October 10, 2015

Dyson Humidifier - Best Humidifier on the Market?

Hot steam showers are often helpful in alleviating symptoms of upper respiratory infection with cough. It can ease the nasal congestion and calm the coughing down. Due to these beneficial effects and the fact that dry airways can make a cough worse, a humidifier is a helpful device to have in a room. Humidifier use when the air is dry during the winter can also help prevent upper respiratory infections from happening as well as minimize nosebleeds.

Keep in mind that although humidity may help with cold and cough symptoms, it could make asthma/COPD worse if you have it. 

In any case, I've always been somewhat reluctant in recommending a specific humidifier brand... until now assuming you can afford the high price ($500).

Known simply as the "Dyson Humidifier," its high price reflects how much better it performs compared to rivals from not only a convenience perspective, but also health. Known for their amazing vacuums and fans, they may have accomplished a similar feat with the humble humidifier.

These are the key features for the Dyson Humidifier:

• 3 Liter water chamber can provide up to 18 hours of continuous use.
• One of the most quiet humidifiers on the market earning the "Quiet Mark" by the Noise Abatement Society.
• It can function as a simple fan without using its humidifier function allowing all-year use (providing some economic relief from its high price).
• It has a humidistat which can be set between 35-70%
• Easy to clean... No wick... No filter. Dyson recommends cleaning the casing weekly and cleaning the innards with a plain citric acid solution monthly (similar to vinegar, but less stink).
• Kills 99.9% of bacteria. Ultraviolet technology kills bacteria in the water before being projected into the room. All water is exposed to the UV for 3 minutes before being released into the air. Apparently rival humidifiers can emit over 280 counts of bacteria within 2 minutes of being turned on. Others evaporate water directly from a wet wick which can harbor bacteria.

To be fair... I'm somewhat skeptical of how well this humidifier prevents bacteria from spewing into the room air.  Water is technically clean (assuming you use city tap water). After all, most people drink it straight from tap without any ill effects. Therefore, the bacteria coming out of humidifiers is probably grown somewhere within the machine itself... and not so much the water itself that is poured into it.

So when considering the fact that the ultraviolet light is located in the base of the unit... but the humidified air is ejected from the top part, bacteria could technically accumulate in the space between the two negating the UV anti-bacterial effect. Watch the dyson video below to understand what I mean.

The UV antibacterial effect would be more believable if the UV rays were placed right where the humidified air would be blown out.

Check it out on Amazon!




Fauquier blog
Fauquier ENT

Dr. Christopher Chang is a private practice otolaryngology, head & neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of problems related to the ear, nose, and throat. Located in Warrenton, VA about 45 minutes west of Washington DC, he also provides inhalant allergy testing/treatment, hearing tests, and dispenses hearing aids.

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