Buying a humidifier is one decision you have to make irrespective of the season. Whether it is fall, spring, or winter, humidifiers will always be essential. But there are so many factors you need to consider before putting down your top dollar.
You may be reading this because it’s your first time trying to install a humidifier. It may also result from the fact that you realize your last purchase came from a wrong decision.
Like other appliances in the home, there should be a certain level of due diligence pre-purchase. There are models you need to research and there are features you need to look out for. Without a proper guide, all of these may end up confusing you. You see, there are various humidifiers, there are different feature modifications, additions, and customizations. That’s the world we live in — an array of products to suit different needs.
Hence, we figure you may need a helping hand on how to choose a humidifier. From the features you should look out for to the prices, this humidifier buying guide is all you need. But first, do you even need a humidifier?
Why Do You Need a Humidifier?
Not everyone can afford a humidifier. Those who can’t seem to be living well and do not develop constant health complications from dry air. Why then should you bother investing in creating more humid air? Why should you forego other expenses for buying a humidifier?
You may be familiar with the benefits of having humidifiers or not. But emphasis brings about the conviction that the purchase is worth it. Here are the advantages that come with installing a humidifier in your Vaughan home.
It helps in moisturizing your skin.
Humidifiers are bought to combat the dryness in the air, generally. A direct effect of this is the moistening of the skin — and lips, in extension. When the air is dry, your skin will have unpleasant symptoms — the dryness of the air results in a loss of moisture from the skin. The persistence of this causes your skin to become light, dry, itchy, and flaky.
The most sensitive parts of this condition are those of the hands and lips. The skin on your hands has a reduced concentration of oil glands, unlike other parts of the body. Also, your lips have very tender skin. These peculiarities make it essential that you do something to protect against dry air — buying a humidifier. When the air starts feeling dry, that is when to buy a humidifier. You don’t need to wait till your lips are all cracked.
Protect your throat
You may feel you aren’t a presenter, neither are you a singer. Hence, there’s no need for a well-moisturized throat. That’s not true. Getting your throat dry can result in discomfort, even if all you do is discuss it with your co-worker. When the air indoor can only boast of much-reduced moisture, your vocal cords dry up and scratch. Therefore, you end up feeling varying degrees of irritation that’s proportional to the level of dryness.
In worst-case scenarios, you may lose your voice – temporarily, of course. Things can get bad pretty quickly if you had the flu recently. Before getting to this point, you should consider buying a humidifier. By having an optimal level of humidity in your home, your throat enjoys lubrication and soothing air.
Soothes your sinuses
If you have ever felt discomfort in your breathing, you’ll be willing to give anything to prevent a future occurrence. When the humidity is low, the first port of call of its effects is the sinus passages. The level of discomfort that comes with it is unreal. Amongst these are; bloody noses, sinus pressure, headaches, etc.
Also, when you feel your nose getting stuffy, increasing the room’s humidity with a humidifier can help. This may seem like an anomalous ideal, but it’s real. The increase in the room’s humidity keeps the mucous flowing. Hence, rather than holding up in your nose, they find their way out. The general soothing effect of humidity on the nasal cavity is a significant reason for buying a humidifier.
Ease the effects of illnesses
If you have ever wondered why humidifiers are necessary for a sick person’s ward, this is it. The presence of humidifiers can help patients deal with symptoms that accompany illnesses. These symptoms include breathing difficulties, a stuffy nose, and a painful throat. The presence of a humidifier reduced these symptoms, making it easy for the patient to rest.
You don’t have to be bed-ridden to enjoy this advantage. Having a cold or the flu can necessitate this. Health is wealth; there is nothing too expensive to buy, as long as it improves your health.
It can reduce snoring
If the cost of installing a humidifier in Vaughan terrifies you, counter it with the thought of good night’s sleep. How much will you value a night of sleep without snoring? Dry air contributes to whether you snore or not. It also contributes to how severe it gets. The moisture deficiency in the air results in a swollen throat, ultimately resulting in a congested nose.
