So you are aware of the fact that extreme cold can decrease the humidity level of your home atmosphere. But, do you know that the only solution to this problem is a humidifier? Yeah, a humidifier vaporizes water and spreads it into the atmosphere. Thus, it fixes the humidity crisis.
But, regarding a humidifier, another common question also arises “do you put hot or cold water in humidifiers?”. Yes, whereas buying a humidifier is a pretty simple task, knowing which type of water to use in it is a different ball game.
Now, to answer that question in short, the temperature of the water does not affect the humidification quality of the humidifier. But, the majority of people recommend using cold water in a humidifier.
Then again, you might still be curious to know why people recommend using cold water in a humidifier. That’s exactly why we’re here.
In this very discussion, we’ll tell you all about which type of water you should use in your humidifier. So, let’s not waste any more time in chit-chat and get to know the facts real quick.
What Does Hot Or Cold Water Mean To A Humidifier?
The prime function of a humidifier is to vaporize water and pervade it to every corner of your home. Now, in the humidification process, it doesn’t really matter to the humidifier which type of water you use in it (hot or cold!). But, for humans, this matters a lot.
Whereas the humidifier does not care which type of water you put inside it, the water intake of the humidifier can alter our health both permanently and temporarily.
So, how does the temperature of the water affect humans? Well, to find the answer to that question, you have to be patient for a little bit longer. We’ll break this topic down in the discussion below.
Do You Put Hot Or Cold Water In Humidifiers? [The Logical Explanation]
In simple terms, it is always recommended to use cold water in a humidifier. Using hot water in a humidifier can be the cause of various health concerns. We have cited them below in an organized manner. Take a look:
Children Or Pets Might Get Hurt:
if you put hot water in a humidifier, it’s fair to say that the water you’re putting in will be at least 70°c. Now, if the water is touched by a pet or a child, this temperature will surely hurt its skin. That’s why it’s not recommended to use hot water in a humidifier.
Might Encourage Bacteria And Mold Growth:
As you might already know, compared to a cold environment, bacteria and mold can grow even more in a warm environment. If your humidifier is diffusing warm water in your atmosphere, this creates a massive chance for the growth of extra mold and bacteria in your home walls and furniture. As a result, your home becomes heaven for the bacteria to grow in.
On top of that, bacterial infection can also occur in the humidifier itself. Therefore, it’s not a good idea to use hot water in a humidifier.
Might Create Difficulty In Breathing:
For those people who have a chronic respiratory illness, warm vapor in the atmosphere can be a cause of difficulty in breathing. That’s why, if you have pneumonia and whooping cough patients in your home, we implore you not to use hot water in the humidifier.
Which Type Of Water Should I Use In A Humidifier?
Rather than pondering on the question “do you put hot or cold water in humidifiers?”, we think it’s better to give priority to which type of water we should use in a humidifier. In short, water that is suitable to use in a humidifier should have the following characteristics:
Fully Distilled Water:
Since water can contain many types of minerals, it can build up layers of solid minerals in the mechanical parts of the humidifier. That’s why, in order to lengthen the life of the humidifier, it’s a better idea to use distilled water in the humidifier.
On the other hand, if the minerals in the water get diffused in the atmosphere, it can create excess airborne dust. As a result, many types of respiratory disease and hardness in breathing can arise. That’s why fully distilled water is the best water to use in a humidifier.
If you want to filter your water to make it fully distilled, you can use the Brita Basic Faucet Water Filter System. It’s a premium water filter that can easily distill the water and make it prepared for use in the humidifier.
Uncontaminated Water:
It’s worth mentioning that the water to be used in a humidifier needs to be fully uncontaminated. If the water that is spread in the atmosphere by the humidifier contains bacteria and germs, it will surely give rise to diseases in the house. That’s why we recommend using powerful water decontaminators in the house.
The Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 7.0 is one such product that can ensure the safety of your water. We wholeheartedly recommend that you give it a try.
Which Type Of Humidifiers Are Best For Giving Out Cold Mist?
Based on the type of humidifier you use, you will get a definite range of temperature in your water. For example:
Using Ultrasonic Humidifier:
In terms of temperature, ultrasonic humidifiers( those humidifiers that use ultrasonic sound to make vapor out of the water) do not have any effect on the water.
Simply put, it doesn’t change the temperature of the water. As a result, if you use cold water in an ultrasonic humidifier, you’ll have a good result.
Now, according to our analysis, the Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is a very famous cold mist humidifier that uses ultrasonic sound to vaporize the water. You can try it out if you want a worry-free solution.
Using Vaporizer Humidifiers:
On the other hand, heat humidifiers( those types of humidifiers that vaporize the water by heat) will just heat up the water you put in the humidifier. That’s why using cold water on this type of humidifier is actually useless. So, we recommend not using this type of humidifier at your home.
Can I Use Tap Water In My Humidifier?
In simple terms, Yes. You can use tap water in your humidifier. But, you can only do this if your tap water is properly filtered and decontaminated. As tap water contains many pathogens and minerals, it is usually unsuitable to be used in its raw form.
That’s why it’s a bad idea to directly use tap water in your humidifier. Instead, you can install a purification unit in the waterline and then direct the water pathway into the humidifier. As a result, you will be able to safely use tap water in your humidifier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can I Do If I Don’T Have Distilled Water In My Home Right Now?
If you don’t have any way to generate distilled water for your humidifier, you can use chemical decontaminators to generate distilled water from tap water.
For this purpose, we recommend using the Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System. This chemical solution has the ability to instantly kill all the germs in the water and generate distilled water. So, do try it out.
Is Boiled Water Suitable To Be Used In A Humidifier?
Actually, boiled water is not fully suitable to use in a humidifier. It’s because boiled water still has minerals in it. But, in most cases, you won’t have any problem if you only occasionally use boiled water without demineralizing it.
But, if you’re looking for a long-term solution, we suggest that you use water demineralizers such as the HoMedics Demineralization Cartridge for Ultrasonic Humidifiers.
Bottom Line
So, do you put hot or cold water in humidifiers? Definitely, the answer to this question is “Cold Water”.
At last, now that you know all about which type of water to use in a humidifier, we hope you will be able to use the right kind of water for your humidifier. However, once you install a humidifier in your home, we recommend that you consult your physician regarding its pros and cons on your health. We bid you the best of luck with your humidifier. See you again!
