One common issue people have during winters is dryness. You can escape the cold weather by staying at home, but you cannot escape the dryness that comes with it. Dry air ultimately leads to dry and itchy skin and allergies. In extreme cases, it can also lead to a bloody nose, skin allergies or respiratory ailments. So, what do you do in a situation where you cannot escape winters? You take measures to increase humidity and moisture levels in the air. Increasing moisture in the air makes you feel comfortable in winters and also alleviates these symptoms.
Even after knowing this, the first question that comes to mind is how can you increase the moisture in the air? The solution that almost everyone recommends in using Humidifiers.
What Is A Whole House Humidifier
Now that you know the solution to your problem, let’s find out what a humidifier really is and how does it protect your home from dryness during winters.
Humidifiers are tools or machines that use an in-built fan to release moisture outwards. These humidifiers have filters that purify the air of any microorganisms, giving out fresh air. The air that comes out of the humidifier adds moisture into the air. The increased moisture in the air helps the residents feel warmer during winter days. Humidifiers are said to reduce the need for heaters by making the air warmer. They are also said to improve the efficiency of the heating system at your house.
Once you decide to buy a humidifier, another question arises your mind i.e. what kind of humidifier do you need for your home. Well, there are multiple types of humidifiers to choose from depending on your needs, these include
- Central Humidifiers
- Ultrasonic Humidifiers
- Evaporative Humidifiers
- Impeller Humidifiers
Based on your personal preference, you can choose what you like. The most common type of humidifiers is Evaporative Humidifiers. These blow moisture through a filter and a fan that powers the unit. Evaporative humidifiers are the cost-friendly choice, you can also turn them on whenever you want and store them easily for when you don’t need them. They are easy to use and maintain.
Why Do You Need A Whole House Evaporative Humidifier
A humidifier has a positive effect on your overall health if used carefully. When humidifiers release the right amount of air, they can act beneficial for your skin as well as your home and furniture. Some of the uses/ benefits of a humidifier include:
- It acts as a natural moisturizer for your skin.
- Helps with sinus congestion.
- Reduces cracked lips.
- Helps with a dry throat.
- Humidifies your houseplants.
- Reduces the requirement for a heater in the house.
- Protects furniture from cracking due to dry air.
To Read: Benefits of Evaporative Humidifier
Things To Consider Before Buying A Whole House Evaporative Humidifier
Selecting a humidifier can be a tough task if you don’t have any help. It can be impossible to narrow down from the options you have, the one that is suitable for your home. Hence it is important to understand some factors that will affect your decision. These factors are-
How much space do you want to humidify?
The first question you need to ask yourself is the amount of space you need to humidify. Your choices will vary depending on your answer. Some humidifiers like evaporative ones can only work in one room at a time, whereas a central humidifier can work on the entire house at the same time.
Where is your house located?
The location of your house will directly impact your decision. People who live in colder locations might need a more permanent solution like the central humidifiers. Whereas, if you stay at a place with moderate temperature, you might not want to invest too much into humidifiers. In such cases, you may want to use humidifiers that are easy to take out use and store when not required.
How much price are you willing to pay?
Price is a big deciding factor in all major decisions. All humidifiers cost differently. Your budget will help you decide what brands and features you go for. You might like a particular humidifier, but if it is over your budget, you will not be able to buy it.
How much Space do you have?
Every machine requires a certain space. While evaporative humidifiers will only take a small space, central ones will take up a major portion.
Is noise a concern for you?
Some humidifiers make noise when in use, hence you might not want to use them if you have elderly or kids staying with you.
How much maintenance is required?
Every humidifier has different maintenance needs. Check the maintenance requirement for the ones you like before making a decision.
What features are you looking for?
Before buying a humidifier, list down all the features necessary for you. After you have selected these, filter your choices on the basis of these specifications. This will help you filter out items that you do not need.
6 Best Whole House Evaporative Humidifiers To Buy
Humidifiers range from warm mist or cool mist humidifier. Warm mist humidifiers use steam to send moisture into your living space. We don’t prefer these humidifiers as they take up a lot of energy and are not safe if you have children at home with you. Another option is cool mist humidifiers which can be either ultrasonic or evaporative. Ultrasonic humidifiers are comparatively new and creative, but they also have a long way to go. These humidifiers can calculate the bacterias present in the room and do not alleviate them like other options, hence this is not the right time to invest in ultrasonic humidifiers. So the best type of humidifiers are evaporative ones. They are simple, effective, affordable and provide maximum benefits. Some of the best Evaporative Humidifiers are listed below.
1. Essick Aircare MA1201
Essick Aircare is a great evaporative humidifier for people with large houses. It can handle up to 3600 square feet and is installed for the entire house. It can operate for around 36 hours with just one single tank. The Essick is great for houses or large apartments and can act as a standalone unit.
