Do Air Purifiers Make the Air Dry？

 If so, you aren’t alone. Many people feel their indoor air becomes drier when their air purifier is on. 

No, air scrubbers do not remove moisture from the air, but the movement of air increases evaporation from the surfaces of the room, including skin and mucous membranes. This increase in evaporation can make the air feel drier than it actually is.

Let’s explore more about why you might feel this and how you can manage your indoor air more efficiently.

 

How Does an Air Purifier Work?

 

To find out whether an air purifier makes the air dry or not, you need to understand how it actually works. An air purifier is intended to remove pollutants from the air such as dust, pollen, allergens, dust mites, pet dander, and even smoke particles. Moreover, an activated carbon air purifier absorbs unpleasant odors.

How does a typical air purifier work? The key function of a typical air scrubber purifier is to remove contaminants. That said, there are different types of purifiers each comes with added functions.

For instance, a simple HEPA air purifier can only remove dust particles from indoor air. However, such purifiers aren’t effective at removing odors and smoke particles. 

On the other hand, UVC air purifiers can not only remove pollutants but also kill harmful microorganisms in the air. Likewise, an ionizer air purifier creates negative ions to more effectively purify the air.

Simply put, an air purifier uses various air scrubber filters and other technologies to improve the overall quality of indoor air. Typically, it uses a fan to pull in the air. This air then passes through a set of filters. Once the air is cleaned, it recirculated back into the room.

 

 

Do Air Purifiers Make the Air Dry?

The simple answer is no. While air purifiers don't remove moisture from the air, the movement of air increases evaporation from room surfaces, including your skin and mucous membranes. This increase in evaporation can make the air feel drier than it actually is.

 

A purifier is engineered to remove contaminants such as dust, pollen, allergens, pollens, mold spores, pet dander, and other airborne particulates. Purifiers with added features can address other problems such as unpleasant odors, smoke, chemical fumes, and even microorganisms.

It passes the air through different filters to remove the maximum number of airborne particulates. And none of these affect the humidity levels in the air. 

However, some people argue the activated carbon filter can absorb air moisture. But that's not actually the case. Even if it were true, the impact would be negligible. Therefore, there's no reason to claim that running an air purifier makes the air dry.

While there’s no reason to believe that running an air purifier, even with an activated carbon air purifier, can dry out the air, you may still feel some dryness due to other factors.

 

Why Does the Air Feel Dry When Running an Air Purifier?

 

While an air purifier does not reduce humidity in your indoor air, it enhances air movement, which triggers evaporation from surfaces in your room, including your skin and mucous membranes. This increased evaporation can make the air feel drier than it actually is.

Therefore, when your air purifier is on, you feel a sense of dryness in your skin, nose, or any part of the upper respiratory system. So, now you know it’s not because of the purifier itself. This can happen if you don’t know how to use your unit correctly.

Here are some other reasons why you feel so:

1. You are using a too big unit: It’s important to choose a purifier that best fits the size of your room. For example, if you use an industrial grade air purifier in a bedroom, it circulates the air too fast and you feel more dryness.

2. No regular maintenance: If you don’t clean the filter regularly, dust and other particles will start to accumulate on it, causing the filter to function improperly. The continuous circulation of unpurified air can lead to irritation in your eyes, nose, or throat.

3. Your unit is too close: If you place your air purifier too close to you, it can make the air feel dry. So, if you're using a portable air purifier, position it properly. For a better experience, it's recommended to use a whole house air purifier if that suits your needs.

 

 

 

How to Maintain Humidity When Running an Air Purifier?

 

Although air purifiers don’t cause dehumidification, you follow the best practices when using a purifier to avoid any potential discomfort.

• Choose an air purifier that best suits the size and conditions of your room or home.
• Use a dehumidifier alongside your purifying unit. This will make you feel comfortable if feel too much irritation.
• Monitor the humidity level in your room. The ideal range is between 30% and 50%.
• Focus on regular maintenance of your unit. Change the air purifier filter as recommended in the user manual.
• Sometimes, the air may feel dry if you are not properly hydrated. So, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Proper ventilation is key to maintaining a balanced humidity level in your home. But you should not let the dry and cold air from outside enter your home, particularly in winter. If excess dry and cold air enters your home, it will make the air in your home dry.

Remember, it’s not the purifying unit itself that makes the air dry, but sometimes how you use it might cause a change in indoor humidity. So, you need to be careful when using an air purification system.

 

Conclusion

It’s a misconception that air purifiers make the air dry. But in reality, it has no grounds. Some argue the carbon filter can trap moisture from the air. It’s not the case too. An activated carbon filter only captures gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

That said, if you don’t use your unit correctly, it can irritate your nose, throat, or skin. Therefore, you should use the unit properly and clean it regularly. This way, you will never feel dryness in the air again.

Are you looking for an air scrubber for sale or need help choosing the perfect air purifier for your home? Don’t worry; we’re here to assist you. At Alorairscrubber, our professional team can help you find the best products and services.