A comfortable level of air humidity for a person and surrounding objects is considered to be 45-55%, and it is extremely rare in residential premises. At the same time, it is not at all easy to clearly answer the question of whether a humidifier is needed in an apartment. Despite the obvious advantages of a functional apparatus, one cannot turn a blind eye to its weaknesses.
Evaporative humidifiers: This is the most common type. The water is absorbed by the wick filter and directed into the air by the fan. Some have a moving belt in a water tank. Steam humidifiers or evaporators: often the cheapest, these turn water into steam, thereby killing microorganisms. They pose a fire and scalding hazard and are therefore not recommended if you have small children or pets. Minerals in the water can clog cars.
Humidifiers or mist impellers: Water is pumped upward from a tank and “spun” against fan blades, which disperse it into the air. Ultrasonic humidifiers: These use high-frequency vibrations to turn water into mist.
If we summarize all the positive and negative aspects, it is worth noting that additional humidification of the atmosphere in the room is necessary. You just need to approach the process thoroughly and with full responsibility. It is important to understand how to choose the best version of the device or correctly use the available tools.
The harmful effects of insufficient room humidity
Numerous tests and experiments have made it possible to understand what will happen to the body of an adult if the humidity level in the apartment drops below 30%. At the same time, the strength of the negative impact on a small child will increase significantly compared to these data.
Before using the device for the first time, clean it. After that, never put it away or clean it. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. For humidifiers up to 5 gallons: Clean every day, that is, empty the tank, wipe it down and refill it. Sanitize every seven days as follows: Empty and refill with bleach solution. For humidifiers larger than 5 gallons: Clean daily and refill with clean water. Every third day, clean surfaces with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. Sanitize every two weeks with bleach following the instructions above. Although some newer models claim to have antibacterial properties, germs can still grow and you still need to clean your humidifier regularly. Your humidifier will work best if your home is well insulated and has a protective enclosure. If anyone in your home has mold or dust mite allergies or asthma, talk to a doctor before using a humidifier. To make sure the machine is doing a good job and not making the air too humid, buy a hygrometer, which measures the humidity in the air. Many humidifiers now have a built-in hygrometer, called a hygrostat, which automatically turns the machine on and off. But they are not always accurate or reliable. If you have forced air in your home, you can add a humidifier to the system to humidify your entire home. They don't pollute the air and require little to no maintenance—you may need to change the filter occasionally.
- Rinse for 20 minutes and rinse.
- Clean off mineral deposits and rinse again with a 50% vinegar solution.
- When you are not using your humidifier, leave it clean and empty.
Why didn't we move here a few years ago?
Steam humidifier
- The mucous membranes of the eyes, nasopharynx and bronchi will begin to dry out. This will manifest itself in the form of redness of the eyes, cracking of the lips, and the appearance of ulcers on the mucous membranes. You will feel as if sand has been poured under your eyelids, dry crusts will form in your nose, your throat will begin to feel sore, and it will be more difficult to breathe.
- Immunity will noticeably decrease, and diseases will appear more often.
- The condition of hair, skin and nails will worsen.
- Chronic fatigue and migraines will appear.
- If you do not use at least wet cleaning as a humidifier, the air will be filled with dust, and this is a strong allergen.
- Even furniture, books, plants, equipment and flooring become unusable if there is insufficient air humidity.
An atmosphere with a humidity level below 20% is considered uninhabitable, because even in the Sahara it is at least 25%.
Climate control systems and air washes
Wait, the skeptics warned: you haven't survived a single winter in this climate.
All this, and the first word about the punishment of internal air. As it turns out, the shores of Lake Michigan were a walk compared to the hallways of my climate-controlled high-rise building. The water fell on my bedside table this morning. Here turning off the heat is not an option. And since we live above an elevated train, none of them open the windows for more than a few minutes a day. Somehow, I had to save my lips—and prove all those naysayers wrong. Conventional wisdom regarding how these types differ goes as follows. Warm mist humidifiers are generally the cheapest of the three. Because the water is boiled before release, warm-mist models use slightly more electricity.
What are the specific benefits of a humidifier?
