We spend a lot of time indoors, be it in our homes or offices. The trend of working from home has increased in recent times due to a pathogen that caused a worldwide pandemic. As a result, the concern about indoor air quality and comfort is at an all-time high. It is not surprising that the air we breathe indoors is filled with pollutants and contaminants. While not related to the quality of the air, low-humid conditions can cause extreme discomfort and may aggravate respiratory problems. Fortunately, there are simple solutions that can improve the quality of air and level of comfort. We are talking about Air Purifiers and Humidifiers.
These two appliances/devices are becoming essential in every household. Depending on where you live and the overall climatic conditions, you may need either an air purifier or a humidifier (or even both). But how do you decide? In this Air Purifier vs. Humidifier comparison guide, we will understand the working of both these devices. We will also look at their differences so that you can easily pick the right one for your situation (building a baby nursery, improving air quality, etc.).
Understanding Air Purifier
With rising concerns about indoor air quality, air purifiers have become an integral part of many households (especially in large cities). But what exactly is an air purifier? How does it improve air quality? Let us explore more.
An air purifier is an electronic device designed to remove contaminants from the air. These contaminants can include dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and smoke particles. Air purifiers work to improve indoor air quality and reduce the spread of airborne illnesses by filtering these contaminants, pollutants, and even bacteria and viruses (to some extent).
Manufacturers design air purifiers for various spaces, from small rooms to large living areas. A typical household air purifier contains several key components/parts such as pre-filters, main filters, and fans to capture dust, pollen and even some bacteria.
Types Of Air Purifier Filtration
Air purifiers utilize different filtration technologies to remove pollutants from indoor air. Each filtration type is unique and targets specific contaminants and works in conjunction with other filtration systems.
- HEPA: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration is one of the most effective methods for removing airborne particles. HEPA Filters capture 99.97% of particles that measure 0.3 micrometers or larger. These particles include dust, pollen, mold, and some types of bacteria. HEPA filters contain a dense, fibrous material that traps contaminants as air passes through them.
- Activated Carbon: Activated carbon helps in removing odors, gasses, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. It uses porous carbon material to trap gaseous molecules (usually from harmful chemicals and odors) and prevent them from re-entering the air. These filters can effectively neutralize odors from cooking, smoking, pets, and cleaning products.
- UV-C: Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) filtration uses short-wavelength ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms by damaging their DNA.
- Ionizers: As the name suggests, ionizers release negative ions into the air that attach to airborne particles, causing them to cluster together. Such clustered particles become heavy, fall out of the air, and land on surfaces or ground (which we can easily clean). Ionizers can reduce airborne particles like dust, smoke, and allergens. However, ionizers can produce ozone as a byproduct, which may pose health risks in high concentrations.
How Does An Air Purifier Work?
Air purifiers operate in a multi-stage process to clean the air. First, the device/unit draws in air from the ambient environment using its fan. This air passes through the pre-filter, which captures larger particles like dust, pet hair, and lint.
After the pre-filter, the air moves to the primary HEPA filter. This filter traps smaller particles such as pollen, mold spores, and some bacteria. If the air purifier comes with an activated carbon filter, the air then passes through it. This filter absorbs odors, gasses, and chemical fumes to provide a more pleasant indoor environment. The clean air then exits the device.
Automatic air purifiers have sensors that detect the air quality. For instance, a PM2.5 sensor can detect matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. To give you some perspective, the average thickness of a human hair is about 100 micrometers. Depending on the readings from these sensors, the air purifiers turn on/off on their own or reduce/increase the speed of the fan.
Types Of Air Purifiers
Air purifiers come in various forms for different needs and spaces.
- Portable/Room Air Purifiers: Portable or room air purifiers are compact devices that work well in bedrooms, offices, or living spaces where targeted air purification is needed. You can easily move them from one room to another. They are ideal for apartments, dorm rooms, or other confined spaces.
- Whole House Air Purifiers: This type of air purifier connects directly to a home’s HVAC system so that every room receives cleaner air.
- Central Air Purifiers: These are a specific type of whole-house systems that are installed directly into the ductwork of the HVAC unit.
Understanding Humidifiers
If you live in a hot climate, the air is usually dry. Dry air becomes more common during winter months when heating systems reduce indoor humidity. Dry air or air with low moisture levels feels uncomfortable because it strips moisture from everything it contacts, including skin, eyes, and respiratory passages. The human body relies on a certain level of humidity to maintain skin hydration and respiratory health. Humidifiers try to balance this by adding moisture to the air.
A humidifier is an electronic device that increases moisture levels in the air (in a room or an entire house) by releasing water vapor or steam to raise the humidity level.
Types Of Humidifiers
- Evaporative Humidifiers: These are the most common type of humidifiers. They use a wick filter and fan to add moisture to the air.
- Warm Mist Humidifiers: Another popular type is warm mist humidifiers. They use a heating element to produce steam.
