The dry summer season is the year when there is deficient rainfall in the tropics.
During this time, the air feels hot, watering holes and rivers dries up, and the humidity levels drop considerably in many parts of the world.
Although it is impossible to control outdoor humidity levels, we can take control within the house by installing a good cool mist humidifier.
Using these summer humidifiers inside our home is safer as it produces a mist of cool, humidified air into the indoor environment. Also, these help by treating various problems caused by the increasing dry air in hot summers.
But the big question is—should you use a humidifier in your home in summer, winter, or both? Let’s break it down.
When Should Humidifiers Be Used?
People who are new to using a humidifier in their house often ask me – What is the right time and season to use a humidifier in their room?
Is it Summer, or is it Winter?
Well, let me tell you, there is no straightforward answer to this question.
In general, a cool-mist humidifier is recommended for the winter season when the air is arid.
In winter, it’s often bone-dry, leaving your skin itchy and your throat scratchy. Also, when we use a room heater inside, we tend to make the air even drier, which needs to be humidified to breathe comfortably.
Infections such as cold, sneeze, sinus, breathing problems, snoring, ear infection, etc., can also be well managed by using these humidifiers in our rooms during winter.
During the hot summer season—when the air feels sticky in the room—using a humidifier can prove beneficial, too, as it helps control the humidity.
Especially when our AC is on and making the air feel cool and also a little too crisp and dry, a good room humidifier is recommended to maintain optimum humidity levels.
When to Use a Humidifier?
I personally love using my humidifier all year round—and trust me, it makes a real difference. Many people pack theirs away once winter ends, but that’s a mistake.
A humidifier can be just as helpful in spring and fall, when pollen and allergens are at their peak, or even during the rainy season, when the air feels heavy and uncomfortable.
Keeping it running year-round not only supports healthier breathing but also keeps your home feeling fresh and balanced, no matter the season.
Benefits of Using a Humidifier in the Summer
During the hot summer months, when we start using air conditioners in our home full-time, they don’t just cool the air but also remove the moisture through a process called dehumidification.
This dry, warm air in the home is the main culprit that causes nasal complications (such as inflamed and swollen sinuses and snoring) along with problems like itchy skin, itchy eyes, throat infection, and many other seasonal allergies in the dry summer season.
Not only to your skin and body, but dry air is also harmful to wood furniture and paints in your house, causing them to get damaged sooner than expected.
Using a humidifier with an air conditioner is a lifesaver and can help you avoid all these problems hassle-free.
However, please ensure that you use only a cool-mist humidifier and not a warm-mist humidifier in summer, as it can make the air warmer, making you feel uncomfortable.
Why It’s Important for Babies In Summer?
If you are concerned about how to take proper care of your baby’s sensitive skin in summer, let me tell you running a cooling mist humidifier during summer can do wonders for them.
Often, moms find it challenging to cope with their kids’ health and skin issues during the dry summer and spring months. Fortunately, the technology available with the best cool mist humidifier helps the moms in taking care of their kids’ health and skin.
As the humidifier maintains the proper humidity levels (between 35-50 percent) in the air, it provides a better atmosphere to nourish your baby’s skin by preventing it from getting dry.
Some of these humidifying devices also come with added features like a built-in air purifier and aromatherapy diffusers, which can help avoid the chances of getting your baby sick during this season.
In short, using the humidifier in summer for a baby can benefit by:
- Distilling the airborne illnesses
- Killing the allergy-causing bacteria and viruses
- Relieving dry skin problems like chapped lips in the hot season
- Preventing furniture and wall paint damage and enhancing the natural growth of indoor plants
Does a Cool Mist Humidifier Make the Room Cold?
Although using cold mist humidifiers does not raise (or lower) the overall temperature in a room, some users claim that their humidifier has helped to make their room feel a bit cooler.
Well, this can be an advantage for you in summer, as you can then avoid using your air conditioner and can lower your energy bills drastically.
Although the ultrasonic technology used in the modern-day cool mist humidifiers does not help cool down a room significantly, it can help make the air bit more relaxed and more comfortable.
What Should Be a Good Humidifier Setting in Summer?
Keeping those just-right humidifier settings is necessary if you want to relax on those scorching, hot, sunny days.
The perfect balance not only helps keep your home cooler in the summer but also cozier and warmer during the winter months.
In general, the most comfortable relative humidity range for most homes is between 30 percent and 45 percent. Setting your humidifier in this range can help keep your rooms and family comfortable throughout the summer, spring, and fall.
However, during winter—especially when the temperature drops below 10°C—you’ll want to adjust your humidifier to around 20–30%. Keeping humidity lower than 40% helps prevent condensation from forming on your windows while still maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.
If you are using a whole-house humidifier in your home, do not forget to turn off your whole-house humidifier in summer. If not, this can release extra humidity in your home, causing your AC to work harder.
A Few Extra Tips for Safe Usage in Summer and Winter
Humidifiers are available today in different shapes, sizes, and brands. These vary according to their water capacity, the area served, size, features, and functionality.
Choosing a good brand, after considering all your requirements, is essential so that you get the maximum possible benefits out of it.
If you have kids, pets, or elders at home, you need to make sure that the humidifiers are safe to use for them and do not pose any health threats to them.
Usually, the manufacturers publish the guidelines and instructions for usage. Do not forget to read the manual before you use the device for the very first time.
How Many Months to Use a Humidifier – Can I Use it in Rainy Season?
Most people end up using a humidifier for around 4 to 6 months a year, usually from late fall through early spring when the air is at its driest.
In colder regions, you may need it for almost half the year, while in warmer or naturally humid places, you might only rely on it for a few weeks.
Some people even prefer running their unit year-round, especially during summer when air conditioning dries out the air or in allergy season for easier breathing.
But what about the rainy season?
Since outdoor humidity is naturally very high, you usually don’t need a humidifier; then using it unnecessarily can make your home feel damp, sticky, and even invite mold growth.
The only exception is if your air conditioner is running a lot during monsoons, which can reduce indoor humidity.
In that case, if your home’s humidity drops below 30–40% and you notice dryness in your skin, throat, or sinuses, using a humidifier can still be beneficial. Otherwise, let nature take care of the moisture during the rains.
The Conclusion
You should start using your humidifier as soon as you notice the air in your home feeling dry. Common signs include waking up with a scratchy throat, dry or itchy skin, chapped lips, or even more frequent nosebleeds. For many people, this happens when the weather turns colder and indoor heating begins to run, usually in late fall or early winter.
That said, a humidifier isn’t just for the winter months. You may also want to use it during summer if your air conditioner leaves the air too dry, or in spring and fall when pollen and allergens are high. In short, whenever the air feels uncomfortable or your health and home show signs of dryness, that’s the perfect time to switch on your humidifier.
No matter what model or brand you choose, ensure that you carefully check the right humidifier setting to ensure that you get the best benefits from your humidifier in all seasons.
Meen Smith is a nurse by profession who loves writing online, spending time with her family and caring for the elderly. She has already worked as an associate editor on various moms, babies, home appliances, kitchen, and healthy living blogs. In her spare time, she also enjoys drawing, reading/writing kindle eBooks and improving her skills a bit.