Hero of the day
What are the specific benefits of a humidifier? You and your household will get sick much less often. In a room where the air is dry, all kinds of infections - influenza, ARVI, etc. - spread much faster than in a room where the humidity level is within normal limits.
You will become less tired - dry air does not allow oxygen to enter the blood supply system in the amount it is needed.
The eyes will no longer become inflamed - in a room with sufficiently humid air, “dry eye” syndrome will not occur. This is especially important for people who suffer from ophthalmological diseases, wear lenses, or simply work a lot with a computer.
You will sleep better - scientists have proven that with the right air humidity, a person falls asleep faster and wakes up less. At the same time, he also rests better in his sleep.
An optimal environment will be created in the children's room. Babies need a more humid atmosphere than adults (by about 5%). Thanks to this, their breathing will be easy, which means they will feel more comfortable and less capricious.
Allergy sufferers will feel relief - dust mites, pollen and other allergens do not linger in the humid air.
Indoor plants will grow better - you can even create conditions for them that are close to tropical.
Harmful fumes from household chemicals will be removed.
It will be possible to clean less often - less dust will form in the humid air.
Slava
Dry mucous membranes during the heating season are +30 to the possibility of getting ARVI.
On the other hand, an ultrasonic humidifier throws into the air along with water droplets and all the crap that may be there (bacteria, allergens, etc.)... . so there can be significant harm to health.
Dragonfly NT
Why should you buy a humidifier?
1. Buying an air humidifier is a must if you have children of preschool and primary school age. A child's body is not as strong as an adult's, and dry air causes especially severe damage to it. Firstly, due to the dry mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, pathogenic bacteria and viruses easily penetrate into your child’s lungs, and he gets sick more often. Secondly, children breathe not only through their nose, but also through their entire skin, and when it is tight and dry, breathing worsens. Many modern children are susceptible to allergies; when the air is humidified, dust and other allergens settle on the floor, and the child breathes already purified air, maintaining health. When you buy an air humidifier for the nursery, you will very soon realize that the child has become more alert, coughs and colds less often, is less capricious, and sleeps more soundly. 2. If you start to get sick often, cough and runny nose appear more often, then you should also buy an air humidifier. Due to dry air, the nasopharyngeal mucosa cannot perform its protective functions: it does not retain viruses and bacteria. With the purchase of a humidifier, your immunity will be restored, breathing will become easier and freer. 3. If you feel dry skin after a shower, if your nose is stuffy at night and you have trouble sleeping. The skin performs a protective function for the entire body, and if it is dry, then there is no protection. In addition, dry air provokes early aging of the skin. Do you want to grow old earlier? Moisturizing creams and nasal sprays can solve this problem, but a humidifier will deal with it much more effectively, which will solve the problem comprehensively and immediately for your entire family. 4. If static electricity is high and you get an electric shock when you touch objects. Static electricity occurs due to dry air, and in addition to being simply unpleasant, it is also harmful. In this case, electromagnetic radiation from electrical appliances in the house usually increases, which is also very harmful to humans. With the purchase of an air humidifier, you will be able to calmly touch objects again and feel safe. 5. If you have wooden furniture, natural wood flooring (parquet, solid wood), musical instruments. During the heating season, wooden products dry out and sometimes even crack, doors become warped and stop closing. Such defects cannot be corrected. To prevent damage to expensive natural finishing materials and interior items, it is much easier to buy an air humidifier in advance and use it regularly so that the furniture will delight you for many years, for which it is really designed. 6. If you love house plants. Working central heating radiators dry out not only your skin, but also the leaves of your pets; they begin to wither and turn yellow. Buying even an inexpensive air humidifier can bring indoor plants that have withered in winter back to life. Air humidification is especially necessary for tropical plants. 7. If you live in the central part of Russia, with summer fires and smog. Humidifying the air during smog solves a significant part of the problem: it removes burning particles and its smell from the air, because under the influence of moisture, particles flying in the air become heavier and settle on the floor, and not in your lungs. Water can also remove some of the odor. Although photocatalytic air purifiers, which can also cope with poisonous carbon monoxide, solve the problem of summer smog more effectively.
