What is a humidifier in the house for?

Residents of apartments and houses make sure that the houses are clean and warm. But few Russians are worried about indoor humidity levels. But this is an important factor on which the health and well-being of the inhabitants of the house, including pets, largely depends. In this article, we will explain why you need a humidifier, how to use it, and how to choose one. Let us consider in what cases the device can be irreplaceable, and in what situations, on the contrary, it is worth abandoning it.

Content Hide

Why do you need a humidifier in an apartment
How the device works
Air humidity standards
Types of household devices
Tips for choosing a humidifier
General recommendations for the use of a humidifier. Where can I put it
Advantages and disadvantages of the device
Video: humidifier and its main functions

Why do you need a humidifier in an apartment

Dry, insufficiently humidified indoor air negatively affects the health of households, especially small children. Situations are not uncommon when residents of a house suffer from various ailments and cannot understand the cause of health problems for a long time. But after using moisturizers, unpleasant symptoms quickly subside. To exclude a low moisture content in the air as a factor that negatively affects the well-being of the inhabitants of the house, it is necessary to purchase a humidifier for regular use. This device is especially indispensable if one of the residents suffers from diseases of the respiratory system. It has been proven that dry air aggravates the condition of patients. There are a few more good reasons to buy this device.

What is a humidifier for:

Plants grow more comfortably in rooms with high to moderate humidity.
Wooden furniture, books and wallpaper deteriorate faster in rooms with very dry air.
Regular air humidification is necessary for residents suffering from skin diseases and allergies.
It is difficult to get rid of dust in a dry room. During cleaning, it rises up and settles on surfaces again.
Pets do not tolerate dry air well.

humidifier operation — The rhythm of modern life forces us to spend most of our time indoors, be it an office, an apartment or even a country house. Creating comfortable conditions in our habitats is the guarantee of our health.

A humidifier is a useful device, but why does a child need it? Pediatricians recommend using it from the first months of a baby's life. The mucous membranes of a child are much more sensitive than that of an adult. If the baby often has nosebleeds, it is possible that the air in the nursery is dry and it makes sense to buy a humidifier.

How the device works

The principle of operation of the device looks simple - the production of an air stream containing water vapor. The humidified flow is distributed naturally throughout the room or by means of a forced airflow mode adjusted to the user's preferences. The second option is the most effective, as it allows you to quickly humidify the air.Humidifier models are mechanical and automatic. The first ones are started and turned off manually, the second ones are triggered by a sensor or a timer.

How the air is saturated with moisture: the device draws in air, humidifies and releases a stream of steam, cool or warm. The temperature depends on the settings and the room climate.

air saturation — Humidity is rarely constant. Various factors act on it. This leads to a decrease or increase in the amount of moisture. Hot air masses are able to absorb more water, so heat or hot batteries dry them very much.

Air humidity standards

The humidity in the room should not be excessive, so as not to harm the household and the room itself. Dampness favors the development of mold and mildew on walls and furniture and can cause colds in the inhabitants of the house. In the process of humidifying the premises, it is necessary to adhere to the following standards.

Humidity standards for premises:

Table tag

If there is a child in the room	Not less than 60%
If a sick adult or minor lives in the room	Not less than 70%
Living room, study, kitchen	35-60%
Bedroom	55%

diffuser — The surface on which the equipment will stand must be stable, level, raised to a height of 0.5 to 1 m from the floor level. This will allow the steam to disperse evenly, without the formation of puddles around the appliance.

Important! The humidity level must be adjusted taking into account the season and the characteristics of the premises. If it is summer outside, it is permissible to increase air humidification. In winter, the humidity rate can be increased if the room is heated by central heating batteries.

Types of household devices

There are three types of appliances on the market suitable for domestic use:

Traditional.
Steam.
Ultrasonic.

device types — Today, in electronics hypermarkets and in online stores, you can find several types of household air humidifiers, which are based on different operating principles: ultrasound, steam generation, natural humidification.

Air humidification in traditional forms occurs naturally - through moisture evaporation. In steam appliances, the air is humidified by heating water. The humidification process in ultrasonic models is similar to the principle of operation of fine atomizers. To understand the features of humidifiers, we will consider each separately.

air humidification process — In the struggle for the consumer, manufacturers of humidifiers are not limited to improving the basic functionality. Often, modern devices have a lot of additional features - cleaning, ionization and air aromatization, antibacterial protection.

Steam humidifier

Most steam models use the principle of heating water using electrodes. With a steam humidifier, the humidity level in the air can be raised to 60% in a short time. At the same time, in the process of humidifying the air, hot steam will destroy harmful microbes and bacteria.

Advice. When choosing a steam appliance, pay attention to the design of the model. The humidifier should be stable so that it does not tip over at the slightest careless movement, and not bulky so that it does not take up much space and does not interfere with movement around the room.

Steam models are made of heat-resistant plastics. They are easy to operate and require additional costs. You don't have to buy replacement cartridges and filters.

steam generator — A pleasant addition for owners of a steam humidifier will be the possibility of aromatizing the air - just add aromatic oils to a container with water.

Ultrasonic

This device is the safest for domestic use. Evaporation of water occurs due to high-frequency vibrations, which, unlike heating elements, do not pose a danger and risk of getting burned if handled carelessly. If you are worried that your baby might be scalded by the steam, choose the ultrasonic humidifier option.

