Scratchy throat, coughing, dry eyes, flaky scalp. As soon as the weather outside turns cold and the heat goes on, these annoying side effects start to wreak havoc. Winter air holds less moisture. Combine that with forced air heat and it can be especially drying to skin, lips, sinuses, scalp and hair.
Dry air can cause excess static electricity, which is not good for computers, laptops or handheld devices. Dry air can also trigger dust and pet allergies or asthma attacks as dry air makes it easier for harmful contaminants to stay airborne. Dry air can also cause damage to wood floors, furniture and other valuables including antiques and musical instruments.
Ultrasonic room humidifiers
Ultrasonic room humidifiers are an easy, convenient way to solve the issues associated with dry air. Why ultrasonic? Ultrasonic technology uses high-frequency vibrations to turn water into a micro-fine mist, which is then blown into the room where it evaporates immediately. It consumes very little power.
Ultrasonic humidifiers are available in warm/cool mist models or cool mist only models. Either way, cool mist or warm mist humidifiers will both achieve the same objective; to add humidity or to humidify your dry, indoor air.
Typically, ultrasonic humidifiers are capable of adding moisture to one or two rooms at a time. Ultrasonic humidifiers work exceptionally well in bedrooms, family rooms, kitchens and living rooms.
Warm Mist and Cool Mist Humidifiers
Warm mist humidifiers provide warm, comfortable steam to humidify the dry air. A heating element inside the humidifier heats up the water and is then dispersed into the air. The heating element in a warm mist humidifier uses more electricity than a cool mist humidifier.
If you're going to put a humidifier into a baby's room or nursery, you may want to consider a cool mist humidifier. The water inside a warm mist humidifier can get hot. It's best to avoid concerns if the humidifier accidentally falls over. Any humidifier should be placed high enough so it's out of a baby or toddlers’ reach.
Warm Mist Humidifiers
Warm mist humidifiers are very quiet. They produce a gurgling water sound and you may hear the water boiling as it comes in contact with the heating element. The sound of a warm mist humidifier can be quite soothing when placed in a bedroom. If the warm mist humidifier is ultrasonic, it will even be quieter. You might find that warm mist humidifiers are optimal if you live in a cooler climate because the warm steam tends to slightly raise the room temperature.
Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifiers
Cool mist ultrasonic humidifiers provide a pleasant, cool micro-fine mist that humidifies dry air in your home. Because cool mist humidifiers do not use a heating element, they are less expensive to operate. Cool mist humidifiers tend to disperse cool, humid air and are preferred by those who like their ambient air a few degrees cooler, or who live in a warmer climate.
If you have hard water, ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers tend to release into the air the minerals that are present in the water in the form of a fine or white dust. You may notice white dust settling on furniture near the humidifier. The "white dust" can be reduced with the use of demineralization cartridges, available with all Air-O-Swiss humidifier models, or by using distilled water.
If your cool mist humidifier has a warm mist option, the water in the humidifier is preheated to help prevent the growth of bacteria inside the humidifier. Boneco humidifiers are also equipped with a Hydro Cell. As soon as it comes in contact with the water inside the humidifier, the Hydro Cell, with activated carbon technology, helps reduce heavy metals, impurities, odor causing chemicals and pesticides from your household tap water.
When choosing between a warm mist humidifier or a cool mist humidifier, it basically comes down to personal preference.
Air Washer / Humidifiers
Air washers / humidifiers are evaporative cool mist humidifiers that use special rotating discs to provide a high output of humidity. The Air-O-Swiss AOS-2055 Air Washer and Humidifiers not only adds humidity to a room but it also help to naturally clean the air. Water, in conjunction with rotating discs, retain and remove airborne impurities, including dust and pollen, as well as odors, while dispersing clean, humidified air to the room.
Air washers produce a cool mist only. An air washer can cover a larger area than ultrasonic humidifiers. Air washers do not produce white mineral dust. An air washer humidifier also includes a hydro cell which reduces water impurities including heavy metals, odors, pesticides and other impurities.