What to consider when choosing a device
Before choosing and purchasing an industrial air humidifier or starting to use improvised means, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of their use. Some people introduce these devices into their lives without fully understanding why they are needed, how, when and what to use them for. As a result, they generate negative reviews that confuse other consumers.
They also pose a high fire hazard and are not recommended for use around children. Evaporative cool mist humidifiers use a fan to blow air through a porous absorbent pad. Even though these wicks look decoy quickly, replacing them every couple of months isn't too expensive or too difficult. Humidifiers with hydrating mist are considered louder than warm mist or ultrasonic models.
Ultrasonic humidifiers, which use sound waves to turn water into a cool cloudy mist, are by far the best-looking and most expensive of the group. They are also virtually silent. Disadvantages: The steam released by dry ice, while a certain crowd-catcher, can humidify not only the air, but also all bedding in its orbit.
- The humidifier is used when the air temperature is very high. The result is a sauna effect, and the residents of the apartment only suffer from a climate similar in its characteristics to the Amazon jungle. This usually happens in families with small children, where parents try with all their might to warm the baby, not realizing that he does not need it. Comfort temperature is 20-23ºС. When purchasing a humidifier, it is recommended to take care of a thermometer.
- After installing the device, the residents of the apartment began to get sick, especially children. Everything needs control! High air humidity is indeed a catalyst for the active reproduction of microorganisms, but only if these indicators are higher than normal. You can monitor this separately or simply choose a device with a hydrometer or special sensors.
- Polished furniture, mirrors, glass and the TV screen become covered with a whitish coating. This is indeed possible, but only if you choose an ultrasonic humidifier and fill it not with distilled, but with ordinary water full of mineral salts. Steam air purifiers release pure steam into the atmosphere, so such liquid control is not necessary in this case.
Advice: You should not believe the reviews of those who tried the humidifier and encountered one of the listed problems. These are indicators of improper operation of the device. To choose the optimal device, it is better to ask for opinions with links to specific technical characteristics, features of the device and recommendations for its convenient use.
On an average day below freezing, the indoor humidity level near my house hovers around 20%. How quickly can these machines bring that down to the norm—a comfortable 50 percent? Other considerations: How flexible are the settings? Can you pre-program your desired humidity level, and if so, does the humidifier automatically maintain that level? Did I have lips?
Maintenance Maintenance of your humidifier is optional: preventing the growth of bacteria and other rodents in the water tank requires serious vigilance. But when does cleaning and disinfecting become too difficult? Are there filters to change and how much do they cost? How does a new humidifier know when a thorough cleaning is necessary? How often should the water tank be filled?
Ultrasonic humidifier
Types of humidifiers
The modern market offers several options for room humidifiers, which differ in their functionality and operating principles:
Steam
The simplest and cheapest devices for humidifying indoor air. The principle of operation of a steam humidifier is extremely simple - water is poured into a special tank and heated to boiling. The released steam humidifies the air and sterilizes it. When the humidity reaches 50-60%, the device turns off automatically.
The main advantage of the device is its efficiency - air humidity reaches the optimal level in a short period of time. However, several disadvantages of the device can be noted: scale formation when using unfiltered water, high energy consumption, the possibility of getting burns if the recommendations for use are not followed, and high noise levels during operation.
Due to the increased risk of injury, it is not recommended for use in a children's room.
Ultrasonic
Water is placed in a special tank, which is split into small particles under the influence of high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations. These particles saturate the air, humidifying it.
The device has a number of advantages: safe operation; low noise level; low electrical energy consumption. The main disadvantage is the financial side of the issue - an ultrasonic humidifier is not cheap, as are replacement cartridges for it.
In any case, experts recommend using an ultrasonic humidifier in a child’s room, especially since some devices contain antimicrobial filters.
Traditional
This humidifier was one of the first to appear on the market and is still in demand. The principle of its operation is based on a fan - it drives air at room temperature through a wet filter, and the output is cool steam. The traditional device is safe to use, operates almost silently, consumes a small amount of electricity, and is a budget device.
Unfortunately, the filters of such a device need to be changed quite often, and it cannot be used to purify the air. A traditional humidifier is also quite acceptable for a child's room. However, it is worth considering that it can lower the room temperature by 1-2 degrees.
