A humidifier is an important appliance. Specifically, it functions by regulating the indoor humidity of any given room, ensuring that it will not get dry.
But aside from the quality of the humidifier, one should know how to place it strategically. You would want to maximize the performance of the humidifier and guarantee that it can encompass an entire space.
Where To Place A Humidifier
In Living Rooms
Before anything else, you might want to measure the actual humidifier in the living room. In this way, you will be able to spot the ideal placement for the device.
In this process, you will need a hygrometer. It is an item used in gauging the humidity of a particular space. If there are spots where the humidity is low, put them there.
Ideally, you need to maintain room humidity of between 40% to 60%. That’s the ideal range to ensure that you don’t feel drying to your certain body parts such as skin.
Now, if you have a large and powerful humidifier, you may no longer need to be selective as to where you are going to place it. After all, it can already cover an entire space regardless of where it is located.
At this point, it is important that a humidifier includes a nozzle on its construction. It has to rotate so that it can diffuse mist evenly.
Room Size
The actual room size matters when it comes to the placement of a humidifier. If a room is too small, you won’t bother too much on where you are going to put the device. Given that you have a humidifier that can generate mist in decent levels, you can just mind this a little.
At most, you should place the humidifier on the top of a table or desk. Make sure that it is not near any items that are sensitive to water. These humidifiers can still cause condensation, which, in turn, will make its closest proximity get wet. Hence, you should not put them near power sockets and electronic devices.
If the living room is big, you have two options here. First, you can purchase small humidifiers and put them on the spots where the air is pretty dry. Second, you can get a large unit and install it in a location where it is open and free from walls and any forms of borders.
Given the humidifier is tall and nozzled, it is okay if you are going to put it on the floor. But if its vertical reach is limited, it is better if you are going to place it somewhere that is elevated.
Areas To Avoid
You need to remember that you should avoid placing the humidifier near vents and radiators. If your humidifier has a built-in humidistat, it is completely possible that these heat sources can disrupt their readings.
Vents, for instance, release humid air. It can make the humidifier “think” that the indoor air is just fine. As a result, it will adjust itself to the lowest setting, even if there’s an excessive dryness in the air.
Of course, it is also possible for these vents and radiators to cause the humidifier to operate excessively. It will generate too much moisture, which can make your living room wet.
Your best option here is to put the humidifier in the center, or anywhere that is open and away from those components that I mentioned.
In Bedrooms
When it comes to bedrooms, there are some specific considerations that you need to mind for the proper placement of the humidifier.
Of course, the standard procedures still apply. It would be best if you can place the humidifier in the part of the room where there’s an issue in humidity. If you have a small humidifier, then you want to focus its effort on the areas where the air is really dry.
But having a big humidifier will make those preparations not necessary anymore. After all, it can diffuse as much moisture needed so that your bedroom will get the right levels of humidity.
Just like in living rooms, you might want to consider the size of your bedroom, too.
For me, it is one of the first considerations that I take into account when choosing these humidifiers. Pick a humidifier that would suit the physical dimensions of your room.
If a space is too small, a large humidifier is an overkill. The same thing is true if your bedroom is spacious; you would never want a tabletop and compact humidifiers on such a setup. Overall, you just need to strike the perfect balance.
But unlike in living rooms, putting the humidifier in the center is not the best route for bedrooms. Instead, they should be away from the sleepers. They work better on the corners.
But why?
A humidifier releases moisture. And that moisture is still water but in its gaseous state. Hence, they still have the ability to get you wet. You don’t want to wake up feeling that you are being drenched, right? A distance of two to three meters should be good enough to ensure that you will not experience wetness.
Furthermore, you have to be wary of the kind of humidifier you have. Specifically, there’s a different placement for cool mist humidifiers and warm mist humidifiers.
Warm Mist Humidifier
A warm mist humidifier is using a heating element to boil water. When the water is converted into moisture, it becomes warm and influences the internal temperature of a given room.
Hence, they are the perfect choice for cold seasons. They are also great in dealing with allergies and illnesses. The boiling process kills the bacteria and contaminants that could be present in the water.
However, you should be careful of these warm mist humidifiers. You don’t want to sleep near them. The heating element that is equipped on them can actually burn you.
It is better that you put them on a safe distance, especially from your children and pets. And since they boil water, you want to make sure that they don’t get spilt. Therefore, you should only place them on stable platforms.
Cool Mist Humidifier
These cool mist humidifiers are generally safer than their warm mist counterparts. They are effective in most settings. You can still use them even if it is cold. Moreover, they don’t eat too much electricity, since there’s no boiling process involved.
Because of this, it is completely alright to put cool mist humidifiers near you. Not too near, but on a location where you can feel its effects. If you are suffering from dry skin, dry eyes, and allergies, these humidifiers should be within the proximity.
You can either put the humidifier on the floor or in an elevated platform–such as a table. It just depends on the reach of the humidifier. Also, don’t forget to put a gap between the humidifier and the walls. In this way, the device will be able to distribute mist evenly in your bedroom.
In Bathrooms
Honestly, I don’t think that humidifiers are essential in bathrooms. You see, bathrooms are generally wet. Their humidity is always on a stable level. After all, it is filled with numerous water sources. The air there has enough moisture to prevent drying.
But if your bathroom is unusually dry, placing a humidifier inside would really be a great idea.
However, keep in mind that you need to put it away from the water. Even if the device contains water, this doesn’t mean that it is alright to expose its components to water. That can cause electrocution and damages to some of its parts, especially if it is still running.
You can still use a hygrometer to measure the spots where humidity is an issue. Place the humidifier there.
I suggest that the humidifier should not be placed on the floor so that water will not get it. Instead, place it on an elevated part of the bathroom.
Moreover, I have to remind you that it is advisable not to run the humidifier after you have taken a bath or shower. When you do this, the humidifier can cause an excess of water vapor. By that time, your bathroom will become a conducive environment for the growth of molds and mildew.
Furthermore, you need to open the bathroom after using the humidifier. You don’t want to keep it close. Otherwise, molds can grow.
Places Where You Should Never Place A Humidifier
There are several places where you can put a humidifier. But at the same time, there are also locations where these devices should never be anywhere near.
- Electrical outlets – Humidifiers are electrically operated. Hence, they require to be plugged to power sources. But this doesn’t mean that you can freely place them near the outlets. That could cause rusting and short-circuiting. The water that is released by the humidifier can compromise the electrical system of your home.
- Near electrical devices – Again, it is essential that a humidifier is not adjacent to electronics like computers, televisions, and entertainment sets. Potential leakages can happen, and that cause electrocution or fires.
- Direct sunlight – While it is true that placing a humidifier to windows looks good, it is still recommended that you should try it. When the humidifier is exposed to sunlight, the water on its tank can give birth to bacteria. Of course, it can cause respiratory illnesses such as allergies and asthmas.
- Carpets – Do not put a humidifier on top of a carpet. First, you don’t want molds to develop because of the moisture. Second, water spills can damage the upholstery. Third, carpets are not stable platforms for humidifiers.
- Hard-to-access locations – It doesn’t make sense if you are going to put a humidifier on tight and difficult-to-reach places in your home. Aside from inhibiting accessibility, it limits the performance of the device. It cannot spray mist properly if you store it in restricted places.
Conclusion
Learning where to place a humidifier is essential. It lets you take advantage of the full performance of the humidifier. You are maximizing its reach and effectiveness in dealing with humidity problems.
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