People who have never used an air purifier before always come to me with questions and concerns. A very common concern people raise with me is whether or not the machine will dry out their air.
Many homeowners share the common misconception that air purifiers can make the air in their homes feel drier. However, that’s just not the case. A dehumidifier can reduce the humidity levels in your home, but an air purifier won’t take moisture out of the air.
Keep reading to learn more about how air purifiers work and why your air may actually be dry.
Do Air Purifiers Make the Indoor Air Dry?
Air purifiers don’t have an effect on your indoor humidity. Air purifiers improve the air quality in your home and reduce allergies by removing airborne pollutants.
To do this, they circulate air through your room, and that circulating air becomes cooler. The cooler air can make it feel drier.
Various other things can make the air in your home feel dry. For example, during winter, cold air is typically drier than warm air in the summer. Heating devices like furnaces and heaters can also dry out the air in your home, leading to various health problems.
An air humidifier will add moisture back into the cool air, making it more comfortable for you and your family. If you don’t have a humidifier, boiling water on the stove, leaving damp clothes to dry, and adding plants to dry rooms can also help alleviate the dry air problem.
However, purchasing a humidifier is the easiest and most effective way to add moisture to your home.
Why Your Home Feels Dry When You Use an Air Purifier?
I touched on it earlier, but it may appear that your purifier is drying out your air because it’s putting cooler air into your room. Your air purifier will pull in air through air filters that remove air pollution like dust, pollen, and pet dander and release clean air into the room.
This makes an air purifier great if you have allergies or respiratory issues. The air filter won’t remove moisture from the air like dehumidifiers, but the circulation of cooler filtered air can make the room feel cooler and drier.
This effect is more noticeable if the air purifier is too big for the room. Sitting too close to the air cleaner can also dry out your nasal passages. Using the right size air purifier for your space and keeping a safe distance from it will help keep the air in your room from feeling dry.
What Causes Dry Air in Homes?
Dry air is commonly caused by cold air and heaters in the air. Dry outdoor environments will also cause you to have a dry indoor environment. This is especially true during colder winter months when humidity levels are low. Dry lips, dry skin, a stuffy nose, and headaches are all sure signs of dry air.
To combat this issue, it’s important to add moisture back into the environment with a humidifier. Adding a humidifier can help keep moisture levels in a comfortable range, improving your overall comfort and health.
Signs of Dry Air at Home?
- Breathing Trouble
Trouble breathing or a dry throat is a sign you have dry air at home. If you wake up with a dry, itchy nose or throat, you likely have dry air in your home. - Dry Skin And Lips
Another sign of dry air at home is having dry skin and chapped and cracked lips. Cracking and even bleeding skin can be another sign of dry air. - Warping Wood, Cracking Paint
Warped wood or cracked paint on your walls is a sign that your home doesn’t have enough moisture. Hardwood floors and paint need normal moisture levels to avoid damage. - Getting Zapped
If you frequently find yourself “zapped” when you touch clothing or furniture, your home has excess amounts of static electricity. Dry air creates this static electricity buildup.
Health Risks of Indoor Dry Air
Dry air can create several health risks because our bodies need to have an appropriate level of water. We get this water through drinking and eating, but we are also at our best when we get some of our moisture through the air.
Our body brings moisture in via our respiratory system, and without enough water vapor in the air, this doesn’t happen. An itchy or dry nose, irritated sinuses, or chapped lips are all signs you may not be getting enough moisture through the air.
The following list showcases some of the health risks of indoor air:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness Of Breath
- Chest Tightness
- Skin Problems
- Nose Bleeds
- Chills
- Worsened Cold & Flu Symptoms
- Increased Chances Of Contracting Respiratory Illnesses
- Increased Spread Of Influenza
FAQs
How do you sleep with dry air?
You should not sleep with dry air. Instead, you can buy a small personal humidifier for your bedroom or nursery if you have a baby. Using an air purifier will ensure the air you breathe as you sleep is healthy.
Can the moisture in my air be too high?
The moisture in your home can be too high. The ideal indoor relative humidity, per Energy Star, should be between 30 and 50 percent. Anything above 50% is considered high and can cause discomfort, health issues, and even damage to your home.
Will an air conditioner dry out my air?
An air conditioning system could make your air drier. AC systems can reduce indoor humidity as they cool down your home. If your AC is used excessively or the humidity is already low, it can quickly dry out the air.
What type of filters does an air purifier use?
Air purifiers can use various filters. By far the most common type of filter in air purifiers is a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air). Activated carbon filters are also commonly used.
Conclusion
I’m constantly reassuring people that their air purifier will not dry out their air.
Instead, it will help limit air pollution and allergens in the air. If you’re experiencing dry air, you can buy a humidifier to maintain proper moisture levels.
Take my word for it – an air purifier and a humidifier will help keep you comfortable and healthy. With comfortable moisture levels from your humidifier and no airborne allergens because of your air purifier, you can sit back and relax in your home.