Homemade and modern air humidifiers - types and features
Today, in any large household appliance store you can look and choose a suitable humidifier. At the same time, the smart device will not only ensure the fulfillment of the given goal, but will also additionally purify the air, ionize it and perform other useful actions.
The Feng Shui Factor An apartment as small as mine can accommodate so many clunky appliances, so appearance matters. How much floor space does it occupy? Does it have attractive extras, and do these extra features have any impact on performance? Another important component: noise. A good moisturizer and a good night's sleep should go hand in hand. The "no filter" feature turned out to be a false selling point as it meant more frequent manual cleansing.
This humidifier also completely flopped the silence test. His periodic commotion seemed as disconcerting as my cat vomit, and it pierced me several times. And for my final quibble: the water tank of such a small humidifier should fit easily into the kitchen sink. A little more money will buy a vastly superior machine.
- Standard steam cleaner. The simplest option, which has high moisture levels, does not emit harmful impurities into the atmosphere. Among the disadvantages, it is worth highlighting the high power consumption and such a side effect as heating the air (you don’t use it in the summer)
- Ultrasonic device. It is practically silent, does an excellent job of humidifying the atmosphere even in large rooms, and produces a temperature slightly higher than the ambient temperature. Before choosing a humidifier like this, you need to evaluate the additional costs. You will have to fill it with distilled water; you can also install a special filter. The liquid will have to be added quite often. In this case, you definitely need a built-in or separate hydrostat, otherwise the air can be greatly oversaturated with moisture.
- Washer for cold evaporation air. Consumes a minimal amount of electricity, does not allow the atmosphere to become waterlogged, and ordinary tap water is enough to start. Simultaneously with humidification, the air space is cleaned. With all this, the humidifier is large in size and high in cost. To maintain the operation of the device, it is necessary to regularly change the water and clean special deposits.
Performance: 4 Maintenance: 5 Feng Shui Factor: 3 Total: 12 Its vertical shape offers obvious advantages: it fits into tight corners more easily. And while it's not exactly quiet, its steady hum from the air conditioning was more soothing than annoying. A digital screen that allows me to quantify my desired humidity level is simply two sets with a fan and drip graphics.
However, the sensors kept the humidity level at my preferred amount of raindrops. However, after about three weeks of testing, the water tank leaked all over my floor. It’s somewhat surprising that the guy immediately agreed and didn’t ask any questions - apparently, part of the guarantee. Productivity: 2 Maintenance: 6 Feng Shui Factor: 5 Total: 5.
Some people do not understand why buy a unit that is not the cheapest, if you can get by with improvised means:
- Aquarium. A universal humidifier, the functionality of which depends on the volume of the container. The water simply evaporates throughout the day, humidifying the air. If you turn on the aeration function, the rate of moisture evaporation can be increased.
- Home fountain. Even not the largest unit will do an excellent job of humidifying the air and at the same time decorate the room. It is best to refill such devices with filtered water.
- Houseplants. Even one green pet (fern, monstera, hibiscus and others) will improve the air quality in the room. And if it is a whole green wall, then additional devices will be frankly unnecessary.
- Spraying liquid using a spray bottle. It is not only the “air” that needs to be treated, but also curtains, walls, and furniture.
- Homemade designs. Craftsmen have come up with many options for high-quality humidifiers that can not only saturate the atmosphere with moisture, but also fill it with a pleasant aroma. This can be an ordinary bowl of water (with the addition of essential oil), placed near the battery. The edge of a towel is dipped into it and laid out on a dish.
The presence of a humidifier significantly facilitates the breathing process, has a positive effect on health and mood, and improves immunity. You just need to decide on your needs and choose the appropriate unit.
However, if you can get past its gloomy appearance and false-seeming design, you can admire this manual dialing device. This quickly increased the humidity in my apartment and cleanup was easy. I was thinking of a digital screen to monitor fan speed and moisture output, as well as an auto shut-off feature or some kind of indicator that the water tanks were empty, but none of these were ruptures. The two water reservoirs flanking the sides of the unit are difficult to fill, and their narrow spouts have become more difficult to fill than usual.
