does a cool mist humidifier make the room cold

Does a Cool Mist Humidifier Make the Room Cold?

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and choose to make a purchase, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure page for more information.

Many people, especially parents of babies and little kids, worry about the cool mist humidifiers they use in their nurseries and homes. Namely, the worries are is it safe to use a cool-mist humidifier for a young child, and will the cool mist actually make the room cold, thus risking that the little one will get cold.

As you are probably aware, humidifiers are used to increase the air’s humidity, especially during the winter season when the heating is on, and the air is dry.

Dry air can cause itchiness, cracking, and irritation of the skin, eyes, and throat, leading to breathing and other health problems.

The main types of humidifiers are cool mist and vapor humidifiers and warm mist humidifiers.

Cool mist humidifiers will not increase the ambient temperature in the kid’s room and are suitable for ensuring that the air is fresh and humid enough during the hot summer days if you live in an area where the humidity levels are low.

On the other hand, warm mist humidifiers will emit some heat and are more suitable for the winter seasons.

Will the cool mist humidifier make the room colder?

While a cool mist humidifier may make the air in the room feel fresher and cooler, it won’t reduce the overall temperature inside and make the room cold.

A cool mist humidifier works by dispersing vapor of cool moisture in the air, making the air inside less dry, but won’t affect the temperature drastically. This is not a cooling air conditioner.

How does a cool mist humidifier work?

The cool mist humidifiers can be either evaporative or ultrasonic.

The evaporating cool mist humidifiers work by producing and dispersing cool moisture in the air via a fan, which blows cool air through a wet wick.

The ultrasonic cool air humidifiers do not use fans. Instead, they are fitted with nebulizers, which produce cool mist to vapor and disperses it into the air.

The ultrasonic humidifiers are more suitable for nurseries and bedrooms, as they lack fans and thus are quieter than the evaporating types.

Neither of the two types of cool mist humidifiers will make a room cold or hot. They will only increase the humidity in the air.

Who should use a cool mist humidifier?

If you are wondering whether a cool mist humidifier is the best option for your needs, then keep in mind the following benefits of using such a device in your home:

It can help alleviate allergies and respiratory problems

Without sufficient moisture in the air, your skin can become dry, and it can cause your eyes, nasal passages, and throat to become dry and irritated as well.

If you suffer from allergic reactions like hives or eczema, the air’s moisture can help alleviate the itchiness and discomfort. With enough moisture, your skin will be properly hydrated.

Having the right humidity in the bedroom can also promote better and more restful sleep, easier breathing, and reduced sleeping and respiratory problems caused by overly dry air.

It can make the air inside fresher

A good quality cool mist humidifier can refresh the air in your home and will reduce the instances of stale air indoors.

This, too, has benefits for your health and wellbeing, as it will promote a better oxygen supply.

It will also make the air fresher and more pleasant to breathe and live in.

It can reduce the static electricity

You may have noticed that you have higher incidents of unpleasant and sometimes dangerous static electricity. This can be caused by friction of positive and negative charges on objects, which is intensified by the lack of enough moisture in the air.

It will make life more comfortable in the dry climates and seasons

If you live in an area where the climate is dry, a cool-mist humidifier can make your life much more pleasant. It will also help reduce the irritations and health problems that can be caused by living in conditions where the air is too dry (up to 30%).

Pros and cons of using a cool mist humidifier

Pros

  • It helps reduce allergens and dust mites, which cause eczemas, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms
  • It prolongs the life of your furniture and home, especially wood floors and furniture
  • A cool mist humidifier is usually more affordable than a warm mist one
  • It will improve the efficiency of inhalers for respiratory problems like asthma
  • It is safe to use in homes with children, as there is no risk of spillage or burns
  • These machines come in all shapes, sizes, and prices, so there is a humidifier for every taste, budget, and need

Cons:

  • They can cause the development of mold and bacteria if not taken care of and cleaned regularly, or if you don’t use deionized purified water
  • They do require regular maintenance, including cleaning of the water tank
  • Some of the humidifiers using fans can be quite noisy, which makes them unsuitable for bedrooms and nurseries, which is why the use of ultrasonic humidifiers is recommended for quiet rooms

Are cool mist or warm mist humidifiers better for nurseries and babies?

Cold mist humidifiers are the safest option to use around babies and little children. They do not heat up or release steam, which can be a hazard for the young ones.

Also, with proper humidity in the nursery, your baby will have fewer skin irritations, it will breathe easier, and its overall health will improve.

They don’t use up as much energy as the warm mist ones, which is another plus.

See also: Recommended Blackout Curtains for Nursery in 2022

Where should I place the cool mist humidifier?

Make sure that you place the cool mist humidifier away from reach by the children. It should also be placed in a way to prevent accidental tipping and knocking it over, which can cause spillage of water and electrical hazards.

Place it somewhere in the middle of the room so that the humidity is spread evenly throughout the nursery, bedroom, or any other room.

Ensure that you can easily reach the device in order to be able to fill it with water and to clean it without the danger of dropping the humidifier.

Final words

In conclusion, we should say that yes, a cool mist humidifier will make the air feel fresher and a bit cooler, but it won’t drastically lower the temperatures and make it colder.

Remember that whichever type of humidifier you choose, you should make sure that you use it properly and maintain it regularly because water left stale in the water tank can cause the growth of harmful bacteria and microorganisms.

Overall, with a good quality cool mist humidifier, your home will become a healthier and more pleasant place to live, especially if you live in a dry climate or if the humidity levels in your home fall drastically due to heating.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.