Choosing the right humidifier for home and apartment

Creating a comfortable climate at home is not enough, it is necessary that it be useful for the body. For this, it is important to consider not only the optimal temperature conditions, but also pay attention to air humidity. In urban conditions it is quite difficult to maintain this parameter in a natural way, as household appliances, inadequate ventilation, climatic features of the region and a number of other factors contribute to air drying.

To correct this situation, you can install a humidifier. This will help to breathe easier, that is, there will be no feeling of dryness in the airways, and the concentration of flying dust will also decrease. Sufficient humidity improves not only the condition of the person in the room, but also contributes to the good growth of plants, prevents the drying of furniture and some decor elements. Naturally, the priority goal of the humidifier is to create a comfortable and safe climate. Various modifications of devices that differ in functionality, practicality and cost can help in this.

Types of Humidifiers

The range of devices for home air humidification is quite wide, as manufacturers seek to satisfy the needs of almost any consumer who wants to ensure a comfortable stay in the room. Classification of devices is based on the principle of operation and some additional functions. The following types of devices can be distinguished:

• Cold steam humidifiers or classic devices for partial climate control;
• Hot steam humidifiers or appliances that form indoor microclimate by boiling liquids;
• Ultrasonic humidifiers or equipment operating through the formation of fine particles;
• Humidifiers with ionizers or devices not only for a healthy climate, but also safe for the presence of bacteria, dust.

The above types of devices can be equipped with additional functions, used not only for moisturizing, have a number of positive properties, as well as some disadvantages when using.

Cold Steam Humidifiers

The founder of such devices is a simple container filled with water. It is placed indoors and a gradual natural evaporation occurs. This principle has been improved and as a result there are devices that can include a special tray, evaporative and filter elements, a fan. Air is forced through an evaporator saturated with water, and passing through it, as well as a filter cartridge, enters the room again. Products directly impregnated with water can be different, from paper surfaces to rotating plates, which directly affects productivity and cost.

If the room is humid enough, the evaporation process slows down, and the device naturally goes into standby mode. This process is not accompanied by either electronics or sensors, and this positively affects the price. During operation, you should systematically change the filters, try to use distilled water to reduce the pollution of all elements.

Hot Steam Humidifiers

The principle of operation is based on reaching a temperature closer to boiling water and the distribution of steam in the room.So that the room does not turn into a steam room, the device may have a hygrostat that captures moisture indicators, warns of overheating, and turns off the system. There are models that work until the water runs out in the tank. The device is quite functional, but not recommended in families where there are small children, as there is a risk of burns. They need to be located away from animals, as their curiosity can also lead to injuries.

If the safety measures are correctly observed, then the equipment can be useful not only for the climate, but also for treatment purposes, namely for inhalation. For some models, they are immediately included. There are conflicting opinions regarding energy consumption, since during the period of uninterrupted operation there is a high consumption of electricity, but such an evaporation rate is required in rare cases. The work of a steam humidifier is sometimes compared with a kettle and the same analogy can be drawn regarding the consumption of electricity.

1) Humidifiers with cold steam 2) with hot steam 3) ultrasonic humidifiers 4) with ionizers

Ultrasonic Humidifiers

Those who prefer modern technology, usually set their choice on ultrasonic humidifiers. The principle of operation of the humidifier is based on the generation of a special plate of vibrations that break up the liquid into minute fractions. Figuratively, this whole process can be compared with controlled fogging. Visually it seems that steam is being released from the device, but only it is cold.

Manufacturers are trying to make the equipment as functional and convenient to use as possible, therefore they supply devices with hygrostats, practical displays for controlling and fixing the desired humidity. One of the conditions for the use of such ultrasonic devices is to pour only distilled water into the tank, otherwise there is a possibility that all impurities in the liquid along with the water molecules will be transferred by the fan to the walls and furniture. Modern models can be equipped with a special filter to exclude such situations.

Quality and practicality are reflected in the cost of ultrasonic humidifiers. Although, on the other hand, it is compensated by functionality, safety and a long continuous life.

Humidifiers with ionizers

Equipment with an ionizer is separated into a special category, as it relates more to health appliances than just moisturizers. This is due to the specifics of the operation of these systems, which imply not only a high-quality supply of air to water molecules, but also the removal of suspended particles and even bacteria. All this happens due to ions having a negative charge. The presence of these particles can facilitate breathing and increase oxygen supply to tissues, due to a certain stimulation of blood saturation.

Enrichment with air ions helps to breathe easier and to some extent helps fight viruses and infections. Understanding the need for additional ionization, manufacturers produce models of the combined type, where air humidification, purification and enrichment of electrically charged atoms take place simultaneously.

What to look for when choosing a humidifier

Since the equipment for creating the climate is quite diverse, when choosing it, many questions may arise. To solve them, one should clearly understand what priority goals are pursued and how useful air is important at home. The purpose of the room is also important, for example, for a bedroom it is better to choose a model with a minimum noise level, under which steam humidifiers are not always suitable, for that they can process a large area. For children's rooms, you should pay attention to devices with increased safety, to eliminate unpleasant situations.Since the child’s mucosa is susceptible to various parameters of the air, immature immunity is not yet able to fight infections, it is better to install an ultrasonic humidifier in the room, which provides for additional ionization. To know which device to purchase, you need to pay attention to the main characteristics:

• The principle of action, methods of regulating moisture;
• Performance and the necessary provision of a power source for work (electricity, battery);
• Security;
• Additional functions, including the presence of special filters, an ionizer, instrument control options;

Already, based on these requirements, a cost will also be formed, which for each manufacturer of an almost identical model may differ. If you want to simultaneously carry out all kinds of procedures with air, so that it becomes absolutely safe for health and even has a positive effect on well-being, then you need to purchase a climate complex. The system moisturizes, disinfects, purifies, ionizes the air and, if necessary, aromatizes.

What humidity should be in the apartment

Just the feeling of discomfort while being indoors is not enough to determine air humidity. To do this, it is advisable to purchase a hygrometer to obtain accurate parameters, since a number of alternative methods only state the problem, but do not give accurate data. There are normative indicators of space saturation with water particles, they vary from 40-60%, it all depends on the purpose of the room. For example, in rooms for rest humidity is a little more desirable than in the kitchen or in the office.

Indicators of optimal humidity are not particularly different depending on the period, whether it will be winter or summer. The process of enrichment with water molecules is simply more difficult in winter, which is explained by constant heating and the inability to often ventilate the room. In the summer period there are also certain features, in particular, the operation of the air conditioner, as some modifications additionally dry the space.

In the conditions of the city, being in a confined space at work, educational institutions I want to come home and really feel comfortable and a properly created microclimate will help in this. To do this, it is enough to choose the right auxiliary devices, including a humidifier, and you can enjoy the pleasant and useful air together with your loved ones.

Video: how to choose a humidifier