Have you ever woken up with a dry throat, chapped lips, or a congested nose? If you hate to wake up in such a state, you are not alone. Many people face these problems during certain months of the year or all year round. However, that is entirely preventable if you add humidity to the equation. Humidity’s role in indoor air quality is to prevent such annoying occurrences.
If you want to prevent these problems and benefit from many health improvements, especially in Canada’s winters, you can use a humidifier that vaporizes water and increases the humidity in your home. This article will discuss the benefits of sleeping with a humidifier for your health and well-being.
Kitchener and Waterloo’s premier HVAC company, Aire One Heating & Cooling, has provided this article for you.
What Is a Humidifier?
A humidifier is a device that vaporizes water, adding moisture to the air to maintain healthy humidity levels.
Types of Humidifiers
There are two major types of humidifiers available on the market:
1. Warm Mist Humidifiers
This type of humidifier works by boiling water and releasing hot steam. A warm mist humidifier has a greater effect on congestion but uses more energy.
2. Cool Mist Humidifiers
This type of humidifier uses a fan or vibrations to disperse water droplets. Since it doesn’t boil the water, a cold mist humidifier is safer and more energy efficient.
Why are Humidifiers Especially Useful in Canada?
Indoor heating in winter removes a lot of humidity from the air. Since dry air can cause drastically drier skin and nasal congestion, using a humidifier in your home is particularly useful in Canada.
Health Benefits of Sleeping With a Humidifier
Now that you are familiar with humidifiers, let’s dive into the health benefits that they offer if you use them overnight:
Prevent Respiratory Infections
Dry air can make the Nasal passages and the throat more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. On the other hand, moist air helps trap and expel viruses and bacteria before they enter the lungs. Scientific studies have shown that humidity levels between 40% and 60% can reduce virus transmission.
Soothe Asthma Symptoms
Since dry air can irritate lungs and airways, asthma symptoms usually worsen when the air in your home is dry. Humidifiers in Kitchener provide moist air, which reduces inflammation and relieves extreme asthma symptoms. However, those with asthma should know that too much humidity can cause mold growth.
Other Health Benefits
Other than what we mentioned above, sleeping with a humidifier also:
- Relieves dry skin and chapped lips,
- prevents bloody noses,
- soothes dry or congested sinuses,
- eases an unproductive cough and
- reduces irritated throats
Choosing Between Warm Mist and Cool Mist Humidifiers
Here is a comparison of the pros and cons of warm and cold mist humidifiers that will help you choose one effectively based on your needs:
Warm Mist Humidifiers
Pros:
- Provides soothing, warm air (good for congestion and colds).
- Kills bacteria and germs in water before the mist is released.
Cons:
- Uses more electricity.
- It can pose a burn risk (unsuitable for children’s rooms).
Cool Mist Humidifiers
Pros:
- Energy-efficient and safer to use around pets and children.
- Helps keep a room cool in summer.
Cons:
- Needs frequent cleaning to prevent bacteria and mold buildup.
- It may disperse mineral dust from tap water if not filtered properly.
Which One Is Better?
If you suffer from congestion or respiratory issues, a warm mist humidifier is better for you. On the other hand, if you suffer from asthma or allergies, a cold Mist humidifier is recommended.
Buy High-Quality Humidifiers in Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario
Are you looking for top-tier humidifiers to moisturize your indoor air? If you live in the Tri-Cities area or Ontario, your best choice is to buy from a reputable HVAC company. As the best HVAC contractor in Ontario, Aire One Heating & Cooling also offers high-quality products and installation services. If you need a consultation about your purchase, our HVAC services in Kitchener-Waterloo are only one call away!