Humidity is one of the most important indicators that affect a person’s well-being. To ensure the humidity that is required for health (up to 60%), you can use a special household appliance - a humidifier.
Types and brief characteristics of devices
Modern industry has launched the production of various types of humidifiers. They have some functional differences. Knowing the features of different types of devices will help make the right choice of device.
Traditional humidifiers
Devices of a traditional type saturate the air with cold vapor. During operation, the air mass accumulated in the room enters the unit. Passing through a wet filter, it is cleaned and filled with small droplets of moisture. After that, clean and humidified air is distributed around the room using the fan built into the device.
These easy-to-use humidifiers are attractive due to their low cost and minimal power consumption, although they require a long time to fully hydrate. At the same time, reliable operation requires regular filter replacement.
Important!Traditional moisturizers are not recommended for people who have a sensitive dream, as well as for children's rooms. A running fan makes a perceptible noise.
Steam humidifiers
In steam devices, humidity is increased by spraying hot steam. In steam-type appliances, there is a heating element, which brings the water poured into the tank to a boil, and then transfers it to a vaporous state. Such devices are convenient for quick humidification, and when using, no details need to be changed. When buying these units are not expensive, but during their operation a lot of electricity is consumed.
Important! If steam devices are not turned off in a timely manner, hot steam can overwet the air, bringing it to the greenhouse effect. Therefore, they will bring the greatest benefit in the greenhouse, greenhouse, conservatory.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers
The most popular type of household humidifier is ultrasonic. In these devices, water turns into steam due to vibrations of a special plate. The high frequency of oscillation breaks up water droplets into tiny particles, which, under the influence of the built-in fan, fall from the humidifier into the room. Ultrasonic safety devices, operate with minimal noise, easy to manage. The design includes a hygrometer that allows you to select the automatic mode of operation.
Important!Ultrasonic humidifiers are the most suitable for the rooms in which children are located. Automatic settings also make them convenient in office rooms: the device independently controls and maintains the required humidity level.
Air washers
Special devices called air washers justify their name. The air in them is cleaned with plastic discs that rotate in containers with water. In the process of "washing" dust and other impurities (including odors) are washed off from the air mass. Clean air masses return to the room. Simultaneously with the cleaning, the process of humidification of air also occurs.
Important!Devices that combine the functions of cleansing and moisturizing are designed for long-term use. In a short time they will not make the air humid enough, with prolonged inclusion, they effectively perform work in any room.
Climatic complexes
Multifunction devices related to smart technology - these are climatic complexes. They are more expensive than other devices, but take care of creating a healthy indoor microclimate and carry out this work in full. Climatic complexes purify the air not only from dust, unpleasant odors, but also eliminate dust mites and harmful microorganisms. In this case, the purified air is humidified to the required level. Climatic complexes are high-tech devices equipped with sensitive sensors for air analysis and selection of the required operating mode.
Important!Climatic complexes require additional costs for the replacement of several filters (coal, water, fine filters HEPA).
Humidifier selection options for the apartment
When choosing a humidifier, it is necessary to take into account not only the type of device, but also the specific conditions in which it will be operated.
Installation method
When buying a humidifier, you should pre-determine the possible installation location: on the floor or on another surface.
Floor arrangement
Units with large weight and dimensions are installed on the floor, for example, combined climatic devices or devices that wash the air masses in a room.
Advice!Outdoor appliances are best used in large rooms with a lot of free space. In small areas filled with furniture, as well as in children's rooms, such devices will be inconvenient.
Desktop layout
Most of the common humidifiers (traditional, steam, ultrasonic) are quite compact, light in weight. They can be installed both on the floor and on another surface: table, bedside table, shelf, window sill.
Reference!The higher the surface on which the humidifier is installed, the more effective its operation: heavy moist air moves down and at the same time increases the humidity in the room.
Type of filter installed in the device
When buying a humidifier, you need to pay attention to whether the device is equipped with a filter. Such units not only moisturize, but at the same time make the atmosphere cleaner. Manufacturers use different types of filters for their units. The quality and degree of purification depends on their properties and the qualities of the filter.
For pre-cleaning
Simple filtration and removal of large particles from the air is carried out. It is not possible to catch harmful microorganisms.
Electrostatic
Refreshes the room, eliminating stagnant odors and dust; toxic substances remain inaccessible for this type. Most air washes are equipped with electrostatic cartridges.
Plasma
Close to electrostatic filters in functionality. Differ from them in cleaning speed. Plasma filters will clean the same area 10 times faster than electrostatic filters.
Coal
Reliable filters often found in climatic complexes. Remove unpleasant odors, gradually coping even with a persistent tobacco smell.
HEPA
Fine filter. As a result of the operation of climate systems with HEPA filters, 99% of pollution and harmful substances are removed from the atmosphere. Guaranteed to get rid of allergens, dust mites, bacteria.
