Can you use an air purifier and humidifier together?

There are two reasons why indoor air quality can be unhealthy. One is the excess moisture caused by high humidity levels, and the other is the entry of dust particles into the rooms. According to the EPA, indoor relative humidity should ideally be between 30 and 50%. Moisture levels below 30% can make the air too dry. Similarly, anything higher than 50% can cause respiratory problems, affecting the health of the residents. 

Dust particles contain contaminants such as pollen, pet dander, mold spores, smoke, and volatile organic compounds. With the increasing air pollution, more pollutants slip through the doors and windows and permeate the rooms. 

Clearly, we need to keep our homes free of such allergens while maintaining the perfect balance of humidity.

Does humidifier affect air purifier?

what does a humidifier do

Humidifiers and air purifiers can work at the same time both fulfilling a specific function without one affecting the other.

While you may not need to have both of them operating at the same time, both can be helpful. During winter, the air is cold and dry and furnaces draw the moisture from the air. But, a humidifier can be used to add moisture. At the same time, air pollution persists and an air purifier can reduce the pollutants from the air. 

Both appliances help during the allergy season. Air purifiers remove pollen and dust mites while a humidifier helps in reducing allergy symptoms such as sneezing, and a stuffy nose.

Do air purifiers take humidity out of the air?

Air purifiers do not remove moisture from the air as a dehumidifier does. The primary function of air purifiers is to trap air pollutants in their filters. They use a fan or ionizers to draw the air in, trap the harmful particles in their filters, and release the purified air back into the rooms.

Should you get an air purifier or humidifier?

Humidifier Vs Air Purifier

It doesn’t have to be a choice between an air purifier and a humidifier. They both help improve the air you breathe. Poor quality of air causes harm in the form of allergies, respiratory difficulties, skin and eye irritation, nasal irritation, etc.

So, using appliances to ensure that your home is filled with purified air while also maintaining the right levels of humidity is always the right choice. 

Air purifiers clean the air by removing or trapping air pollutants. The components of an air purifier are a fan and a filter. While the filter technology can vary from HEPA filters to PECO, or ionizers, they perform the same function of keeping pollutants out of homes by trapping them in their filters. Air purifiers neither add nor remove moisture from the room.

Humidifiers do not clean or purify the air. They add moisture into the room by using an ultrasonic technology that boils the water into steam and vibrates the water droplets through the air. They may also add moisture by evaporating the water with the help of a fan and a wick.

According to the EPA, it is essential that only distilled water is used for the purpose as tap water may contain mineral particles that could enter the room along with the moisture. 

Impact on health from air purifiers and humidifiers?

How air purifier impacts health

Air purifiers and humidifiers have different impacts on air quality but affect some common health conditions.

Allergies and asthma: 

Air purifiers are designed to purify the air by reducing the allergens, such as pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and mold spores. Traditional air purifiers trap these allergens in their filters and release fresh air into the rooms. The Molekule air purifiers use the technology to destroy the allergens even as they enter the air purifier. 

Humidifiers do not have a direct impact on allergens. They help the symptoms that arise out of allergic reactions. Humidifiers help to maintain the right level of humidity thereby making the symptoms less severe. 

Cold, flu, and respiration:

Air purifiers can help in easing the symptoms by removing air pollutants that cause respiratory irritation. By capturing the particles in their filters, they recirculate cleaner air. However, it is important to note that some of these particles are so tiny that they may carry viruses and they may not get trapped along with the larger particles. 

Humidifiers can relieve the symptoms of cold or flu and also provide protection from viruses. Studies show that increasing humidity levels to around 50% can reduce the infectiousness of some of the viruses. 

Dry air:

Air purifiers do not increase moisture levels in the room. So, if you are living in a region or home with excessively dry air, air purifiers cannot help.

On the other hand, they may exacerbate existing conditions such as respiratory ailments, triggering asthmatic attacks, bronchitis, and sinusitis.

