Picking the right humidifier

Humidifiers work by constantly diffusing moisture into the air. Therefore, humidifiers require you to keep some source of water in your home. Permanently keeping a pot of water in your living room may seem to be a good idea, but open pots of water are not really effective and will likely not fit in the interior of your living room. The ideal type of humidifier combines style with sufficient performance — and choosing one that fits the characteristics of the room.

Plants as humidifiers

Indoor plants are a great way to aerate and humidify a room, provided you have enough space to keep them. Having only a few plants will likely not have a big impact on the humidity level of an entire room. If you have any space constraints, you can opt for tabletop or hanging plants. Ferns are a great choice, as are broad-leaved tropical plants.

Electric humidifiers

If you are looking for strong performance, the next alternative is electric humidifiers. However, you need to consider additional maintenance costs as these products consume electricity and need replacement filters often. All humidifiers require regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent microorganisms and fungi from growing in the tank and container of the humidifier. This is especially true for the ultrasonic humidifiers that create a ‘cool mist.’ This type of humidifier does not heat the water to create steam. Because the water is misted into the air by vibrations, microorganisms can actually be swept into the air, which can be really unhealthy to breathe in! Ultrasonic humidifiers also produce calcium that is harmless, but it leaves a veil of fine white powder on your furniture. Unfortunately, humidifiers that create steam by heating the water also use a lot of energy.

Indoor fountains as humidifiers

Indoor fountains can work well for people who have enough living space for them. This may be an interesting choice if you are looking for an artistic piece to decorate the interior while also naturally humidifying the air. There are myriads of indoor fountain designs and options available. However, it is important to note that wall fountains, in particular, may not give sufficient moisture to your living space as the main goal of these fountains is to provide a natural ambience to your living space. The surface available for evaporation is quite low.

Radiator humidifiers

The same is true for the small humidifiers you hang from radiators, which use the heat from the radiator itself to evaporate water. Some have small evaporation panels to increase the performance. The new Pingi Deco Humidifier is a new take on this type of product. The large evaporation surface of the panel allows it to evaporate considerable amounts of water by using the natural airflow.

How to pick the best humidifier

Placing a source of moisture in your living room can help you maintain the optimum level of humidity. However, not all places require the same level of humidity. Finding the right humidifier for your home requires taking operating costs, the performance needed, the styling of your interior and the environmental impact into account.