Humidifiers are devices that add moisture to the air. While great for many things, humidifiers aren’t without their drawbacks.

Let’s talk about these pros and cons so you can decide whether adding a humidifier to your home is worth the trouble.

The Pros

Sinus and Skin Support

During the winter months there is less humidity in the air because air molecules are packed more densely and squeeze out the water molecules. Then, when you run the heat, the warm and less dense air comes swirling by and soaks up the moisture from your body. It really is a one-two knockout.

So in situations where the air is dry, a humidifier works to add water molecules back into the air. This can be great for your skin, sinuses, and areas around the eyes and mouth. If during the cold months you suffer from cracked skin, a bloody nose, crusties around the eyes, and all of the other unpleasantness of dry air, then a humidifier may be a huge help.

Furniture Life and Static Electricity

You might think that wood prefers dry environments. But this isn’t true. Dry air sucks moisture from porous materials. Then, when the humidity returns to normal levels, the material swells. This back and forth can cause cracks in furniture, and even dull textiles and wallpaper. However, be mindful that you don’t want to push humidity too far past 50%, as this can contribute to the growth of mold, wilting of paper materials, or staining of some surfaces.

Interestingly, dry air also contributes to a greater amount of static electricity. So if you have a lot of problems with shocking yourself, you might just need a humidifier.

The Cons

Potential For Bacterial Growth

Bacteria, dust mites, mold, and other microorganisms need water to survive just like you. Give them what they want and they thrive! While using a humidifier is unlikely to cause catastrophic mold damage, it is important to monitor your home, especially in cooler areas around windows or in the basement where a favorable climate can allow organisms to thrive. Additionally, if you’re prone to illness or have a sensitivity to dust mites, consider running a HEPA air filter along with the humidifier to take care of organisms in the air.

Electricity Bill

Running a warm mist humidifier can cost you a little extra on each electricity bill. For small humidifiers designed for bedrooms, don’t expect a significant increase in power draw. Larger units might have a greater impact.

White Dust

If you have hard water (high mineral content in your water), running a humidifier can cause “white dust.” This dust is made up of minerals that have been separated from the water and are small enough to float around in the air. Warm mist humidifiers tend not to cause as much white dust, so that’s the way to go if you don’t want to find the surfaces in your home covered in white particles.

Right For You?

Is a humidifier right for you? If the air inside your home is dry (you can measure this with a humidistat), then the answer is probably yes. If you live in a moderate climate with lots of rainfall, then maybe not. It is possible to add too much moisture to the air, so if you do run one make sure it’s only when you run your furnace or after checking the official weather report to check both the humidity and that a big rainstorm isn’t on the way.