Warm Mist vs Cool Mist Humidifiers

If you’ve ever spent any time in Michigan during December, January, or February, you know how dry it can get during those months. The near-constant zero percent humidity causes dry skin, chapped lips, and dry coughs – making it seem like every Michigander is addicted to Chapstick and cherry lozenges. When this happens, we often pull our humidifiers out of the closet and pull them to work misting the air. But which option is best – warm mist or cool mist humidifiers? For 20 years, Iceberg Heating & Cooling has been Monroe County’s premiere HVAC specialist, and today, we’re going to discuss warm mist vs cool mist humidifiers.

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Pros for Warm Mist Humidifiers

• Warm mist humidifiers are great during winter months and can make the room feel warmer than it actually is.
• Warm mist humidifiers boil the water they release, making the air heathier to breathe.
• You can add different medicines to infuse the air with a soothing vapor with warm mist humidifiers. This feature is really great for babies and young kids with breathing problems. Just be sure to not leave them unattended.
• Warm mist humidifiers are super quiet because they do not have an internal fan.
• Warm mist humidifiers do not have a wick filter, so you don’t have to worry about replacing them as you do with the cool mist humidifiers.

Cons for Warm Mist Humidifiers

• Because the mist is warm, it’s easier for mold to grow in rooms where they’re used.
• Warm mist humidifiers are harder to clean because of minerals left in the container after the boiling process.
• Warm mist humidifiers use more energy than cool mist humidifiers because the water is boiled.
• The heating element on warm mist humidifiers is dangerous for babies, young children, and pets.
• Since they don’t have an internal fan, warm mist humidifiers are not ideal for large areas.

Pros for the Cool Mist Humidifier

• Cool mist humidifiers are more energy efficient because they do not heat the water before it is dispersed.
• Cool mist humidifiers are safer for young children and pets since there is no heating element to boil the water.
• Because cool mist humidifiers use fans to circulate the moisture that’s created, they are better for large areas, including the entire home.
• The moisture is mineral-free and pure because cool mist humidifiers use a wick filter.
• It can make the overall temperature of your home seem cooler, which is especially nice during the hot months of summer.

Cons for Cool Mist Humidifiers

• Because of the fan they use to circulate moisture, cool mist humidifiers are noisier than their counterpart.
• In Winter, they can make the home feel colder.
• The wick filters trap bacteria and mold, so they need to be replaced often to avoid breathing in harmful particles.
• You can’t add medicines to cool mist humidifiers as easily as with warm mist humidifiers.
• They can cost more to operate in the long run, because of the cost of replacing the wick filters.

While these pros and cons of cool mist and warm mist humidifiers should help you decide as to which is best for your home, it may be best to ask a medical professional. At Iceberg Heating & Cooling, we offer a variety of options to improve the quality of your indoor air with our Comfort Club™ membership program. Comfort Club™ provides you with regular system checks, bi-annual checkups, and service. This will ensure your unit is operating at its best and will meet manufacturer requirements for extended warranties.

We’re on call, online, and always on time, so schedule an appointment today by calling the professionals at Iceberg Heating & Cooling at 734-342-3420, or email us. Serving the community in Ann Arbor, Canton, and throughout Monroe County Michigan!