Having either too much or too little moisture can lead to problems in your home and with your health. Understanding which solution your home needs will help you to create the optimal conditions for you and your family to live. For optimal health and comfort, it’s recommended that you maintain a humidity level between thirty-five and fifty per cent. When your home’s levels fail to fall within this ideal range, you need to find a way to correct this.

For homeowners who want to take control of their indoor humidity levels, a humidifier or a dehumidifier can be the ideal solution. Each of these devices can be incredibly effective when used in the right circumstance. However, you need to be sure to choose wisely. Many homeowners often confuse humidifiers and dehumidifiers and what each of these devices does. Understanding the difference, uses and benefits of each of these machines will help you to choose the best solution for your needs.

Let’s take a closer look at the specifics of humidifiers and dehumidifiers to learn more about these often mixed up appliances.

What Is A Humidifier?

Humidifiers are used to add more moisture into the air when the air is dry. There are two primary types of humidifiers, cool-mist humidifiers and warm-mist humidifiers, also referred to as steam vaporisers. Both of these devices are used to add moisture back into the air. Cool-mist humidifiers work by breaking down water into tiny particles and expelling them into the air as water vapour. On the other hand, warm-mist vaporisers boil water to create steam that is cooled before entering the air. These vaporisers can also be used with essential oils, while cool-mist cannot.

What Is A Dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers are used to take moisture out of the air when the air is too humid, serving the exact opposite function to humidifiers. A dehumidifier is a device designed to take warm air in via a fan, pulling the air through metal coils that are cooled by a refrigerant. On passing through the cooling coils, the warm air converts into tiny water droplets forming condensation which is then stored in a removable tank in the unit. You can also try building your own DIY humidifier.

Benefits Of A Humidifier

Whether you use a humidifier to improve your home’s humidity levels by adding more moisture to the air, or you use a dehumidifier to correct the humidity levels by removing moisture from the air, achieving optimal humidity levels is the goal. Correcting the humidity levels in your home using either device can improve air quality. It also lowers the risk of mould developing in your home, discourages pests, and makes your home more comfortable for those with allergies, asthma or any other respiratory conditions.

Choose The Right Device For Your Particular Situation

If there is too much moisture in the air in your home, you will need to reduce the humidity in your home using a dehumidifier. Drawing more moisture out of the air will help to reduce the humidity levels in your home, making it a healthier and more comfortable place for you and your family to live.

Humidifiers are a fantastic choice for dry areas which could otherwise cause irritation over extended periods. Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, are an excellent addition to any area that is prone to mildew or mould, due to their ability to lower the amount of humidity in the air that can cause mould spores to flourish.

Be sure to assess your home’s needs carefully so that you can make the right choice for your particular circumstances. Using the right solution in the correct situation will help you to control the humidity levels in your home, ensuring the health of your family and your property are protected.