Once the nose gets congested, inhalation and exhalation suffer restriction. As a result, your mouth automatically opens to let air in and out. This is how snoring occurs. But if you end up buying a humidifier, the nose’s dryness reduces if not eliminated.
Humidifies your house plants
If having houseplants is your thing, then buying a humidifier becomes more than necessary. When the air’s condition is optimal, your houseplants will blossom exceedingly well. They thrive when there’s enough moisture in the air. Most houseplants originate from the wild. They can only continue to do well when the conditions are similar to those of the wild.
Of course, many plants don’t need so much humidity, while others do. Irrespective of your houseplant’s preference, having a regulated humid condition in your home is never a bad idea. If you have found a reason to buy a humidifier, let’s get into the vital tips for choosing the right humidifier.
Ultimate Guide to Buying a Humidifier
We don’t know how meticulous you are with choosing other gadgets in your home. One thing we do know is choosing a humidifier needs thinking through. This section of the article will do justice to what to know before buying a humidifier.
Since you now know the various benefits that come with the use of a humidifier, let’s explore the types.
Types of Humidifiers
When it comes to buying household gadgets, your query should always start from the types there are. This is for obvious reasons – the different types result from differences in features and customizations. For humidifiers, there are five main types. At the end of this section, you should decide on a type before getting humidifier installation in Vaughan.
Ultrasonic Cool/Warm Mist
Homeowners buy this type because of the ease of maintenance. The design of this humidifier sees it release mist into the air for evaporation before touching the ground.
In this type of humidifier, there is a metal diaphragm that vibrates due to ultrasonic frequency. Also, the processes involved in the production of the mists are silent.
Cool Mist Humidifiers
These humidifiers are more adapted for warmer climates. They function by releasing cold vapor into the air. There is also the presence of an air filter that sieves impurities in the water. For cold regions, summertime is also suitable for this type of humidifier.
This type of humidifier is less prone to bacterial contamination and mineral dust. However, it can be very noisy. The benefits of this humidifier include its cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance. It is also very safe for use around pets.
Evaporators
This type of humidifier functions by blowing moisture into a moistened filter. The humidity is released into the air from a fan. Generally, they are less expensive. Though, you should know that it cannot serve your whole home at once. It’s best used for one room at a time.
Also, if there is an asthma patient in your home, do not opt for this choice. The side effect of this type of humidifier is that it causes mould growth.
Air Washers
These are humidifiers that are used in cleaning the air while improving the humidity of your room. With this humidifier, you can get rid of pollen and dust particles from the air in your home. From the control panel, there is the option of ‘cool mist.’
Once you decide to buy this humidifier, you must be ready to perform regular maintenance checks. You must clean them regularly and make sure they are away from danger as much as possible. You should also note that there is a limit to the atmospheric dirt they can eliminate. They are great with larger chunks of dirt but do poorly with micro-dirt.
Vaporizer
Vaporizers are more flexible. You can either select cool or warm mist. When you are suffering from flu or the cold, they are also a great option. This is so because you can always add inhalants to them. They are also very affordable.
You should only get vaporizers if your kids are grown up. They’d be able to stay away consciously. Smaller kids can end up suffering slight burns if they mishandle the device. Another downside is the difficulty in maintenance.
The upside to it is reduced energy consumption. They are also very quiet and accumulate less dust. Bacterial contamination is also highly reduced with these humidifiers.
Related article: Cost of Humidifier Installation in Canada
Controlling Levels of Humidity
One critical guide to buying a humidifier is to note the level of ‘control.’ Humidity is great for the air and the home. However, control is vital. When it’s too much, humidity puts you at risk of health issues. You need to ensure that the humidity doesn’t get too much and is not deficient. This balance is critical, and you must be ready to ensure it.
