A cool-mist humidifier dissipates a cozy stream of room-temperature mist throughout your space. In contrast, a warm mist humidifier utilizes an internal heating component that boils water before dispersing it into your space as a relaxing invisible mist. However, regardless of how popular cool-mist humidifiers are, many people still ask if this humidifier will cool a room, as the name suggests.
Let’s find out the truth in this article.
Table of Content
Is a cool-mist humidifier going to make your room cold?
Understanding a cool-mist humidifier.
Main categories of cool mist humidifiers
Benefits of using a cool-mist humidifier.
Why would you prefer a cool-mist humidifier over a warm mist humidifier?
Where do you position your cool mist humidifier?
How to make cool mist humidifiers safe to use.
How to clean your cool mist humidifier
Things you should look at when buying a cool-mist humidifier
One of the many questions people wanting to buy a cool-mist humidifier ask is whether the device makes a room cold like the name suggests. Is it true?
No, that’s not true. If you use a cool-mist humidifier, your room will not become cold. A little bit of warmth will be added to your room since high humidity can prevent sweating, which helps to keep your body warm.
When the heating is on and the air is dry, most people use humidifiers during the winter. The reason to use a humidifier in the winter is to counter dry air that causes itchiness, chipping, and discomfort in the skin, eyes, and throat, resulting in breathing issues.
It will not depend on the type in this case. Both ultrasonic and evaporative cool mist humidifiers work to increase humidity levels by releasing moisture into the room. As a result, if you want to lower the temperature in your room, look for a fan or air conditioner rather than a humidifier.
A humidifier is a device that aids in maintaining a healthy level of humidity in spaces that lack enough moisture. It can increase moisture in that space either by the use of cool or warm mist technologies.
A cool-mist humidifier is a device designed to disseminate cool moisture into the air to raise a room’s Relative Humidity (RH) levels.
1. Ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers –Utilize high-frequency sound vibration technology to make a micro-fine cool mist that is quietly emitted throughout your space. Two ceramic plates create these vibrations.
Pros.
- Compared to evaporative humidifiers, they are more silent.
- Since they don’t have a filter element, they’re more cost-effective.
- They are excellent at humidifying the air.
- They are far safer because they do not produce hot steam or use heating elements.
Cons.
- There is a risk of bacteria being discharged into your space because they don’t boil water to produce the mist.
2. Evaporative humidifiers utilize an internal wick filter to absorb water while a fan blows the air through the filter. The fan is used to fasten the natural process of water evaporating from a wick. This is the most common type of cool mist humidifier because it is durable and affordable.
Pros.
- Durable
- Affordable
- Safe
Cons.
- They are noisy
- The wick filter must be replaced regularly. Depending on the water quality and frequency of use, the filter should be changed every one to two months.
For both kinds, the main aim is to get optimal humidity levels for your space, but each device performs with different technology. Moreover, the decision to pick the best will solely depend on your taste and preference.
Also, Read; Cool Mist Vs. Warm Mist Humidifiers
- Makes the air inside fresher.
A good quality cool-mist humidifier refreshes the air in your space and reduces scenarios of foul smell in your room.
A cool-mist humidifier will benefit your health and wellbeing and enhance better oxygen supply. In addition, it will make the air more fresh and pleasant to breathe and live in.
- It makes you comfortable during dry climates and seasons.
A cool-mist humidifier will improve your life if you live in a place where the climate is dry. Moreover, it will aid in minimizing the discomforts and health problems that could be caused by living in areas where the air is too dry (up to 30%).
- Helps prevent allergies and respiratory problems.
When there is minimal moisture in the air, your skin becomes dry, and it can cause dryness to your eyes, nasal canal, and throat as well. This will irritate you most of the time.
Moreover, if you have allergic reactions like beehives or eczema, the moisture in the air will help mitigate the itchiness and discomfort. When the humidity is enough, the skin remains properly hydrated.
In addition, having the proper humidity in your bedroom will also enhance better and more restful sleep, easier breathing, and minimized sleeping and respiratory defects caused by dry air.
- Reduces static electricity.
If you are keen enough, you will realize that you have many incidents of bad and, at times, dangerous static electricity. This results from friction between the positive and negative charges on objects, increasing due to the air’s lack of moisture. A cool-mist humidifier will therefore make these incidents minimal.
Pros
- Homeowners most prefer a cool-mist humidifier because they are safe and efficient.
- Also, they have somewhat covered more space than the warm mist humidifiers.
- Cool mist humidifiers are safe because they don’t include hot or boiling water. Moreover, they will have your skin moisturized, prevent cracked lips and prevent the spread of allergies, as well as improving air quality.
- They are typically less expensive and smaller in size but with a slight profit margin. They also come in various shapes, sizes, and prices to suit every taste, budget, and desire.
- Because they don’t have heating elements, they utilize less power.