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Performance: 7 Maintenance: 7 Feng Shui Factor: 0 Total: 14 This nearly silent humidifier also has a cool two-piece rotating spout that shoots mist in multiple directions for a great laser floyd effect. The vertical shape is also convenient.
Assembly was a little tricky. Performance: 6 Maintenance: 6 Feng Shui Factor: 5 Total: 17 This machine is extremely compact and the water tank lasts for more than 24 hours during normal operation. Its cleaning instructions are also suspiciously simple, with no hidden costs. The main problem with this machine is its range.
In this article we will look at information about these devices, and also dwell on the opinion about Komarovsky’s air humidifiers, reviews, the benefits and harms of these devices.
Today, household humidifiers are extremely popular due to the fact that people have been educated about the need for them to maintain proper indoor humidity.
Even though it was perfect in my cozy bedroom, it had little effect on the humidity levels in my larger living room. Performance: 5 Maintenance: 9 Feng Shui Factor: 3 Total: 17 This humidifier features “mineral absorption pads” that make daily cleaning unnecessary. Productivity: 7 Maintenance: 7 Feng Shui Factor: 5 Total: 5.
No, it's not the most swashbuckling unit, but it's not disgusting either. The dual-fill water tank is brilliant: the first time you fill the 2-gallon tank, water flows into the machine. Then you refill it immediately and the water stays there until the first batch evaporates—a neat trick that cuts twice as long as you have to stop your life to wade back and forth from the bathtub. Other features reflect this emphasis on efficiency.
And in fact, for a comfortable existence, the microclimate of the room is important, which includes such concepts as temperature, light, air humidity and ionization. However, it is not enough to simply purchase a device and plug it into a power outlet. These indicators must be monitored and controlled, otherwise the situation with the microclimate of the room can only worsen.
Additional benefits: it turns off when the room reaches the target humidity level; It tells you when to refill the tank and when to change the filter. In addition to three fan speeds, the automatic feature ensures the air is as humid as possible if you're willing to put up with the occasional jarring soundtrack.
Perhaps most importantly, this humidifier did everything it could to make my sugar apartment livable again. Performance: 9 Maintenance: 8 Feng Shui Factor: 3 Total: 20 Dry sinuses, bloody noses and chapped lips—humidifiers can help soothe these familiar problems caused by dry indoor air. Humidifiers may also help relieve symptoms of a cold or other breathing condition.
Air humidifier for children: which is better and Komarovsky’s opinion
A humidifier helps maintain the humidity in the room required by sanitary standards and regulations. Dryness is the main problem determining childhood morbidity.
This is especially clearly visible in children's institutions with the onset of the heating season. The heated air loses moisture, and infections appear that are difficult for the child’s body to fight.
Therefore, you cannot do without special devices, and a humidifier is considered the best option.
ARVI and choosing a humidifier
Dry air is one of the causes of frequent ARVI in children
The famous pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky claims that dry indoor air is contraindicated for children for a number of reasons:
Attention! If a viral infection is detected in the house, you need to ensure the necessary microclimate parameters: air temperature - 18-20 ° C and humidity - 50-70%. Compliance with this regime and proper ventilation will help you avoid the use of potent medications.
At high humidity (more than 70%), mold fungi appear and multiply - sources of allergic reactions. To prevent this, you need to control the moisture using a hygrometer.
Humidifiers are used for operation:
- cold steam;
- hot steam;
- ionizing effect on air;
- ultrasonic vibrations.
An air purifier will help optimize the improvement of the home environment: as the dust concentration decreases, breathing will become easier.
It is taken into account that any of the devices (moisturizing, cleansing) have an effective radius of 1.5 - 2 m. Therefore, it is necessary to change their location as often as possible. This is easy to do, because...
The compact device can be used even in a small baby’s room: the humidifier is placed directly next to the baby’s bed.
What type of air humidifier is needed - how to choose: Komarovsky advises
Komarovsky always advises a healthy microclimate
ultrasonic device. Silent operation is a strong argument in its favor. Among the positive characteristics one can also note:
- safe operation;
- analysis of air parameters in automatic mode;
- performing their adjustments;
- possibility of using an additional option – air purification.