Respiratory issues can result from high humidity levels. The same goes for the creation of uncomfortable dampness in the air. Potential resultants from excessive humidity are;
- Dust mites
- Growth of mildew
- Mould
- Growth of harmful bacteria
According to experts, it’s best if humidity levels in your Vaughan home stay somewhere between 30 and 50%. Due to the need for control, go for a humidifier that features a hygrometer. A hygrometer is a device that determines the humidity level of the home.
You can also buy hygrometers separately from hardware stores. Please make sure you test for humidity levels every day — you don’t want to lose track of it.
What Are the Risks That Humidifiers Pose?
Nothing good comes without downsides. In the case of careless handling and usage, some issues may result.
- Burns: These are common if you have children in the home. It would help if you placed the humidifiers out of children’s reach.
- Condensation: When the humidifier gives off too much moisture, this moisture may begin to condense on the wall. This leads to mould growth, which can result in illnesses such as cough and cold.
Regularly rinse out the used water, ensure proper cleaning of the units. You should also wash the bucket and filter systems.
Questions to ask while shopping for a humidifier
When buying a humidifier, there are some questions that will help you pick the right one.
Where will I place it?
Getting the biggest size doesn’t mean you are getting the highest quality. So, rule that out. You should know where exactly you are placing it. The big one may not fit your room, especially if you have a small room. The big products will only make your room too humid. This can result in breeding moulds.
How easy is it to use?
You don’t want a humidifier that will take a college degree to operate. Get one you can easily control. It should also be very easy to move around. For instance, you can choose to install a table humidifier. You can also get the floor model. As far as it’s easy to move, you are good to go. If you are getting an evaporator, you should ensure it’s easy to replace the wick.
Does this product have a humidistat?
You may get busy, and controlling your humidifier manually becomes nearly impossible. A humidistat comes to your aid here. With humidifiers that come with humidistats, you can set a specific humidity level. Once it reaches this level, it shuts off. This feature is common with humidifiers meant for larger spaces.
How hard is it to clean?
There is a difference in how to clean the different models of humidifiers. Except you have the time, it’s best to select products that are easy to clean. You may ask a humidifier installation expert for help and clarity here. Maintenance is essential because a lack of it leads to bacterial growth. Hence, get one you can easily wipe clean in minutes.
When is the Best Time to Buy a Humidifier?
There is no restriction on when to buy a humidifier. You can use it in any season, though you must note some peculiarities.
- For summer: The humidifier is not popular in summer since the air is humid and hot already. There is always a drop in sales this season. Since it’s in low demand this season, a lower price is probable. You could plan and save ahead by making a purchase now in preparation for spring, fall, and winter.
- For winter: You need a humidifier more than ever in this season. The humidity level is generally below 30%. Due to the cold, the heaters are always working, while the windows are closed. Hence, there is improper ventilation. The humidifier comes in at this point, improving air quality. The best duo during winter is the heater and humidifier.
Note: Do not use a humidifier when the humidity level is above 50%. You can find this out with the help of a hygrometer. And, rather than buying a hygrometer in itself to check this, you can buy a humidifier fitted with one.
Cost of Installing a Humidifier in Vaughan
With the hope that you now understand what to know before buying a humidifier, pricing is next. Humidifier pricing varies, especially concerning installation. Different factors may affect the price of a humidifier, including
- The capacity of the humidifier
- Size of your space
- Location
- Installation
On average, the cost of installing a humidifier in Vaughan is about $600. The range of this pricing is wide, as it depends on the model you choose. It can be as low as $200 and as high as $1000. Include this humidifier price range in your budget then reach out to an expert for specifics.
Final Take
Buying a humidifier always takes more thought than you’ll envisage. But, it’s all worth it when used correctly. The relationship between ambient conditions and health can be surprising sometimes. The humidity in the home affects physical health and can also influence the mental state of a person. It can influence your mood more than you think.
And you don’t just jump into the market to pick any product. You need to be deliberate about it. There is no better way to go about this than to work with an expert.
Here at ALP Heating, our experts will guide you in buying the right humidifier for your space. We offer first-glad consultation, installation and maintenance services. Reach out to us today!
