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Does it matter if a humidifier is warm or cold air mist?
Thanks, Hardy.
Thank you for your question.
Both warm-mist and cold-mist humidifiers can be
used in an indoor garden to increase humidity levels.
However, they operate in very different ways. Because
of their differences, a grower may find that either
the warm mist or cold mist is better suited for his
or her indoor garden. A look at the advantages and
disadvantages of each type of humidifier will help a
grower decide which is best for their indoor garden.
Warm-mist humidifiers are designed to create a
warm mist from heated water. In fact, most warm-
mist humidifiers heat up the water to its boiling
point, which greatly reduces the likelihood of molds
and bacteria. Warm-mist humidifiers will increase
the ambient air temperature within the growroom.
This can be an advantage or a disadvantage
depending on a growroom’s current heating/cooling
requirements. For most indoor gardens, additional
heat is unwanted because of the excess heat given
off by horticultural lighting equipment. That being
said, many growers prefer to use a warm-mist
humidifier during the winter months when the
ambient air temperature is naturally cooler.
Cool-mist humidifiers are humidifiers that
disperse a cool spray/mist into the air. The mist is
released at room temperature and is not actively
chilled. The two types of humidifiers that fall into
the cool-mist category are evaporative humidifiers
and ultrasonic humidifiers. Because they do not
heat or chill the water, cool-mist humidifiers
EH
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generally require less electricity to operate than
warm-mist humidifiers. The lack of heating/cooling
elements also makes cool-mist humidifiers the
less expensive option. Cool-mist humidifiers are
available in many shapes and sizes, so there is an
option for just about any size indoor garden. Cool-
mist humidifiers will not raise the temperature of
the air in the grow space. This is advantageous for
any indoor horticulturist battling excess heat. The
biggest disadvantage of cold-mist humidifiers is
they need to be cleaned and sterilized regularly
to minimize the chance of molds or bacteria
establishing within the water-holding chamber
or within the humidifier’s internal components.
Maintaining optimal humidity levels within
a growroom can be difficult and the use of a
humidifier, in many cases, is a grower’s best option.
A cool-mist humidifier is probably the best option
for growers who are already combatting excess
heat from lighting equipment. Indoor gardens that
can handle, or even require, the additional heat
produced by a warm-air humidifier can humidify
the air with less worry of molds or bacteria forming
in the humidification unit. Regardless of which
humidifier is the better fit, maintaining humidity
levels conducive for accelerated growth will reward
an indoor gardener come harvest time.
Keep on Growing,
Eric Hopper
Eric Hopper has more than 10 years of experience in the hydroponic industry as both a retail store manager
and owner. He continuously seeks new methods and products that could help maximize garden performance.
Eric resides in Michigan where he and his family strive for a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle.
Maximum Yield