When winter sets in, along with the temperature, the humidity levels go down. The low humidity is the prime cause of health problems like colds, allergies, dry skin and hosts of other problems associated with winter. Low humidity levels can also cause static electricity and damage paint and furniture as well as stripping wallpaper. But using a humidifier in your house is a good way to make your room more humid and minimize the problems. Here are some information about these beneficial devices.

What is console humidifier?

A console humidifier is a big unit meant to operate across an entire floor of your house. It is encased in a cover and can control the dampness of many rooms. They work on cool mist technology where the water is held in a tank and is pulled out using a cloth or foam wick. The fan disperses it in the air through filter. Filter removes pathogens and impurities. The water vaporizes, thus cooling the air. You need to replace or clean the filter regularly as instructed by the manufacturer. If you do not take care of the filter, you might find mold and bacteria growing. Check the maximum area covered by the humidifier before purchasing to determine if it fits with the area you want covered. The price of this humidifier is between $90 and $120.

What is room humidifier?

A room humidifier or tabletop humidifier is effective only in a room. It is small in size with costs in the range of $40 to $80. It uses either use cool mist or warm mist technology. Warm mist humidifier heats the water before dispersing it in the room. It does not need a humidifier filter as the bacteria are killed while heating. It lowers the room temperature slightly, so you use the lower setting on your heater. Before buying, check the area covered. If your room is very large, you may need more than one humidifier.

What is the optimum humidity level?

Both high and low levels of humidity can cause problems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency insists that the normal humidity levels should be between 30 and 50%. Hence you need to control the humidity in the room. To allow you to do that, buy a humidifier with a humidistat. This will let you keep the humidity within the recommended levels.