The operation of the ultrasonic device is based on the splitting of water coming from a special storage tank into small particles. At the same time, the built-in air blower takes it from the room and delivers it for mixing inside the freshener. Moisture saturation occurs there. The wet composition is then fed back into the room.
An ultrasound machine is considered the most expensive, but also the most effective, today. Uses electrical energy economically. To ensure that the air in the children's room is truly healthy, you need to use water to refill the humidifier:
- distilled - the best, but also the most expensive option;
- bottled product;
- liquid purified by household filters, especially a reverse osmosis system;
- boiled and settled liquid, freed from precipitated hardness salts.
By the way! It is hardness salts that cause whitish deposits to appear on office equipment, furniture and other surfaces.
What other humidifiers can you use?
If an ultrasound device is not affordable, there are a number of other technologies. They also improve the humidity conditions in the room, bringing it to the required 50-70%. These are cheaper and quite effective installations.
Classic (traditional)
They work noisily, only for humidification, using a water tank, a fan and paper cassettes, without regulating the degree of air saturation with moisture. They are easy to install, operate and maintain. They are inexpensive. Energy efficient. The process of liquid evaporation occurs in the on state. The maximum potential is an increase in air humidity up to 60%.
Steam
The liquid evaporates as it is heated to a temperature of 50-80°C by electric heating elements. Depending on the type of model, daily water consumption can reach up to 17 liters, bringing the humidity level to maximum saturation - 100%. Therefore, it is used together with a hygrostat to avoid waterlogging.
Automatically, using sensors, the decrease in the water level in the tank, as well as the moisture content in the air in the room, is monitored. The humidifier turns on when its critical minimum level is reached. Steam installations should be positioned where access to a child is prohibited for his personal safety.
Ionizers
To improve air purification in an apartment, steam and traditional humidifiers often have an air ionizer. Its functions:
- saturate the air space of the room with negative ions, which strengthens sleep and improves well-being;
- eliminate unpleasant odors;
- fight microorganisms in the air;
- increase the body's resistance to colds and allergic diseases;
- strengthen the immune system and reduce allergic manifestations.
- activate gas exchange in the body.
Special models of ionizers have appeared in the retail chain, with a separate program for children. It is balanced in terms of ion concentration, which must be adhered to, which simplifies the use of the device.
Ultrasonic humidifiers - great for children's
There are also a number of restrictions that must be indicated in the instructions for the ionizer and taken into account before installing it. The main ones:
- individual intolerance by the body to charged particles;
- malignant or benign neoplasms in apartment residents;
- dusty environment, aggravating the penetration of dust particles into the lungs, etc.
If this concerns a child's room, then the ionizer should be oriented in the room in such a way that it does not blow on the child, creating discomfort for him. This should not be the head of the crib or a place on the table. If these and other contraindications are absent, then an ionizer in the apartment is a necessary and useful thing.
Humidifiers: what influences your choice
What you need to pay attention to before choosing an air humidifier for your apartment:
- Square. A model designed for a standard 25 square meters of children’s room or a more powerful unit for humidifying the entire apartment is suitable.
- Company manufacturer. It is better to trust well-known, proven brands.
- Safety. Ultrasound devices are unrivaled here.
- Practicality. The best option here is an ultrasonic one, although a steam device can also be considered.
- Number of additional options (remote control, built-in hygrometer, display, etc.).
- Price. Depends on the type of model and functionality.
- Clear documentation for maintenance and operation.
Dr. Komarovsky’s recommendations boil down to the fact that the humidifier model (steam or ultrasonic) does not play a significant role in organizing the humidity regime in the children’s room. The main thing is that the device constantly performs its functions in conjunction with mandatory ventilation of the premises.
Source: https://ventkam.ru/vozduh/uvlazhnenie/uvlazhnitel-dlya-detej
Air humidifier reviews benefits and harms
Without a doubt, the humidity in the room is a fairly significant factor, especially for a home with small children. Every parent wants only the best for their child, but, unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a father or mother with good intentions to cause harm to the child without knowing it.
