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16
2007
Do humidifiers waste water?
Filed in: Water ConservationReader Question
I try very hard to live a low impact lifestyle but I have a question which nobody seems to have been asked before. What do you think about a humidifier in the home? Are they a waste of H2O?
Thank you,
Sheila
Ashley's Answer
Hello Sheila,
I’ll do my best to answer your question. You may be surprised but I’m going to turn your water question into one about energy, since the water used in an efficient humidifier is actually quite minimal in the grand scheme of things.
Due to Calgary’s low relative humidity (RH), the air does not offer much in the way of comfort. If you put a humidifier in your home, you’ll raise the RH which will in turn make your home feel warmer. This is because a higher RH will reduce evaporative cooling from your skin, increasing the apparent temperature. This should allow you to turn down your thermostat a few degrees. That said you should do homework to try to find a humidifier that requires the least amount energy and the one that will meet your exact needs. There are a number of different models ranging from table-top versions to those that can be run inline with your furnace. Keep in mind that the efficiency argument flies out the window if you use an inefficient humidifier as it will draw upon a power grid that is fueled primarily by coal. Also, you’ll want to ensure that you don’t put too much moisture into the air as it can lead to mold and bacteria growth. If you live in an older home that is leaky this shouldn’t be a problem. If you want to be precise, you can buy an inexpensive hygrometer to measure the exact RH in your home.
One other thing that I’d consider before buying a humidifier is the type of water that you put in your humidifier. Since there is chlorine in the municipal water for sanitation purposes, when chlorine vaporizes in steam, and combines with other organic compounds in the air, it converts to chloroform. Chloroform is a strong respiratory irritant and causes fatigue. The U.S. EPA recently stated that “Due to chlorine and showering, virtually every home in America has a detectable level of chloroform gas in the air.” It would be wise to limit your exposure to chloroform though. Water purification systems that eliminate chlorine would avoid any of these issues.
As with most issues, the answer is never clear or straightforward. I hope this addresses your initial concern but you should make sure that whatever model you go with, it keeps you and your home healthy.
Best regards,
Ashley
Ashley Lubyk, BSc. in Environmental Science, is the founder of the Healthy Homes program at Green Calgary. Please send your environmental questions to Ashley.