Air Purifier vs Humidifier: Which One is Right for You?

Hell readers welcome to the new post. In this post, we will have a look at Air Purifiers vs Humidifiers: Which One is Right for You? Air purifiers and humidifiers can affect the air we breathe in home, but both come with different features. So let’s get started Air Purifier vs Humidifier

Table of Contents

Introduction Air Purifier vs Humidifier

Air Purifiers

When air passes through purifiers it gets pollutants and stops them to again goes to the external environment, as a result, clears the air. Air purifiers are also considered as same humidifiers. But every device comes with some different featues.

Air purifiers are made for air cleaning from allergens and contaminants that handle mold and smells. It can be best for children also adults who are suffering from allergies and asthma.

Humidifiers

The main function of humidifiers is to enhance the quality of air and not decrease particles in the air. But humidifiers are machines that release water vapor or steam in the air to increase humidity levels in a room or home.

Based on the humidifiers used, it releases hot stream or cool water vapor.

Humidifying the room can be best for children and adults who are living in congested conditions. high humidity levels can casues dry, cracked skin and nasal passages due to the absence of moisture in the air during winter.

Humidifiers is important for this service since forced air HVAC systems can dry the home air. But in case of high or low temperatures in external conditions HVAC systems recycle more indoor air since they are high power devices and fastly heat or cold the outdoor air.

Types of air purifiers

Many types of air purifiers are listed here.

Portable Air Purifiers:

It is a small and compact device that can easily be put on a desk or table. It can easily shifted to another position and used in small to medium-sized rooms. It is less costly than other air purifiers.

Whole-House Air Purifiers:

It is used to purify the air in a complete area or room. It is connected to the HVAC system and used in large offices or buildings. it is a high-cost portable air purifier since it is used to cover a larger area.

Central Air Purifiers:

it is connected to the ductwork of the central heating and cooling system and is made to purify the air in a complete room or building. It is best to use for large areas and high-cost module

HEPA Air Purifiers:

These purifiers use HEPA filters that are highly effective for removing pollutants and allergens from the air. It is best to use for offices where workers are victims of allergies or asthma.

UV-C Light Air Purifiers:

It uses UV-C light to remove bacteria, viruses, and other small particles in the air. It is best to use in offices where there is a high risk of germs or viruses.

Activated Carbon Air Purifiers:

It comes with activated carbon filters to remove smell and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. It is best to use in offices where strong odors or pollutants exit

Air Purifier vs. Humidifier: Comparison

Some differences between Air Purifier vs. Humidifiers are explained here

The basic difference between air purifiers and humidifiers is their working. Air purifiers are made to remove pollutants and allergens in the air and humidifiers are used to add moisture to the atmosphere.
Both devices can be best used for offices based on requirements.
If there is a need to remove pollutants and allergens in the air, an air purifier is best to use. It can be best for people who are suffering from allergies or asthma since it reduces the symptoms of these diseases.
HEPA filters are best for removing pollutants and allergens in air since they can easily trap smaller particles about the size of 0.3 microns.
Humidifiers are the best option for adding moisture in the air. It helps to relieve dry skin, scratchy throats, and other dry air issues. It helps to minimize the spreading of germs and viruses since dry air can help them to easily move

Air Purifier vs Humidifier: Which is best for different conditions?

For baby

The humidifier is best to use in the nursery if there is a dry air issue since it can stop dry air, scratchy nose, and throat irritation.
According to the FDA use of cool mist humidifiers can help small babies who are suffering from cough and cold symptoms.
But warm mist humidifiers not be used since it can casues a reverse effect resulting in nasal passages swelling causes breathing difficulty.
The house of humidifiers for maintaining a relative humidity of 40 to 60 percent also reduces the infectiousness of bacteria and viruses.
If there is a need for longer duration air quality air purifiers can minimize pollutants in the air, like the potential toxins of tobacco smoke, out-gassing plastics, and asthma triggers such as mold spores, dust particles, or pet dander or poller. So air purifier is best to use in the baby’s room year-round.

For allergens

The air purifier helps to minimize the allergens levels in the air. The devices with HEPA filters help to trap particles, through Molekule technology beyond that destroying allergens in the air. As humidors soothe stuffy noses or other irritations, that can make allergies at high levels since high humidity increases survival rates of dust mites (Berkeley Lab).

asthma Victim

The humidifiers can handle astham symptoms if dry air causes the issue, but it does not affect asthma, and high indoor humidity levels are related to astham effects since it can cause the growth of hazardous bacteria, and mold Mayo Clinic.
As asthma attacks are triggered by pollutants the air purifiers that can eliminate pollutants are good for asthma.
Note that humidifiers must be clean and best to be dry and wiped down after some use.

Types of Humidifiers

Ultrasonic Humidifiers

This device uses ultrasonic vibration to make cool or hot mist add mist to air, and make air comfortable for people. But it is a high-cost unit and not easily available.