- They are best for babies or children because they are less harmful from leakage.
Cons
- They can lead to mold and bacteria growth if not properly maintained and regularly cleaned or when you don’t use deionized purified water.
- They require regular maintenance.
- Ones that use fans could be quite noisy, rendering them unfavorable for bedrooms and nurseries, making ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers best for quiet rooms.
First and foremost, make sure that they are out of reach of children. Second, please choose a location where you will not be tripping and knocking it over repeatedly, as this will prevent water spillage and electrical shocks.
Please place it in the center of a room to improve even humidity distribution throughout the nursery, bedroom, or other enclosure. Finally, make sure it’s in a location where you can quickly fill it with water and clean it without the risk of dropping it.
Any humidifier will make you ill if it is not well maintained.
Therefore:
- Ensure you have the mineral residues collecting in a bucket.
- Clean them every 3-7 days or once you notice the residues to prevent the spread of mold and bacteria into your space.
Refill with distilled or purified water only because it contains lesser impurities.
Cleaning your humidifier doesn’t require a lot of effort. However, the steps vary according to the make and model, ensuring you first read the instructions.
Therefore to clean:
- Unplug and dismember the humidifier.
- Fill the tank with water as usual, but add two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar.
- Allow the mixture to settle in the tank for half an hour.
- Place the tank on top of the reservoir and allow the water to drain through like it usually does. Allow it to stand for another half hour.
- Empty the humidifier and use a Q-tip or an extra toothbrush (not the one you use) or cloth to clean any areas having excess dirt build-up. After that, clean any other humidifier parts, like the cap, using full-strength distilled white vinegar.
- Lastly, rinse all the parts and allow them to air dry before using them.
Price.
Cool mist humidifiers cost between 20$ and over 600$.
The price is determined by the amount of space the humidifier covers. For example, a whole-house humidifier will cost more than the one for a small room.
Also, like earlier mentioned, the ultrasonic one will cost more if you pick between the ultrasonic and evaporative humidifier. In addition, an expensive humidifier will give you more life without causing any problems or be easy to use.
As you consider, the price of the humidifier also factors in the operational cost associated with it. All cool mist humidifiers need water tanks to operate; therefore, they will increase your water bill. Also, using an evaporative cool mist humidifier, you will need to consider the cost of replacing the filter after a while and also consuming more energy coast than with an ultrasonic one.
Style.
Humidifiers come in different styles and colors. You will find a cute color for your kid’s room, for instance.
Moreover, if you wish for one that will match the specific décor of your room, you have multiple options. Take as much time to find what suits you best.
Size.
Buy a humidifier that will fit the available space in your room.
Most table-top humidifiers require smaller spaces and are easy to fit on a bedside or desk. On the other hand, whole house ones need more space.
Either way, before you go looking for one, first measure the available space so you don’t end up with something that won’t fit where you need it to be.
Coverage/ space.
Many cheap humidifiers are designed to cover small spaces and vice versa.
If you are searching for a cool-mist humidifier that will cover a small room, for example, around a bed, a table-top or portable one will work for you. They usually cover up to 300 square feet and, in other cases, up to 500 square feet.
On the other hand, larger rooms will be covered by whole-house humidifiers covering a range of 500 to 1,000 square feet.
As you buy, look for the product’s specifications to detail the area the product is designed for. If you are not sure about the size, measure it first.
Maintenance.
Despite the type of cool mist humidifier you select, you will need to do regular maintenance. Therefore, choose one with the maintenance measures that you can handle.
Noise.
If you plan to use the humidifier in a nursery or bedroom, you won’t require a noisy one.
Evaporative cool mist humidifiers are louder because of the fan, while ultrasonic ones are quieter.
Tank capacity.
When doing maintenance of your humidifier, you will be required to refill the tank.
The larger the space covered by a humidifier, the faster it will use the water. However, the larger the tank, the longer you will go without refilling it.
Therefore, if you want to dodge frequent refills, look for a humidifier with a large tank capacity.
Components and extras.
Humidistat. This measures the humidity in the room. It will enable you to know when to turn on or turn off your humidifier.
Timer. You can get a timer when you don’t want the humidifier operating all the time. This will save you from regular water refills.
Adjustable output. This setting lets you decide how humid you want your room to get. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about your cool mist humidifier being extra and making the area too damp.
Maintenance reminders. A cool-mist humidifier offers an in-built reminder that will remind you about replacing filters and cleaning.
Auto shutoff. Some cool mist humidifiers will automatically shut off when the water tank gets too low or when the required level had been attained.
Conclusion.
To sum up, as we have covered, a cool-mist humidifier will not make your room cold. However, selecting between a warm and cool mist humidifier will significantly depend on taste and preference.
I would advise you to research before making any purchase. The right cool mist humidifier will give you so much comfort, and you will get healthier each day. Lastly, ensure that you properly maintain them.