Keeping the air inside your home a bit more humid during those winter months makes your family stay more comfortable. Moreover, doing the same will also have its share of positive effects. In this case, you can go for a single, portable room humidifier for the best results. It is also the most popular type of humidifier in the market and accounts for over seven million installations annually in the US only.
Further, there are two types of portable humidifiers – ultrasonic humidifier and evaporative humidifier. The primary purpose of both these types is to humidify your home. However, what is not the same is that each of these works solves the meaning differently.
Therefore, it is also evident that the different humidifiers’ different varieties come with their own sets of benefits and drawbacks. Further, in this article, you will get to learn more about an ultrasonic humidifier.
What is an Ultrasonic Humidifier?
An ultrasonic humidifier is not a complicated device and consists of one water reservoir and any vibrating object such as a diaphragm. The diaphragm’s vibration happens at a breakneck pace that is not audible to human ears. It is also the justification for why the device is termed as an “ultrasonic” humidifier. The vibrations from the device circulate microscopic droplets of water in the air.
Such droplets further evaporate and make the air more humid. Besides, an ultrasonic humidifier is also known as a “cool mist” device because there is no heating involved in the entire process. However, you must know the fine line of difference between evaporators and humidifiers. The terms that will help you distinguish between the two are “evaporative” and “humidifiers.”
Evaporative vs Ultrasonic Humidifiers
What is the fundamental difference between an evaporative and an ultrasonic humidifier? To understand that, you have to recall the definitions of water vapor and water droplets. With the evaporation of water, the liquid changes into gaseous substances. Now molecules of this gas mix with other gaseous molecules that are already existing in the air.
On the other hand, water droplets are light and very tiny water blobs floating in the air. The concept is vital in understanding the difference between the two types of humidifiers. While water vapor is unable to carry water droplets in the air, droplets can do it.
As you already know, ultrasonic humidifiers utilize rapid vibrations to suspend water droplets into the air. However, in evaporative humidifiers, the evaporation process happens inside the device, and then dispenses it into the air. There are a few devices that also have steaming options to accomplish this procedure. Such humidifiers are known as “warm mist,” in which the vapor cools down before emission.
While the other types of devices wick the liquid through some filter, then a fan blows the cold air around. Therefore, the water evaporation happens, and vapor circulates the room. Irrespective of the method in which a humidifier functions, water evaporates inside the device before emission. Moreover, any other elements found in the water are left behind.
5 Benefits of Ultrasonic Humidifiers
There are quite a few benefits of choosing an ultrasonic humidifier over an evaporative humidifier. The most important ones are in the below list.
Humidistat Control
Ultrasonic humidifiers make the humidification process so vigorous that it can quickly turn into a disadvantage. It is because over-humidification will only lead to an uncomfortable room with mold and dampness. Therefore, you must go for an ultrasonic humidifier that comes with a humidistat option to regulate and detect the humidity levels. Besides, such an auto-function will switch off the device when there is enough moisture in the air.
Size Advantage
An ultrasonic humidifier comes in various shapes and sizes, and some are very small too. These compact devices are possible because the humidification procedure is quite simple. However, the water reservoir can be one of the restrictions that influences the size of the device. So, getting a smaller one sounds perfect if there is a little space crunch at your home.
Low Sound
As you already know, the name “ultrasonic” comes from the concept of sound inaudible to human ears. However, you must understand that the term “inaudible” here does not mean zero noise. You may get a very soft humming sound when the device is running, but that will surely not disturb you at any point. Sometimes, the hum cannot be heard at all if the room has people talking inside it.
Zero Heat Generation
Ultrasonic humidifiers are far better than steam humidifiers, mainly because they are safer to use. Unlike the steam devices where the water is boiling inside, the ultrasonic ones do not generate any heat. Now, these smaller details become very important if there are children in the house, or you are placing the device in a child’s room. However, indeed, even certain types of evaporative humidifiers can also work without boiling water or steam.
Saves You Money
Yes, ultrasonic humidifiers are better options for the pocket as well. It is because they burn lesser units of electricity, and therefore you have to pay less.
How to Clean an Ultrasonic Humidifier
Disinfecting and cleaning humidifiers regularly is very important to keep any risks from the device at bay. According to the EPA, there is a straightforward cleaning rule that you may follow. It says that you must clean your humidifier after using it for three days.
First, you will have to drain out all liquid from the reservoir and then wash it with a scrubber or brush. You must make sure that all the deposits, scales, and layers are removed from both the interior areas and the corners of the reservoir. There are strict instructions and manufacturing guidelines that you should follow. EPA suggests that the cleaning agents that you use must contain 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
Nothing can comfort you during chilly winters more than a good quality ultrasonic humidifier. With the help of this device, you can truly enjoy the weather, and also make sure that the pets and plants in your house are also doing better. Now, how will you know whether an ultrasonic humidifier is good for you?
Just check out the above points about one of these, and you will know which is the correct one. You can make sure that the machine makes little or no sound, and also has a built in timer, and proper control options.