We all inhale contaminated air nowadays due to excessive amounts of carbon monoxide and other similar pollutants in the air. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to breathe pure air. As a result, experts have invented air purifiers to protect human health.
Humidifiers are built to add moisture to the dry environment around us. Both devices for a boon for human health so, we can breathe in the fresh air without inhaling any toxic chemicals.
Humidifier vs Air Purifier
The main difference between a humidifier and air purifier is that humidifier makes the air humid in dry weather. On the other hand, air purifiers purify the indoor air by removing toxic contaminants from the environment. Moreover, a humidifier adds water into the air in form of steam. However, an air purifier cleans the air by filtering method.
When the weather is dry or cold, a humidifier is installed. This device provides moisture to the air so that individuals do not suffer from dry skin or feel as chilly as they would in extremely cold temperatures. It is set up indoors. It also prevents chapping of the human skin.
An air purifier is also a gadget that is used indoors. It is installed to purify the air using filters located within the air purifier. The filter present in the air purifier removes the contaminants from the air. The device does not add moisture to the air. It can prevent people from asthma and other allergies.
Comparison Table Between Humidifier and Air Purifier
What is Humidifier?
A humidifier is an indoor electronic device registered under the name of Raymond Banks. His patent was granted in November 1964. As the name suggests, it humidifies the air around us.
Depending on its range, a device can impart humidity to a single room or a whole building. A humidifier is installed in large commercial buildings (hospitals, institutes, etcetera), and these are also available for houses.
There are five types of humidifiers (central humidifiers, evaporators, impeller humidifiers, steam vaporizers, ultrasonic humidifiers). It is one of the functions of the HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning)system.
Central humidifiers come preinstalled in the air conditions and heating systems. Evaporator humidifiers use fans to moisture the region. Impeller ones are cheaper and children-friendly humidifiers that protect people from common flu and allergies.
Steam humidifiers work by heating water and releasing steam into the air to create a humid environment. Moreover, medical institutes also install humidifiers in ventilators to provide comfort to the patients. So, a humidifier is also used in treating medical emergencies.
One can measure the humidity of a region by using a hygrometer and getting the humidifier installed. Evaporator and Impeller ones are specifically for small buildings such as household areas. These protect people from dry weather and extreme winters.
One must get it clean to avoid the accumulation of bacteria. Furthermore, the water in the humidifier must be changed regularly and change its filters.
What is Air Purifier?
Air Purifier is for purifying the air by removing the impurities or by inactivating those contaminants present in the air due to the rising amount of pollution. Lewis P. Haslett invented an air purifier in 1849.
The main components of purifiers are fan and filter. There are seven types of air purifiers. The names are Ultraviolet Air Purifiers, HEPA Air Purifiers, Activated Carbon Air Purifiers, Ionic Air Purifiers, Electronic Air Cleaners, Central Air Cleaners, and Air-To-Air Exchangers.
An Ultraviolet Air purifier uses UV rays to remove the toxic gases from the air. This technology is based on the UV bulbs used in hospitals to kill the bacteria in the patient’s room.
HEPA purifier stands for high-efficiency particulate air. The device uses advanced filters to purify the air from particles larger than 0.2 microns. Activated Carbon air purifiers are idle for removing smoke, fumes, and gases present in the air.
Iconic air purifiers use ion-based technology by emitting negatively charged ions to attract positively charged ions of the impurities in the air. Electronic air cleaners work on the motor by using HEPA filters.
It makes sure that air before reaching the human inhaling system must go through the HVAC system and then through HEPA filters. Central Air Cleaners works in the combination of the building’s central cooling and heating system.
They function well and enhance the lifespan of our air conditioners and heaters by capturing the bacteria that otherwise get trapped in the filters of ACs and heaters.
Air-To-Air Exchangers refreshes the air by removing the stale air and keeping the air fresh. All types of air purifiers are beneficial and diminish the occurrence of respiratory diseases which are caused due to impurities in the air.
Main Differences Between Humidifier and Air Purifier
- A humidifier adds humidity to the air in the dry seasons and winter. On the other hand, an air purifier is an electronic device that purifies the air.
- A humidifier is of five types. On the other side, an air purifier is of seven varieties.
- Raymond Banks has discovered a humidifier. On the contrary, an air purifier has been discovered by Lewis P. Haslett.
- A humidifier is inserted into the ventilators to ease the patients. On the other hand, an air purifier is for preventing respiratory diseases.
- A humidifier is less expensive when compared to the price of an air purifier.
Conclusion
Both humidifiers and air purifiers modify the environment in our surroundings. Both the devices come in different variants and sizes, depending on the building. Raymond Banks got the humidifier patented in his name in 1964. On the other hand, Lewis P. Haslett got the air purifier patented in his name in 1848.
If the humid level of the region is 10%-20%, then that means the humid level is low. By installing humidifiers, we can maintain the humidity level. An air purifier prevents us from inhaling the impurities present around us by removing them with the filters installed inside the air purifier.
References
- https://www.neliti.com/publications/299118/indoor-dust-exposure-detection-system-for-air-purifier-controller-based-arduino
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890421006488