Warm Vs. Cold Air Vaporizers

The choice between cold air and warm air vaporizers depends on your preference, the recommendations of your health care provider and your willingness to follow care and use guidelines. If your doctor suggests you use a specific type of humidifier, either a cold mist type or a steam type, to alleviate symptoms of allergies or other respiratory conditions, you will want to follow that advice.

Function

Cold air vaporizers and warm air vaporizers function differently to add moisture to the air. The most commonly used cold humidifiers are the “cool mist” type the produces mist with an impeller disk that rotates at high speed and ultrasonic humidifiers that rely on vibrating sound to create a cool mist. Impeller models can be noisy.

Steam vaporizers heat water usually with a heating element or electrodes. A warm mist humidifier is a version of a steam vaporizer that cools steam before it leaves the machine for greater comfort and safety. Steam vaporizers have a long history of being used to ease cold and flu symptoms. Some models have an attached device for dispersing medicines or scented inhalants. The steam type vaporizers are usually quiet except for a soft hiss of steam.

Considerations

Vaporizers that produce hot steam are not dispersers of minerals in any appreciable amount. Cool mist vaporizers can present health hazards so they must be used with care and caution. Some cool mist humidifiers can disperse microorganisms and minerals from their water reservoirs directly into the air.

Warnings

Water left standing in a vaporizer reservoir can be a breeding ground for microorganisms. These can contribute to health problems. Breathing the mist from these vaporizers may be linked to certain lung inflammations. Very young children, older adults and people who have lung diseases may be at greater health risk from exposure.

Cold mist impeller humidifiers disperse minerals from tap water directly into the air. These minerals are responsible for the formation of what is known as white dust. Some people are sensitive to white dust. It can be evidence that minerals in water are creating crust deposits known as scale and scale can be a breeding medium for bacteria and molds.

Hot or warm vaporizers should be kept and used out of children’s reach. Water at the boiling point and steam can cause burns.

If you develop respiratory symptoms that occur during periods of warm or cold air vaporizer use, stop use of the humidifier. Consult your primary health care provider.

Problem Prevention

Cleaning and care prevent potential problems and make vaporizers serve their useful purpose. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for use, cleaning, maintenance and repair.

Use distilled water. The distillation process removes most of the mineral content from water. Two other processes also remove minerals and are strong second contenders for use with vaporizers: reverse osmosis and deionization.

Humidity levels in the home should not exceed 50 percent. A device called a hygrometer can measure humidity. These are available at hardware stores.

Unplug the unit before cleaning. Clean your humidifier to get rid of scaly deposits and film. You can clean surfaces that have water contact with a three percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Any cleaners or disinfectants you use should be rinsed thoroughly and rinsed again.

Clean and dry the humidifier when the product will not be in frequent use.

Misconceptions

A common misconception about warm and cold vaporizers is that they treat illness. They do not. Instead, they are often used to alleviate unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms of respiratory conditions such as cold, flu, asthma and allergies.

References

• United States Environmental Protection Agency: Indoor Air Facts No. 8: Use and Care of Home Humidifiers
• North Carolina State University: Mold, dust mites, fungi, spores, and pollen: Bioaerosols in the human environment
• Allergy Be Gone: Warm Mist vs. Cool Mist Humidifier
• Ohio State University Medical Center: Care After Treatment: Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) Adult