It's surprising how big a difference a little water can make! The relative humidity of the air affects how comfortable we feel. But what is humidity, and what is "relative humidity" relative to? Humidity is defined as the amount of moisture in the air. If you are standing in the bathroom after a hot shower and can see the steam hanging in the air, or if you are outside after a heavy rain, then you are in an area of high humidity. If you are standing in the middle of a desert that has not seen rainfall for two months, or if you are breathing air out of a SCUBA tank , then you are experiencing low humidity.
Air contains a certain amount of water vapor. The amount of water vapor any mass of air can contain depends on the temperature of that air: The warmer the air is, the more water it can hold. A low relative humidity means that the air is dry and could hold a lot more moisture at that temperature. For example, at 20 degrees C 68 degrees F , a cubic meter of air can hold a maximum of 18 grams of water. At 25 degrees C 77 degrees F , it can hold 22 grams of water.
If the temperature is 25 degrees C and a cubic meter of air contains 22 grams of water, then the relative humidity is percent. If it contains 11 grams of water, the relative humidity is 50 percent. If it contains zero grams of water, relative humidity is zero percent. The relative humidity plays a large role in determining our comfort level. If the relative humidity is percent, it means that water will not evaporate -- the air is already saturated with moisture.
Our bodies rely on the evaporation of moisture from our skin for cooling. The lower the relative humidity, the easier it is for moisture to evaporate from our skin and the cooler we feel. You may have heard of the heat index. The chart below lists how hot a given temperature will feel to us in various relative-humidity levels.
If the relative humidity is percent, we feel much hotter than the actual temperature indicates because our sweat does not evaporate at all. If the relative humidity is low, we feel cooler than the actual temperature because our sweat evaporates easily; we can also feel extremely dry. Since it costs a lot less to humidify the air than to heat it, a humidifier can save you a lot of money!
For best indoor comfort and health, a relative humidity of about 45 percent is ideal. At temperatures typically found indoors, this humidity level makes the air feels approximately what the temperature indicates, and your skin and lungs do not dry out and become irritated.
Most buildings cannot maintain this level of humidity without help. In the winter, relative humidity is often much lower than 45 percent, and in the summer it is sometimes higher. Let's see why this is. You do not want to have to get up in the middle of the night to refill your humidifier. If your room is very small, you can use a humidifier with a small reservoir.
One very useful feature is a humidistat, which will automatically shut off the humidifier if the humidity levels get too high. This is very important for preventing excessively humid air that can lead to dampness or mold growth.
Automatic shut-off when the reservoir runs low is another useful feature. Some ultrasonic humidifiers can be used with aromatherapy oils, so look for that feature if it is something you will want.
Maintaining proper humidity levels in a dry climate or during winter is an important element of good indoor air quality. Excessively low humidity can lead to dry, scratchy throats, coughing and dry skin. Wood floors and furniture can be damaged by low humidity. And studies have found that low humidity actually increases the spread of bacteria Arundel et al. When using a humidifier, it is important to reduce the risk of introducing air pollutants like mold and bacteria in the air.
This is to prevent excess mold growth and dust mites in your home. An additional way to maintain air quality is to use an air purifier. The Molekule air purifier is different from traditional air purifiers that simply trap pollutants like mold onto a filter surface; the PECO technology can completely destroy airborne mold and prevent any potential re-release of microbes into the air.
Portable humidifiers are a good option for humidifying specific rooms in your house, and ultrasonic humidifiers do offer some advantages over evaporative humidifiers. Regular cleaning is important no matter what type of humidifier you decide to use, especially to maintain good air quality in your home. Air Quality. Air Purifier Technology. Inside Molekule. Buy Now.
By Ed Grabianowski Contributor. September 30, What is an ultrasonic humidifier? Ultrasonic vs. The benefits of ultrasonic humidifiers Ultrasonic humidifiers offer a few advantages over evaporative humidifiers. They are very good at humidifying the air. This helps to clean any bacteria out of the dispersion mechanism. You can use a little bit of bleach instead if you like, though you should never use vinegar and bleach together or one after the other — the mixture will produce toxic chlorine gas.
Humidifiers are a great tool to manage dry skin, nasal congestion, and warped floors. Make sure to choose a model type that works well for your needs and clean it regularly. We have everything from ultrasonic humidifiers to essential oil diffusers and more. Shop our products and start living more comfortably today. When you bruise your tailbone, sitting down can become uncomfortable and painful.
Not only will sitting cause you tenderness and Are you suffering from knee pain but have no history of trauma to the knee? Or can your doctor never Apply discount code at checkout! Your shopping cart is empty. Skip to main content. Home Caret Right Comfy Reads. What Is a Humidifier? Effects of Low Humidity Low humidity can have a number of detrimental effects on us. Humidity in the Home Low humidity can also make your home feel colder than it is.
Health Benefits of Humidifiers If you often find yourself putting on chapstick or lotion, having a humidifier in your home can help return moisture to your skin. Benefits of Humidifiers for the Home One of the biggest benefits of having a humidifier in your home is lower energy bills.
Anatomy of a Humidifier Humidifier anatomy differs greatly from type to type, but they do all have a few features in common. Humidifier Sizes Humidifiers come in a variety of different sizes depending on where and how they are to be used.
Evaporative Humidifier One of the simplest models of humidifiers is the evaporative humidifier. Steam Humidifier A steam humidifier is a type of warm humidifier. Impeller An impeller uses a fan and speed to break up water into droplets rather than using heat to convert it into steam In these humidifiers, a rotating disk flings water at a comb-like diffuser. Ultrasonic Humidifier An ultrasonic humidifier uses vibration to produce a cool mist to add humidity to your room.
Roller vs Drum Type Humidifiers Humidifiers may use two main methods of transferring water droplets into the air: roller-type or drum-type. Which Type to Choose Which type of humidifier you use depends on your situation and your needs.
Using a Humidifier Safely Burns are one of the biggest safety concerns when it comes to safe humidifier use. Maintaining a Humidifier The first step to cleaning your humidifier is to take it apart and wipe out the reservoir on a regular basis. Leave a comment Comments must be approved before appearing. Post Comment. Allowing a unit to expel too much moisture can create condensation on the walls. As a result, mold can grow and spread throughout the home. Unclean humidifiers can cause bacterial growth that can promote coughs and colds.
Rinse out all the used water between uses. Wash the bucket and filter system every two to three days during usage. Humidifiers can potentially emit minerals and microorganisms. Use distilled water to avoid this problem. When used with care, humidifiers can make a significant difference when it comes to dry skin and airways. However, keep in mind that this is a home remedy — not a medical treatment. Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can relieve cold and allergy symptoms, nosebleeds, and dry skin.
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