Humidifiers improve the relative humidity in the air and improve dry air conditions in homes. This is especially helpful during winter when the heater is on.

Can you run a humidifier and air purifier in the same room?

You can run both an air purifier and humidifier in the same room to improve the air quality. The former will purify the air and the latter will improve the humidity levels of the room. The only concern is the placement of the two appliances. The filters in the air purifier perform a critical function by trapping pollutants and large particles.

Therefore, it is imperative that these filters do not get clogged as that can happen with a humidifier too closely placed. The moisture in the air can enter the filters and can clog them. Moreover, these filters being damp all the time become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. 

It is best if the air purifier and the humidifier are placed on opposite sides of the room for maximum benefit from each unit. 

Should you turn off the air purifier while the humidifier is on?

It is not necessary to turn off the air purifier while the humidifier is on as they perform unique functions without affecting one another. 

What does an air purifier humidifier combo do and which model is the best?

Air purifier humidifier combos solve two problems in one unit. You get clean air that is not too dry and you get the right levels of humidity without getting all the air pollutants also in. Studies show that indoor air quality can be much worse than outdoor air quality because the pollutants have nowhere to go once they are in unless there is sufficient ventilation. 

With an air purifier humidifier combo, you can buy one appliance, incur one electricity cost, and avoid the extra wiring or plug sockets, and save space in the rooms. 

Our Top Pick: Afloia Air Purifier With Humidifier 

afloia air purifier with humidifier

The Afloia Air Purifier With Humidifier is 100% ozone-free, energy-efficient, and has a 3-stage filtration system, a purification and humidification separation design, and is quiet with the MIRO-PRO making less than 30db of sound, and has the perfect evaporative humidifier function.

Pros of Afloia Air Purifier With Humidifier:

1. The Afloia HEPA Air Purifier with Humidifier has 3-stage H13 filters for protection from allergies, pet dander, smoke, and bad odors. 
2. It has an evaporative humidifier function that converts water into nano-water molecules to add moisture to the air. The water-free mist does not bring any impurities into the room. 
3. It has an auto-shut-off function, a quiet air cleaner, and a night light. The night light has 2 brightness settings and can be dimmed when it is bedtime.
4. The air purifier is detachable. The air purifier can be used independently. 
5. The Afloia Air Purifier With Humidifier is 100% zone-free, and CE and RoHS compliant. 

Cons of Afloia Air Purifier With Humidifier:

1. The air purifier is detachable with the humidifier installed on the air purifier. But, the humidifier cannot be used independently.  
2. When operating the unit in High mode, it can be loud.
3. The unit does not have a remote control

FAQ Section

1. How do air purifiers and humidifiers impact your health?

Air purifiers and humidifiers make a positive impact on your health by serving two unique functions. Air purifiers have filters that trap and block air pollutants from getting into the room thereby removing allergens before they can enter. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and help in keeping the rooms at the right humidity levels of between 40 and 60%.

2. How to use humidifier and air purifier safely?

You can use the humidifier and air purifier safely by placing them on opposite sides of the room so that the moisture released by the humidifier does not get attached to the HEPA filter in the air purifier. Moisture in the air purifier can clog the filters and affect their performance. 

Both units need to be maintained well with regular servicing and cleaning for optimum performance.

3. What are the benefits of using air purifier and dehumidifier?

The benefits of using an air purifier and dehumidifier include two important functions that can improve air quality within your home. The former prevents air pollutants that cause harm to health by trapping them in their filters preventing breathing difficulties and allergic reactions.

Β The dehumidifier ensures that the air is controlled with the perfect level of humidity so as to avoid dry eyes, dry skin, itchiness, and respiratory difficulties.

Conclusion

An air purifier and humidifier combo unit gives you two functions for the price of one. Simply put, it is a space-saving, energy-efficient, and quiet unit that purifies the air even as it maintains the humidity levels by adding the necessary moisture in the air. It is an ideal solution for comfortable and healthy living.