Pros:
- It has a central water reservoir and powerful fans.
- Varying fan speed to choose from.
- Has automatic humidity control.
- Easy to clean and replace with built in filters.
- 3.6 gallon tank capacity.
Cons:
- Takes up space as it is bulky.
- Output vent is sideways and can lead to an excess buildup of moisture on the walls.
- Replacement of filter is required.
- Only has a single water tank.
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2. Aprilaire 700
If you have a house with a pre-installed HVAC system, the Aprilaire 700 can be a great choice for you. This quiet humidifier gives coverage of 4200 square feet. This machine is a whole-home solution that will provide you with the comfort via humidity control. It comes with the complete installation instructions, which you can use yourself or hire professionals to help you with the entire process.
Pros:
- Has a built-in fan.
- Capacity of 18 gallons per day.
- Automatic humidifier with dual sensors.
- Convenient digital control.
Cons:
- Costly in comparison to other options.
- Technical knowledge required for installation.
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3. Vornado Evap40
A simple evaporative humidifier that is ideal for small spaces, apartments or condos. This model has a coverage of up to 1,000 square feet. It has two filters that are used to spread this moisture into the air. It has a simple design which is easy to operate and maintain. Like other evaporative humidifiers, it can easily reduce bacterias present in the air. Its tank can hold up to 4 gallons of water without refilling.
Pros:
- Low-cost requirements.
- Extremely low maintenance.
- Shows amazing results at reducing airborne bacterias.
- Compact in size with all the basic features you need.
- Three fan speeds to choose from.
- Has a high power-to-size ratio.
- Weighs less than 9 pounds, easy to carry.
Cons:
- Makes loud noise on the higher settings.
- Outdated water tank design.
- Not designed to handle larger houses.
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4. Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier XL
This powerful humidifier has all the features you may need. This machine is a compact one and comes with a five year warranty. Ultrasonic cool mist humidifier has a coverage of up to 500 square feet. It works perfectly for people looking to humidify a specific region of their house or room. Its sleek design makes it easily adaptable in different rooms and layout without any problem. Its water tank can hold up to 1 gallon of water. The humidifier also shuts down itself when the water level is too low so you don’t have to.
Pros:
- Makes no noise.
- Sleek design.
- LED light features produce soothing light.
- Can humidify the air for up to 10 to 24 hours without interruption.
- Provides single and dual nozzle settings.
Cons:
- Its tank can only hold up to 1 gallon of water.
- Not suitable for large apartments.
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5. Aprilaire 500 Humidifier
Great for homes that have pre-installed HVAC systems, Aprilaire 500 can be attached in the air duct and will provide moisture to the entire house. The product conveniently stays tucked away from your eyes and works on its own. It easily covers an entire house and has a coverage of up to 3000 square feet. One important thing to know is that this humidifier is tricky to install, it requires proper installation by a professional. Pros and cons of the humidifier include.
Pros:
- It supplements your HVAC line and doesn’t take any additional space or hassle.
- Doesn’t need continuous water filling.
- Evenly distributes the moisture into the entire house.
- Dual humidity gauge for indoors and outdoors adjusts the weather indoor on the basis of the weather outside.
Cons:
- Installation by professional required.
- Only works at home with a central air system.
- Costly initial installation.
- Wastes water.
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6. Honeywell HCM350 Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier
This humidifier takes it a step further to protect and boost the immune system of humans. Honeywell HCM350 uses antimicrobial technology for removing 99 percent germs from your home, making it more suitable for children. It is easy to manage and clean. The humidifier can cover up to 500 square feet and can function for up to 24 hours in a single fill if working on its lowest settings.
Pros:
- Improves comfort while breathing.
- Boosts immunity.
- Uses 1 gallon tank to work for 24 hours.
- Runs quietly without any harsh bright lights.
Cons:
- Requires regular cleaning.
- Not suitable for large houses.
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Top Picks Under Different Categories
| Category | Best Whole House Humidifier |
|---|---|
| Overall | Essick Air AIRCARE MA1201 |
| Cost Effective Humidifier | Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier |
| Best Warm Humidifier | Levoit Humidifiers, 6L Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier |
| Portable Humidifier | JZK Mini Portable Personal Cool Mist Air Humidifier |
| Full-house Humidifier | Aprilaire 700 |
| Best Design | AIRCARE EP9 800 Digital Humidifier |
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, whatever Humidifier you select is your choice, but before making that decision make sure you are also aware of the disadvantages of having a humidifier. While humidifier are great for winters, they can also be unreliable sometimes. A humidifier that is faulty can lead to moulds in your house, it can also damage the fortune it was supposed to protect. Evaporative humidifiers cost money, make sure you are investing that money at the right place. Ensure that your selected humidifier satisfies all the requirements you had and requires as less maintenance and additional costs as possible.
Read also: Best Whole-house humidifiers