Impeller Humidifiers

it comes with high-speed rotating discs. These discs make a cool mist that is released in the air of your home and increases humidity.

Steam Vaporizers

it uses power to heat water and generate vapor. The machine then cools the mist and releases it into the air. It is less cost device

Evaporators

it has fans and a moistened filer. The high-speed fans make mist in the filter and release in the air. It is a less costly device and can easily connect rooms. it does not have any function to set the humidity level

Central Humidifiers

It is normally configured with an HVAC system in homes and is a high-cost model. But if anyone thinking of single devices for indoor use it is good to use.

The humidifiers have a certain filter that releases mist in air through duct units. But it requried a professional for connection.

Does Air Purifier Work as a Humidifier?

An air purifier is made for removing pollutants and allergens in the air, and a humidifier is for adding moisture to air. Both are best to use in offices and homes according to needs. If there is a need to remove pollutants and allergies in air an air purifier is the best choice.

What are the disadvantages of air humidifiers?

They Can Cause Mold and Bacteria
It Can Cause Excess Moisture
Humidifiers can release minerals and microorganisms. It is not harmful but can cause asthma. Use distilled water and then tap water to avoid issues.
Before storing humidifiers ensure all components are dry to avoid mold growing.

What are the advantages of air purifiers and humidifiers?

Air Purifier:

air purifier against dust

Pollutants like dust that exist in houses are trapped in spaces having poor ventilation. Irrespective its look as a simple irritant, dust attracts mites, and viruses that can cause allergic reactions in people with actual respiratory illnesses. Air purifiers is the best option to remove airborne from indoor air to avoid these reactions and help to avoid illnesses and other health conditions.

air purifier against allergens

Some allergens like pollen can cause allergic reactions in the body through reducing gE antibodies. The air purifiers will filter these impurities by using a filter setup in the device. Common airborne diseases such as flu or common cold can be prevented from spreading in households if an air purifier used

Humidifier:

Preventing influenza,
Reducing snoring,
Making a cough more productive,
Keeping the skin and hair moist,
Best for the home

Do Air purifiers dry the air?

Air purifiers did not have any system that removes moisture from the air. They are made to increase indoor air quality by passing air in filters and other purification systems to remove harmful particles gases etc.

What are the Disadvantages of Air Purifier?

It needed a closed window
It makes airflow
Proper maintenance needed
Old filters worsen air quality
High cost
cost for filter replacement
High operating cost
It not quite
It generated ozone

Can you use air purifier every day?

It is suggested that air purifiers turn on all day and night, also if you are not at home or sleeping. Some think that off the purifiers during the night or when they are not at home saves energy but it is recommended to keep it working

Is sleeping with air purifier good?

Yes it is good to ON air purifier during sleep to have the complete benefits from it

Does air purifier remove dust?

Yes, it removes the impurities in the air like dust, odors, smoke, and other pollutants. Air purification designed is such that also removes small particles from the air we breathe

Differences Between Air purifiers and Humidifiers

Air Purifiers

it is used for cleaning air by removing air pollutants.
its working is that the air filter removes larger and smaller air particles and also absorbs smells. The fan generates airflow.
The larger research suggests using it for allergies
it also used for asthma diseases
its price range is $100-$900
it is best to use When we have low indoor air quality

Humidifiers

It increases indoor humidity levels from 20 to 30 percent to normal humidity (30-50%)
it works by releasing air by use of power heating water or using ultrasonic waves to make a cool mist.
it is used but less for asthma
It used normally in winters
if indoor humidity levels are low then mostly used

Can You Use An Air Purifier And Humidifier Together?

yes, but it is suggested to use both air purifiers and humidifiers if there is an issue with both low indoor air quality and dry air. Since both have different featues to solve the problems

When To Use An Air Purifier And When To Use A Humidifier?

Humidifiers is called season devices. Since there is dry indoor air issues in winter. In summer, indoor humidity levels increase and there is a need for dehumidifiers.

While air purifiers are not seasonal devices. It used for years since air pollutants are gathered indoors, regardless of the season.

Can I use both an air purifier and a humidifier together?

Yes, it can be done, you can use air purifiers and humidifiers with each other to clean the air and add moisture. Some air purifiers come with built-in humidifiers, which helps to get both featues. Make sure to choose a high-quality device that is made to operate well with both air purifiers and humidifiers.

How often do I need to replace the filter in an air purifier?

it is based on type of filter and level of pollution. Normally filter needs to be replaced in 3 to 6 months.

Can a humidifier be used to purify the air?

Humidifiers can add moisture to the air, it is not made for removing pollutants or allergens. If needed to enhance air quality at home use air purifiers.

Special offer:$2 for 1-8 layer PCBs

Sign Up & Get 54$ Coupon