Humidifier, << hyoo MIHD uh `fy` uhr, >> is a device that increases the amount of moisture in indoor air or a stream of air. It operates by allowing water to evaporate from a pan or a wetted surface, or by circulating air through an air-washer compartment that contains moisture.
Humidifiers are used in industry to create an atmosphere suitable for testing or processing certain materials. In homes, humidifiers help reduce static electricity and prevent wood structures and furniture from becoming brittle. Many people use humidifiers in the winter to help them feel more comfortable. Heated air is very dry and can irritate nasal passages. Humidifiers help reduce such irritation. They also slow the evaporation of moisture from people’s skin. The cooling effect of evaporation is thereby reduced, making people feel warmer at lower temperatures.
