Do Air Humidifiers Clean Indoor air Pollution?
Living in Greenville, Texas, means having to cope with dry, arid air all year round. While many residents would prefer dry air to the extreme humidity of other climates, this can result in having indoor air with very little moisture. Dry skin, respiratory issues, and nosebleeds are just a few unpleasant side-effects of struggling with dry indoor air. If this sounds like your home, you may be asking yourself, “should I invest in a whole-house humidifier or an air purifier?”
While these two systems sound very similar at first glance, they actually have two very different functions. In this blog post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about humidifiers and their impact on the air in your home. The knowledgeable air quality technicians at Ken Parker Service, Inc. will help you choose the right humidifier for your home.
Can Humidifiers Clean Indoor Air?
The short answer? No, humidifiers don’t clean the air inside your home. Although humidifiers aren’t capable of purifying indoor air, they do play an important role in improving the overall indoor air quality at home.
Humidifiers are designed to add moisture to the air, which is especially handy during the dry winter months. Running a humidifier has many benefits, including:
- Healthier eyes, throat, and nasal passages
- Reduced static electricity
- Lower energy bills due to increased energy efficiency
- Protect wood furniture from warping or cracking
It’s important to note that whole-home humidifiers do contain an air filter that helps trap particulates like dust, allergens, and debris. While there’s no doubt that the air filter can improve the breathability of indoor air, it’s also true that this filter can’t compete with a dedicated air purification system.
Air Humidifiers Vs. Air Purifiers
Now that we know what each device is primarily used for, let’s find out how they function. Knowing how each system works will help you make an informed decision regarding which one would make the best addition to your home. You may also discover that your home would benefit from both.
Whole-house humidifiers are installed into your home’s existing ductwork and connected to your water supply. By piggy-backing off of your existing HVAC system, the humidifier can add moisture to the air with minimal effort and maximum efficiency. Unlike portable humidifiers, whole-house humidifiers are capable of regulating moisture levels throughout your entire home instead of one room at a time. While this doesn’t include cleaning the air, keep in mind that increasing the humidity of your air can help alleviate breathing issues caused by poor indoor air quality.
Air purifiers, on the other hand, are specifically designed to clean the air by removing pollutants, allergens, and irritants. Different types of air purifiers on the market are capable of targeting certain irritants, like toxic chemicals or unpleasant odors. Getting the right air purifier for your home can vastly improve the health and breathability of the air inside your home.
Who Benefits the Most From Air Humidifiers?
Do you think you’re a good candidate for a whole-house humidifier? If you’re unsure, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to make the best decision for you and your home.
Is your home dry? Since you live in Southeast Texas, the answer to that question is probably yes. There are, of course, some differences in humidity levels from season to season, but chances are, your home is incredibly dry and devoid of moisture for at least a fair part of the year.
Do you suffer from allergies or asthma? Dry air is known to exacerbate the symptoms of respiratory issues like asthma and allergies. Sore throat, stuffy nose, and persistent coughs are all worsened by dry air.
Are you prone to dry skin and bloody noses? You may not realize this, but dry air can sap moisture from your skin and respiratory tract. This results in dry skin and can worsen flare-ups of eczema or psoriasis. Many people also experience persistent bloody noses due to their nasal cavities being so dried out.
Did you answer “yes” to any of these questions? Then you’re probably a good candidate for a whole-house humidifier from Ken Parker Service, Inc..
Northeast Texas Has Indoor Air Quality Experts
For any homeowner in Greenville, the first step toward improving indoor air quality is installing a whole-home humidifier. By maintaining a healthy level of humidity in your home, you can look forward to increased comfort and energy efficiency while simultaneously reducing respiratory issues and static electricity. It’s a win-win situation.
Keep in mind that one thing your new humidifier cannot do is clean the air in your home. While the filter inside the humidifier can eliminate some of the dust and particulate in your ducts, a dedicated air purifier is a better option. Ken Parker Service, Inc. is your one-stop-shop for reliable indoor air quality solutions in addition to heating and cooling services like repairs, maintenance, and replacements in Greenville, Texas.
Call us today to learn more about how we can assist you with your indoor air purity needs.