ULPA
Another fine filter, which in terms of effectiveness (99.9%) exceeds HEPA.
Antiallergenic
The special features of anti-allergenic filters are appreciated by people suffering from allergic reactions. These filters neutralize the harmful effects of fungal formations and mold that has appeared in the room, and will carry out antibacterial and antiviral cleaning.
Ceramic
They purify the water that is poured into the tank of the humidifier, ensuring that the room is filled with clean steam.
Photocatalytic
Multifunction filters combining an accelerated atmosphere cleaning procedure with its ultraviolet treatment.
Water consumption
Convenience of operation of the device largely depends on how often you have to fill water in the tank of the device. Therefore, it is necessary to check in advance how much water the humidifier will need to work on a specific area, and also determine how many times it will be necessary to add a tank.
- Small containers (4 - 5 l) are optimal for rooms ranging from 10 to 15 sq.m.
- Medium containers (6 or 7 l) are suitable for rooms from 30 to 40 sq.m.
- Devices with large-capacity tanks (7–9 l and more) are installed in spacious rooms from 50 to 60 sq.m.
The volume of evaporated liquid depends on the type of household appliance:
- Traditional humidifiers evaporate from 4 to 8 liters per day;
- Steam appliances consume from 7 to 16 liters per day;
- Ultrasonic devices evaporate from 7 to 14 liters per day.
To calculate the maximum duration of the device after the tank is completely filled, it is necessary to clarify in the instructions for a specific device how much water is consumed per hour. Dividing the amount of water flooded by the hourly evaporation, you can find out for how long the liquid poured into the tank will last.
Work volume
Another important parameter of the device is the level of noise that it produces. The volume arises from a running motor (engine), the built-in fan becomes an additional source of noise. Manufacturers indicate the noise level in the technical specifications of the device.
The minimum noise arising during the operation of humidifiers is 5 dB, and the maximum is up to 55 dB. The quietest at the present time are ultrasonic devices, the most noisy are traditional types.
Reference! For residential premises, sounds from 30 dB at night (from 23 to 7 hours) to 40 dB during the day (from 7 to 23 hours) are considered the norm.
Control method
According to the control method, all humidifiers are divided into 2 groups.
- Mechanically controlled devices. Structures with a simple control design are inexpensive. The mode and time of operation are set by the owners.
- Electronically controlled devices
The electronic control system has a more complex system, which uses a variety of sensors, indicators, display. Such devices are more expensive, but allow you to configure the automatic control mode. Based on the analysis, the design will select the required mode.
Additional features
In addition to humidifying and purifying the atmosphere, depending on the configuration, humidifiers can perform additional functions:
- aromatize the room with aromatic oils;
- ionize air for more thorough cleaning of the room;
- ozonize rooms for the destruction of viruses and bacteria;
- treat the room with ultraviolet light for additional disinfection.
Manufacturers produce designs in basic and advanced configuration: with timers, hygrometers, temperature sensors. Additional equipment increases the price of devices.
Models and companies producing humidifiers
Premium class
FirmStadler form, Switzerland - One of the leaders in the production of premium appliances for improving the climate in residential premises.
- Traditional appliances. Very popular are traditional models with additional purification from the Oskar series (Original, Big, Little), suitable for work in rooms from 30 to 100 sq.m.
- Steam models. The effective design (Fred) will quickly increase humidity in the room, without leaving whitish traces of water on things and furniture.
- Ultrasonic devices. Stylish devices with ultrasonic humidification (Eva, Anton, Julia (with aromatization), Poseidon, Jack, Atlas) fit well into any interior, work quietly and reliably.
Budget models
- NeoClima known for high-quality and inexpensive (about 1 - 3 thousand rubles) ultrasonic devices created on the basis of high technology.
- BalluWell established at buyers. They are attracted by a large selection of ultrasonic models that are easy to operate, high-quality humidify the air, can fill it with pleasant aromas. The price of budget models is about 5-6 thousand rubles.
- Philips- one of the most popular manufacturers of household appliances. A large place among his goods is occupied by devices for increasing humidity. Traditional models from Philips can be purchased for 6-6.5 thousand rubles.
Tips for choosing humidifiers in the nursery
- We determine how safe the device is in the children's room. We prefer ultrasound models that do not produce hot steam hazardous to the child.
- We check if there are any parts on the case that the child can easily disconnect.
- We evaluate the product design. In rooms with young children, it is advisable to acquire discreet mechanisms that do not cause the kids to play with them.
- For maximum benefit, we choose a device that has a hygrometer, a hygrostat, and automatic mode settings.
- The purchase of a moisturizer is the path to a healthy lifestyle for the whole family.
Leave Your Comment