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Humidifiers can be the best way to keep the winter headaches, coughs and stuffy heads at bay. A humidifier also prevents furniture and wooden floors from drying out.

Most homes make use of portable humidifiers that are sized to accommodate a single room. The bedroom is the most common that requires extra moisture. Dry air causes a person’s sinuses to dry out which can cause stuffy heads as well as bloody noses.

Humidifiers come in many forms. Some utilize cool mist while others put out a warm mist. The difference is negligible since the humidified air is the same temperature by the time is gets breathed in.

If you have any concern about using a humidifier it needs to be the chance of mold and allergens growing inside the unit. A water additive that prevents mold and allergens are added before turning on the humidifier and will reduce the opportunity of further growth if water is left in the tank for a period of time.

Humidifier filters are also prone to scale and mineral buildup. This buildup can be removed and should be so that the effectiveness is lessened. The humidifier depends on water being wicked through the filter so that the fan can cause the moisture to evaporate into the air.

Holmes and Essick are large manufacturers of portable humidifiers. One of the latest models that Holmes introduced runs for up to 24 hours on a single tank of water and requires no filters. If the tank runs dry the unit automatically shuts off and dries it out preventing mold or allergen growth. Best of all, the price for such efficient humidifiers are often well under $100 – much less than doctor visits and furniture repair.