Humidifiers: Good or Bad?

Humidifiers are able to relieve dry nasal passages, cracked lips, and bloody noses by adding moisture into the air. Humidifiers can cause problems. Raising indoor humidity, especially in winter can cause itchy skin. If humidifiers are not controlled properly, they can cause mold and bacteria to grow. Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning will remove any mold trapped in the air ducts.

humidifier-bedroomMold

The dry air in homes and offices can be a real problem, especially during the winter. Dry air can damage your home and business, especially in winter. It can crack wood floors or cause static electricity to build up. This will jolt your hair as well as zap electronics. It can also cause irritation of the nose and throat, which leads to sneezing and runny eyelids, as well as itchy skin. Humidifiers can help alleviate these problems by adding moisture into the air. If you have these issues, consider an air duct cleaning service from Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning.

The moisture in the air can cause its own problems if you don’t clean and maintain your humidifier regularly. Humidifiers should be emptied, dried and their water replaced or sterilized daily to avoid mold growth. The spores of mold can spread in the home if you don’t take these steps. They will also exacerbate respiratory conditions. 

The market offers a wide range of humidifiers ranging from steam to ultrasonic. Steam humidifiers are most efficient, adding moisture to the air by using either hot or cool steam. These units require both an electricity supply and water line. These units are expensive, and they can damage ducts when too much heat or water is used.

Use a humidifier equipped with an integrated hygrometer that monitors the indoor humidity level to reduce the risk of a mold problem. The humidifier’s interior surface should be cleaned daily to ensure it is free of minerals and other debris. The interior surface of humidifiers can be cleaned and disinfected by using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (3%), distilled vinegar (4-6%) or a combination.

A second way to reduce mold risk is to make sure all ducts and pipes are completely sealed. You can do this by calling a professional HVAC technician.

Before choosing a humidifier, it is important to understand the pros and con of each model. Air duct cleaner humidifiers are great at maintaining the balance of humidity in your home, but can also cause problems if improperly used or maintained. Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning can provide more information.

Bacteria

Humidifiers can be used to treat skin irritation, sinus congestion and dry cough. Humidifiers can help you breathe easier during the cold and flu season when air is drier. Germs will be more likely to spread in this environment. It’s a problem that microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, thrive in humidifiers. They can grow on the water reservoir of the humidifier, as well as any surface that comes into contact with moist air. These organisms become airborne, and spread throughout your home.

There are many types of humidifiers, including evaporative, steam and central models. No matter which type you select, it is important to clean the humidifier regularly. If the water reservoir is left unattended, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Your HVAC system can circulate them throughout your home, which will affect everyone. If you have a humidifier, Air Duct cleaning is recommended to maintain a safe and healthy home. Contact Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning to get a free quote .

An excess of moisture can cause a variety of symptoms, such as cracked lips, sneezing, and irritation of the nose or throat. A humidifier can make the fungus responsible for hives thrive.

A humidifier, when used to combat dryness in the air, can cause you to produce more mucus. The phlegm produced by your body when you breathe can become thicker and block nasal passages. It’s hard to remove thick mucus from your sinuses, which can cause irritation of the nasal passages. By adding moisture to your air, humidifiers can help thin this phlegm, making it easier for the respiratory system to remove it.

A humidifier can also improve your sleep by allowing you to breathe easier. A humidifier will add moisture to the airways and reduce friction, which is what causes snoring. Humidifiers are also effective in easing the symptoms of COPD such as chronic coughing and breathing difficulties. It’s important to choose a humidifier designed for your specific symptoms.

Allergens

Humidifiers have been hailed by many as the health hero that can do anything from moistening lips and skin and to ease sinus passages. They also loosen congestion. But they can also be problematic. Allergens are microscopic organisms that live in the air of homes, offices, and even pets. When inhaled, these microorganisms may cause allergic and asthmatic symptoms. Humidifiers encourage the growth of these microorganisms in moist environments. They can even multiply in your office or home. Humidifiers can also make indoor air dustier. Dust mite spores and other allergens, such as dust mites, can be inhaled into the lungs by those who are allergic to them.

Humidity is a significant contributor to allergies. According the EPA relative humidity levels between 30% and 50% are ideal in homes. A high relative humidity level makes it easier to grow allergens. If the humidity level in a room increases, allergens may spread from one room to another through vents or doorways.

Addition of moisture in the air can reduce certain allergens. However, you must monitor the level of humidity to keep it at or below 50%. Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity in your home. These are available at most electronic and hardware stores.

To avoid large differences in humidity, you can close the return vents of your forced-air systems in rooms with humidifiers. You can also add moisture to the air in a room by using a portable humidifier.

There are many types of humidifiers available, such as warm mist units, cool mist units, and ultrasonic models. These units create a fine mist which cools off in the humidifier, and then is pumped into your home. To prevent contamination, these units must be regularly cleaned. The units can produce mineral dust, and they can be loud. Even the simplest humidifiers, which use a wick-filter to absorb moisture, can be harder to clean. They can also increase your risk of getting a bacterial infection. Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning can check and clean your air ducts for any mold growth. Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning utilizes high-grade, professional equipment to eliminate the dust and debris that may be in your ducts. Now is the time to breathe cleaner air. Give us a ring today.

humidifiers-con-condensationCondensation

Humidifiers can cause condensation, especially when they are left unattended. Mold, mildew, and other microorganisms can build up in humidifiers. These organisms can cause irritation and other unpleasant symptoms if they come into contact with your skin. If you have allergies and use humidifiers, it is worth contacting Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning to learn more about our air duct service.

You can prevent this by choosing the right type of humidifier. Steam vaporizers, for example, that cool water before releasing it into the air can prevent condensation from forming on the surface of hot water. Avoiding condensation can also be achieved by keeping the humidifier far away from surfaces that are cold, such as mirrors and windows.

To prevent bacteria growing, you can clean your humidifier on a regular basis. For example, empty the water tank every day and disinfect it when not in use. A hygrometer can be used to determine the level of humidity in your home.

A humidifier offers a variety of benefits. It can help relieve dry skin, chapped lips, and irritation in the nose and throat. It can also prevent wood floors from cracking. Even in winter, when the chilly air inside can hinder mucus membranes from working properly, a humidifier can ease breathing.

Humidifiers also reduce static and can protect fragile items like museum paintings from damage. Experts recommend that you keep the relative humidity at 50% in your home to minimize static and reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria.

Most humidifiers pump moisture into the air by either blowing heated air on a wet pad or by generating steam. These units can be either portable or whole house models that are connected to the existing ductwork in your home and disperse the moisture produced throughout the entire residence. Whole-house units require less maintenance and last longer than portable ones. However, they can be more costly as they require professional installation in order to integrate into your home’s HVAC system.

You should get your air ducts cleaned at least every five to ten years, according to Supreme Air Duct Cleaning. Call us or visit our website to get a no-obligation quote.

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