this post was submitted on 01 Feb 2025
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I'm not an expert on thermodynamics, but we do have a humidifier.
My laypersons understanding is that it works by booking water to steam and kinda hoping some of the steam is absorbed by the air to become humidity, rather than condensing to water vapour as it cools.
It tries to maximise the humidity by having this internal chamber to mix steam with air and catch condensation but of course some steam escapes.
That I'd to say, I think it's possible for some humidifiers to produce more humidity with less water given that inefficient humidifiers produce more steam as a waste product.
Some humidifiers use an oscillating diaphragm to mechanically aerosolize the water. No heat, No steam.
Others are just a huge wick and a fan, also known as swamp coolers. Aprilaire whole house humidifiers work this way. Those are quite effective as well, and no heat or steam.