What Is the Difference Between a Humidifier & a Purifier?

Expose yourself often to clean air.

If you are concerned about the air quality conditions of your home or work environment, there are a number of devices that can help you improve it. Those who suffer from allergies or who are hyper-sensitive to pollutants will find air purifiers can be quite helpful in the home environment. These machines filter impurities from the air. Humidifiers offer a method to add moisture content to the air, so they are most useful in very dry or arid environments.

Humidifiers in General

Air humidifiers can ease the suffering of sinus conditions and some breathing problems. You can get relief for a dry nose, throat, lips, and skin discomfort. Dry air can inflame membranes, complicate sinus conditions, and irritate sensitive skin. Humidifiers help replace the moisture into the air, thus restoring a harmonious air balance. Humidifiers can produce either a warm or cool mist of air and you can control how long to keep the machine operative. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests using distilled water for humidifiers rather than tap water, and to clean and care for them properly to reduce mold and bacteria.

Types of Humidifiers

There are two types of humidifiers that generally seem to produce the greatest dispersions of microorganisms and minerals, according to the EPA. Ultrasonic humidifiers create a cool mist through ultrasonic sound vibrations. Impeller humidifiers produce a cool mist via a high speed rotating disk. Two other types of humidifiers are evaporative and steam machines.

Air Purifiers in General

Using an air purifier to remove harmful substances from your home environment is a simple approach to good health. The purifiers virtually vacuum the air, clear it through a filter, then replace the cleaned air into the room. Some purifiers are quite expensive, but you can find affordable ones that work well, too. If you have a lot of smoke, dirt, chemical usage or pet dander in your home, the health benefits will likely outweigh the costs.

Types of Air Purifiers

HEPA vacs are a type of air purifier that is especially good for removing mold and other organisms. They are frequently used in health care centers and industrial buildings. The activated carbon air purifiers are touted to be highly functional and good for removing most air pollutants. Other types include electronic and ultraviolet light purifiers, which kill viruses and bacteria.

References

• EPA: Indoor Air Facts No. 8: Use and Care of Home Humidifiers
• Air Purifiers.com: The Technology of Air Purifiers
• Achoo Allergy: Benefits of Home Humidification
• Achoo Allergy: Air Purifier Buying Guide