Both the use of an air purifier and an air humidifier function towards improving your air. Each working separately to do its own job. The end function of impacting the air you can breathe is the same. But the purpose and the functions are different. Which has raised questions like can you use these two devices in the same room simultaneously? If you too were thinking about this then we have an answer for you. Read on to know more.
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Air Purifier vs. Air Humidifier
An air purifier is a device used to clean your air from particles and other pollutants present in your home. This device uses a fan and a filter to ensure that your room is safe. The technology used in the filter differs from each purifier. All that this device does is that it filters the air by trapping the pollutants in the filter unit. Further sending it back to the air. Without adding any moisture or doing anything else.
As for the air humidifier, it does not do anything to clean the air. But it will add a little humidity to the room’s air. This is done as the device boils water turning it to steam and then it uses different technology to transfer it into the air. Either by using ultrasonic technology or evaporating the water with a fan and the wick. Therefore making your air much breathable.
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Uses and Health Benefits of Air Purifier and Air Humidifier
Just as these two have different roles and impact the air in different ways. You need to know which one has what effect on your day-to-day life. Some of the most common ones being mentioned here:
For your air purifier, they have been designed to reduce dust mites, pollutants, dander, pollen, and other allergens from the air. Therefore making it a good and handy device for those who suffer from any allergies and even asthma. Since the removal of these from the air ensure you have lesser exposure. Furthermore, with the removal of these irritants, you can reduce symptoms that lead to a cold and flu. Although it can’t help with any dry air problem in your home.
On the other hand, an air humidifier adds moisture to increase the humidity of the room. Especially during cooler weather when it tends to get dry. The dryness causes nose and throat irritation. With the added moisture, you can reduce this. Similarly, if you have a cold or flu and you are down with a stuffy nose or any other related discomfort. All these symptoms can be lessened with the help of a humidifier. Having the humidity at around 40-60 percent makes the virus less infectious. Hence, you do not spread a cold but make it slightly more bearable. This device does not remove the cold that causes allergens but makes the easier for you to breathe. But keep in mind if you do not maintain the humidifier, it can be the cause of your allergies and asthma.
Can you Use an Air Purifier and Air Humidifier Together?
As a matter of fact, it is not an issue to use both of these devices in the same room. As of now, it’s clear they have different purposes. Therefore there is no issue as such to use them together in a room. But keep in mind that placing them close together can hamper the effectiveness. Because the filter of the air purifier can soak the moisture from the humidifier. Which could lead to wastage of filters and also the efficiency of the purifier. Since a damp and soggy environment of the filter can give rise to molds and other bacteria. Which can be the reason you might just fall sick.
Avoid this, by placing them far apart in the same room. You need to maintain and clean both your devices frequently. Clean your humidifier and maintain your purifier by changing the filters. Also, try using distilled water for your humidifier to avoid spreading the minerals in the air from normal water.
When do you Use an Air Purifier and an Air Humidifier?
Rather than using both the devices together unnecessarily, it would be a better choice if you know when to use which device. This way you can control your usage and even alternate with the two devices.
- For bedrooms and kids rooms
It would be a better idea to use a humidifier if you face the problem of breathlessness. As it would help to reduce the dryness from the air. Therefore allowing you and your kids to have a peaceful rest. But if you do not face any dry air problems and neither do you feel breathless it would be best for you to opt for an air purifier. As it can filter your room from any irritants for the long run.
- In case of Allergens
In this case, if you have too much dust or allergens in the air. Your best bet would be with an air purifier. Since it filters out these particles. If you use a humidifier in this case you will worsen the allergies. Therefore after you filter your air you can switch on the humidifier to help with a stuffy nose or other problems which come along with a cold.
- Asthmatic Conditions
Using a humidifier in the case of an asthma attack can help if the dry air is causing it. But also keep in mind that too much moisture can also be the reason behind your asthma. Since the excess moisture gives rise to mold, fungus, and other bacteria. Which can become the possible trigger for frequent attacks. This is why after you run a humidifier you can use an air purifier to keep the moisture in the room in check. And also to remove any allergens causing your asthma attacks away.
But also keep in mind to frequently clean your air humidifier. And make sure you let it air dry once in a while. Since if not the humidifier can be a bacteria breeding ground.
Circumstances to Use Both the Devices Together
All that being said, in most case scenarios you will not find the need to put both the air purifier and the air humidifier on at the same time. Yet, you have very few instances that you might need to. Which might be as follows:
- During Winter
When it gets cold, using a furnace or even a heater can remove the moisture from the air. This is in addition to the cold, dry air caused by the weather. This is when you need a humidifier, and then you will also need an air purifier to get rid of the extra dust brought in by the cool air. To ensure that your air is cleaner as compared to the outside air.
- Allergy Season
Using both the devices together during the allergy season if you are allergic is a must. Since this is when there is pollen present the most in the air. This is in addition to mold, dust, and other pollutants. So running an air purifier will remove these allergens from the air. As for the humidifier, will help with the irritation caused by these pollutants and the dry air.
- COVID Virus
There are a few studies that prove that using an air purifier that has a HEPA filter can filter out small viruses such as COVID as well. Might not be entirely but to some extent. And as for humidifier, can further help slow down the indoor COVID transmission. Especially in these troubled times, these few methods can help in addition to all the other precautionary measures to be taken.
Breath Safe All Year Round
So there now you know if you need and when you need to the use an air purifier and an air humidifier. Both of these devices are handy and necessary in every household. Since it can increase the standard of your air, and relieve you of most problems you didn’t even know you had. Ensure that you can use your air purifier all through the day and night but this is not the case for an air humidifier. You have to switch it off when not in need or when you have the desired humidity. If you do not have either or any one of these devices. You can get the best air purifier in Dubai and the best air humidifier in Dubai in one place.
