  • HUMIDIFIERS FOR BABIES, CHILDREN, ADULTS: Humidifiers diffuse moisture into the air, and many find that a humidifier for the home, bedroom or nursery becomes an essential part of a good nights sleep when the air is dry, in allergy season, or when sick
  • HONEYWELL QUALITY: Improve humidity levels in your home & improve your comfort with a Honeywell humidifier.
  • [Humidifiers for Large Room & Bedroom] The 2.11-gallon ultrasonic humidifier is designed for large rooms up to 500 sq ft & long lasts for 24 hours humidification between refill. Best whole house humidifiers for home, bedroom, dorm and living room!
  • [Top Fill Design Humidifiers with Essential Oils Tray] Features a 2.1 Gallons detachable water tank, you can easily open the lid to add water from top without bending over! Add your favorite essential oils to the tray on the back of the humidifier to relax and enjoy your undisturbed time. NOTE: Before use, put one tissue into the tray for a long machine lifetime.
  • [Customized Humidity & 3 Speed Options] It has an adjustable humidistat, with 3 levels of humidification, and a maximum of 300mL/h fine mist output. You can easily customize your humidity at home. Note: The ideal indoor humidity range is 45%-60%.
  • [Whisper Quiet & Water Shortage Protection] This large capacity humidifier runs below 35dB, which promotes a good night’s sleep for the family, especially the baby! If it reaches your custom humidity or there is no water in the humidifier, it will automatically shut down to prevent damage and ensure your safety.
  • [30 Days Free Replacement & 1 Year Warranty] We firmly stand behind our products. Please feel free to contact us for any product assistance, and the best after-sales service team is always with you.

Other Questions

Can adults use humidifiers?

Adults experiencing itchiness and dryness, congestion and air shortage can enjoy humidifiers. Humidifiers are a perfect solution for treating problems resulting from skin dryness. A humidifier relieves dryness.

If your throat, lips, and skin feel drier, you might find humidifiers viable. This is because they aerate the room and ensure that there is adequate circulation of air. Adults who battle flu and cold-associated symptoms can find humidifiers ideal. Because they lessen the symptoms' severity.

While there is nothing wrong with using humidifiers, overusing them worsens respiratory conditions. It will help if you understand how to use the humidifier. Ensure that the humidity levels are standard or as suggested by the manufacturer.

 

Where should you place a humidifier in a room?

Deciding where to place a humidifier can be confusing. Though the dehumidifier's type determines its position, you can put it closer to the bed. The best way to know if the unit is effective is by having it closer to you.

Because its air may not ventilate the entire room. You can place it at least three feet away from the bed so that you are not exposed to the moisture.

 Ensure you keep it away from the wall, electrical appliances, furniture, and thermostat. It could reduce its effectiveness. How you position and distance the ventilation unit ensures adequate air distribution.

 

Can you put a humidifier next to your bed?

It is possible to put your humidifier near your bed if you want to feel its effectiveness. But, positioning it too close can be risky. 3 feet away could be perfect.

You shouldn't put it too close. Because too much exposure to it can worsen respiratory conditions and symptoms. Besides, you can easily knock it off when getting out of bed and cause it to malfunction.

References

If you require more information, please check these references

A new humidifier , article, "watermark.silverchair.com", retrieved on, Fri 16-October-2020

Humidifier disinfectant disaster: what is known and what needs to be clarified , article, "www.eaht.org", retrieved on, Fri 16-October-2020

A heated humidifier reduces upper airway dryness during continuous positive airway pressure therapy , article, "www.sciencedirect.com", retrieved on, Fri 16-October-2020

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Nick Le Page

 An air purifier is a device designed to remove dust, pollen, smoke, soot, mold spores, smog, and other airborne pollutants from the air.

If you want to keep your home clean and free of contaminants—and save money on heating and air conditioning bills—quality air purifiers are a powerful first step.

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