- Ultrasonic Humidifiers: Ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency vibrations to generate a cool mist. They are known for their quiet operation (ideal for bedrooms or offices).
- Vaporizer Humidifiers: These humidifiers produce steam and can also function as an inhalant delivery system.
- Impeller Humidifiers: Impeller humidifiers use a rotating disc to fling water into a diffuser that breaks it into droplets.
How Does A Humidifier Work?
Evaporative humidifiers use basic principles of evaporation to add moisture to the air. The three main components of an evaporative humidifier are: a water tank/reservoir, a wick filter, and a fan. The water reservoir holds the water that the device uses to create humidity. The wick filter (typically made from paper, foam, or fabric) absorbs water and draws it upward through its porous material.
The fan, which is positioned above the wick filter, pulls in dry air from the room and pushes it through the damp filter to accelerate the evaporation process.
Ultrasonic humidifiers employ high-frequency sound vibrations to produce a fine mist. A transducer or diaphragm serves as the core of the ultrasonic mechanism. This small metal plate vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency, typically above the range of human hearing. This rapid vibration causes the water in the reservoir to break into tiny droplets and form a cool mist.
Air Purifier vs. Humidifier: Differences
While both air purifiers and humidifiers contribute to a healthier living space, they address different issues and serve distinct purposes.
Purpose And Functionality
Air purifiers primarily focus on improving air quality by removing contaminants from the air. These devices use various filtration technologies (typically a combination of HEPA filters, activated carbon, and UV-C light) to capture particles like dust, pollen, and smoke.
In contrast, humidifiers deal with issues related to low humidity levels by adding moisture to the air. These devices release water vapor, steam, or mist, to raise the indoor humidity to a comfortable level (typically between 30% and 50%). Humidifiers work well in dry/arid climates or during winter months when indoor air tends to become dry due to heating systems.
Health Benefits
Both air purifiers and humidifiers provide significant health benefits, but they target different problems. Air purifiers benefit individuals who struggle with allergies, asthma, or respiratory conditions. By removing allergens and irritants from the air, air purifiers reduce symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Air purifiers also help eliminate indoor odors.
Humidifiers, on the other hand, provide relief from the discomforts associated with dry air. Low humidity can cause dry skin, chapped lips, and irritated nasal passages. Humidifiers help prevent these by maintaining a decent moisture level in the air. Additionally, they reduce the risk of static electricity and protect wooden furniture from cracking. If you experience frequent nosebleeds or dry eyes, humidifiers can make a noticeable difference.
Usage Scenarios
Air purifiers are effective in homes where air quality due to pollution, allergens, or smoke is a concern. Households with pets can also benefit from air purifiers as they reduce pet dander and associated odors. Speaking of odors, air purifiers with activated carbon filters can efficiently remove odors from cooking, smoke, mold, etc. Additionally, air purifiers work well in almost all urban areas/cities where outdoor pollution is significantly high and dust particles tend to accumulate indoors.
Humidifiers are essential in areas with low humidity, desert regions, or high-altitude locations, where dry air can cause severe discomfort. They are also useful during winter when heating systems dry out indoor air. Additionally, if anyone in a home is suffering from dry skin, eczema, sinus congestion, or other low moisture-related issues, humidifiers can give them some comfort as they can improve the air’s humidity level.
Maintenance
Air purifiers require regular filter changes to maintain optimal and healthy performance. HEPA filters usually need replacement every six to twelve months or depending on usage and air quality in your area. Some models include pre-filters in the form of a mesh. You have to clean/wash them or replace them if necessary.
In the case of humidifiers, you have to regularly check the level of water in the reservoir and top up if it goes below a certain point. Apart from this, you also have to clean the water tank regularly to prevent mold, bacteria, and mineral buildup. Using distilled water is an easy way to avoid white dust formation or you might need to use a demineralization cartridge.
Cost
Air purifiers generally have a higher initial cost due to their filters. HEPA filters are the bare minimum nowadays but most advanced air purifiers use a combination of two or more filtration technologies (HEPA, activated carbon, or UV-C light) which will cost even more. Additionally, there is a recurring cost of filter replacement.
In contrast, humidifiers often come with a lower upfront cost. Basic models can be affordable, though more advanced units with additional features, such as humidity controls or warm mist options, may cost more. There are virtually no running expenses except for distilled water.
Can We Use Air Purifiers And Humidifiers Together?
While humidifiers and air purifiers have different purposes, there is no harm in using these two together. If you live in an area with a dry climate (like scorching and dry summer and cold and dry winter) with high levels of air pollution, using humidifiers and air purifiers can be a boon. The air purifier will remove the allergens and harmful particles. At the same time, the humidifier will add some moisture to the air, giving you some relief.
Positioning them in the same room works well, but they should not be placed too close together. Keeping some distance between them prevents the humidifier’s moisture from directly affecting the air purifier’s filters.
