People who have breathing issues like to use humidifiers and fans. Some may wonder if it’s okay to use them together. It seems like the ideal solution but do they actually work well together?
Can you use a ceiling fan with a cool mist humidifier? Yes, a fan can be used with a cool mist humidifier. A fan does a good job of circulating the moisture the humidifier produces so it’s fine to use them together. A fan can provide the necessary airflow a room needs to feel comfortable.
Read on further to find out how to use these two items together for the best results.
Understanding Both Appliances
Those planning on using a ceiling fan in a room with a humidifier should understand how both function to get the best results.
The Humidifier
A cool mist humidifier creates moisture to add to dry air. They are terrible to use in the summer because they can make the temperature feel even worse. The heat sticks to you and it can make a 70-degree room feel like 80. However, every room needs at least a little humidity.
Excessively dry air can cause nose bleeds, chapped lips, and dry skin so a cool mist humidifier can be helpful in drier areas.
The Ceiling Fan
Fans don’t dry out the air. A ceiling fan simply moves the air. They can cool a room a little. The average fan running at 350 ROM (rotations per minute) can lower the room temperature by about two degrees.
When you use one with a cool mist humidifier, the fan will move the moisture around the room to make it more evenly dispersed.
Closed vs. Open Rooms
The real difference in how a fan and a humidifier function together is whether the room is closed off or open to other areas. A fan does not affect how a humidifier functions in a closed room. However, that changes when it’s an open room.
An open room means the moisture-filled air is being moved to a larger space by the fan and more dry air is consistently coming in so you won’t feel the effects of the humidifier as much.
Cooling Off a Room
The two working together can make a room feel cooler. The humidifier produces moisture while the fan blows the dry air around the room. The interaction of humid and dry air can help keep a room a little cooler.
Misconceptions About Ceiling Fans and Humidifiers
One misconception people have about using both appliances at the same time is that the fan will lessen the moisture of the humidifier, thus canceling it out. That whole idea comes from the misguided notion that fans dry out the air.
A fan doesn’t push humidity out of a room. Using the two together can leave you with a more comfortable room, particularly if you live in an exceptionally dry area.
The only exception is using a window fan with a humidifier. A window fan brings in more dry air and that will cancel out the moisture produced by the humidifier.
Putting a Humidifier Near a Ceiling Fan
Some people experiment with putting a humidifier closer to the fan. That is a good idea and here’s why.
Humidifiers don’t spread their moisture well. It will produce moisture in a small, specific area. That is how it is designed. That means the area where the cool mist is is going to be more humid than the rest of the room. This can make a room uncomfortable.
Another problem is a humidifier will take a while to fill an entire room.
A fan will displace the humid area and make the entire room feel better. When you place a humidifier near a fan you are creating a flow of water vapor and this can reach all over the room. A fan will disperse the moisture to the entire room much faster than the humidifier could do on its own.
FAQs
Can you use a fan and a humidifier in a baby’s room?
Using a cool mist humidifier with a fan in a baby’s room is generally safe as long as the baby can’t pull the humidifier over. However, you shouldn’t use a warm mist humidifier as that poses high risks.
Is it dangerous to sleep with both a humidifier and a fan on?
No, it isn’t dangerous and could help you sleep better. The two working together may make you cold so be sure to have the right covers. Neither poses a fire risk so using them at night is perfectly fine.
How much can a room temperature be lowered with both the humidifier and a fan together?
An average ceiling fan will lower a room temperature by about two degrees. A cool mist humidifier doesn’t lower the temperature but can make a room feel cooler because of the cooler moisture added so it could feel like the room is cooler by five or 10 degrees if you use the two together.
Are there disadvantages to using a ceiling fan with a cool mist humidifier?
There is one clear downside of using the two appliances together. Using a ceiling fan with a humidifier will lead to faster evaporation of the moisture. That will make your humidifier work harder.
How much humidity should I want in a room?
You will need to use a hygrometer to check the humidity but most humidifiers today come with one installed. Your humidity levels should be between 40 and 50 percent. Going below 30 percent is too low. That can cause dry skin, aggravate allergies, and aggravate any nose or sinus issues.
Are there times I shouldn’t use a humidifier?
There are times when it would make a room more uncomfortable to use a humidifier. For instance, you don’t want to use it when the humidity is high outside. You also don’t want to use it if you don’t have purified water as tap water has different minerals that can affect your machine.