Automatic shutdown is another significant advantage of the device. The presence of replaceable filters will eliminate the need to remove limescale white deposits from surfaces. Ultrasonic humidifiers are constantly being improved. Today, on store shelves, you can see models controlled by a mobile application installed on the phone.

ultrasonic humidifier — Ultrasonic humidifiers use more efficient humidification technology. It allows water to be transformed into a microscopic “water cloud” by means of high-frequency vibrations.

Advice. If you can afford to buy an expensive device, pay attention to humidifiers that have additional useful functions (ionization, aromatization, air purification).

Traditional

This type of humidifier was the first to appear on the market. Air humidification occurs due to the cold evaporation of water. A fan inside the appliance captures air and blows it through the liquid in the reservoir. Such a device is not as effective as a steam or ultrasonic one. Humidification of the air in the room occurs gradually, the flow spreads throughout the room from the place of installation of the device. The advantage of classic humidifiers is their affordable cost and ease of use.

Attention! Taking into account the peculiarity of the work of traditional models, it is recommended to install the devices in the driest places (near radiators, electric heaters, fireplaces).

feature of work — Devices of this type are the safest. They are environmentally friendly, reliable in operation.

Tips for choosing a humidifier

The stores offer a wide range of household appliances that can be used to control the level of humidity in the room. Before purchasing a product you like, we recommend that you pay attention to the following factors.

Performance. This criterion is most important, since the device must be suitable for servicing the entire room. If the room is small, less than 30 sq. m., to humidify the air, it will be enough to purchase a model with a capacity of 300-400 ml / h. For large rooms, the area of which is more than 70 square meters, it is better to choose devices with a capacity higher than 500 ml / h. It is better not to buy models that are too powerful, so as not to waste electricity.
Noisiness. To saturate the air in a dry room with moisture, the device needs several hours of continuous operation. When the device is turned on, it emits noise that can cause inconvenience and discomfort to residents. So that the sound of working equipment does not interfere with rest, talking on the phone or watching TV, it is better to give preference to silent models or devices, the noise level of which does not exceed 25 dB.
Filter. To purify the air from harmful microbes, inorganic substances and allergens, you should buy filters with a high degree of demineralization.

choice of humidifier — There are three types of humidifiers available in stores.They are based on different principles of work: natural humidification, steam generation, ultrasound.

General recommendations for the use of a humidifier. Where can I put it

The efficiency of room humidification depends on the installation location of the device. Manufacturers recommend adhering to the following rules.

To protect children and animals, it is better to install the device in a hard-to-reach place at a height of at least one and a half meters (on a cabinet shelf that a child cannot reach, or on a windowsill).
Do not install the humidifier close to batteries, heaters or other heat sources. For effective evaporation of liquid and safe operation, the distance between them must be at least 30 cm.
Place the humidifier away from papered walls, furniture, books and other items that could deteriorate from moisture.

Attention! If the appliance has been dropped and the water inside it has spilled, it is necessary to disconnect it from the mains. Dry the device well before switching it on again.

special features of the apparatus — When choosing the principle of operation of your device, take into account your individual needs and financial capabilities: in some cases, the simplest and most inexpensive humidifier will suffice.

Advantages and disadvantages of the device

If, with constant use of the humidifier, the humidity level exceeds 60%, the room will be stuffy. Waterlogging is also fraught with such negative consequences as the appearance of mold and mildew on surfaces.
Some appliances pose a potential hazard during operation, especially steam ones. It is undesirable to install them in children's rooms so that the child does not get burned by hot steam after playing.

device advantages — One of the most important parameters is the performance of the humidifier. It is about what area the device is designed for. Carefully check whether the declared figure corresponds to the required one.

Excessive humidity levels can cause illness in households. Air humidity of more than 80% provokes sore throat, runny nose and pulmonary diseases.

air humidifier — The most important factor when purchasing equipment that works around the clock is energy consumption. Compare a few of your favorite devices by this criterion. It may be worth overpaying for the device and in the future significantly save on electricity.

We have listed several unpleasant factors for using the device, but numerous advantages and recommendations of doctors speak in favor of buying it.

features of using the device — Remember safety - the device must be equipped with humidity sensors, automatic shutdown in the absence of water in the tank.

What are the benefits of regular room humidification, and why do you need an air humidifier in an apartment:

In summer, air conditioners save residents of stuffy houses and apartments from the heat. In the process, they "dry" the air. The use of humidifiers allows you to compensate for the lack of moisture caused by the operation of air conditioners.
Devices have a beneficial effect not only on the well-being of household members, but also on their appearance. Peeling of the skin is reduced, the skin of the face looks smoother.
Moderately humid air prevents dehydration of the body, which is provoked not only by insufficient consumption of drinking water, but also by dry air.
Regular hydration protects the eyes from fatigue. It has been noticed that in rooms with increased dry air, attention and efficiency decrease. The eyes begin to redden, there is a feeling of "sand" when rubbing the closed eyelids with a hand.
The device turned on at night will give you a healthy and restful sleep. Science and everyday experience have proven that in rooms with insufficient air humidity, residents are often worried about nightmares and insomnia.