But be careful: While humidifiers are indeed helpful, humidifiers can actually hurt you if they are not maintained properly or if the humidity level remains too high. If you use humidifiers, be sure to monitor your humidity levels and keep your humidifier clean. Or bacteria. If you have allergies or asthma, talk to your doctor before using a humidifier.
Humidifiers are devices that produce water vapor or vapor to increase the level of humidity in the air. Central humidifiers are built into a home's heating and air conditioning systems and are designed to humidify the entire home. Vaporizers use a fan to blow air through a wet wick, filter, or belt. Steam evaporators use electricity to create steam, which is cooled before leaving the machine. Avoid this type of humidifier if you have children; The hot water inside this type of humidifier can cause burns if it spills.
- Ultrasonic humidifiers produce cool mist with ultrasonic vibration.
- Impeller humidifiers create a cool mist with a rotating disc.
Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air.
Before you run to the store for a humidifier, you need to determine whether you need it in your home? It is necessary to understand why it is necessary to additionally saturate oxygen with water? Where does natural moisture disappear from the air? As it turned out, in a modern home there are two sources that can dry out the air - an air conditioner and a heater.
In a room, the concept of “relative air humidity” is applicable, which determines the amount of water contained per volume of oxygen. Back at school we were told that in warm air the capacity of water is much higher than in cold air. Therefore, when you turn on the heater, the temperature rises and along with it the same capacity increases, and the relative humidity value decreases.
The result is insufficient humidity in the room. If you use an air conditioner, the room temperature decreases, thereby increasing the air humidity, after which excess water is removed from the room by the air conditioner. It is this moisture that drips from the drainage pipe coming out of the wall of your apartment.
So, it turned out that there is a need to use humidifiers, since during the operation of heating and cooling devices, the humidity in the room is disturbed. So how can you humidify the air at home without causing harm to your health? In the vastness of the Internet you can find many reviews of dissatisfied users of such devices. They claim the following:
Maxim:
We purchased this device, after which we noticed that the child began to get sick more often. When it came to bronchitis, we immediately decided to give it up.” It’s not surprising, because high air humidity is considered an ideal environment in which pathogenic organisms like to develop. And if, in addition to this, there is also an elevated temperature in the room, then this is another favorable factor for bacteria. As we mentioned earlier, the humidity level must be carefully monitored, as well as the temperature level. It is best to purchase a hygrometer and monitor this indicator in the room, avoiding oversaturation of the air with water.
Elizabeth:
In the summer, it becomes unbearably hot in your home if you use a humidifier. I decided to stop using it, it’s much better and easier to breathe without it.” In this question, a person most likely confuses the concepts of “stuffy” and “hot”. Remember that a humidifier cannot replace airing a room. In addition, in a room where the humidity level is higher, heat is much more difficult to tolerate. In this case, it will be more comfortable where the air is drier. Therefore, it is recommended to use a humidifier in the summer only in conjunction with an air conditioner in order to neutralize its effect on indoor humidity.
Is a humidifier helpful?
When discussing the benefits and harms of air humidifiers for an apartment, you should definitely pay attention to the opinions left on this subject by medical experts.
It is worth noting: most professionals claim that humidifiers bring great benefits to human health. Of the general range of advantages, it is certainly worth highlighting:
- minimizing the risk of asthma and rhinitis;
- elimination of excessive dryness of the respiratory and laryngeal tracts;
- maintaining the human immune system by suppressing the activity of harmful bacteria living in space;
- ensuring longer preservation of wooden objects that are present in the room;
- preventing skin peeling;
- creating favorable conditions for normal growth and development of plants.
Komarovsky’s reviews on the benefits and harms of air humidifiers note that the operation of this device helps to normalize and maintain eye health. This is expressed in eliminating dryness of their mucous membrane, as well as preventing itching and redness.
Ultrasonic air humidifier reviews benefits and harms
There is an opinion among the population that ultrasonic humidifiers are harmful because “dead” water comes out of them. It is not true. Ultrasound is not able to affect the structure of water. All this device does is affect the liquid with high-frequency waves that are inaudible to the human ear. However, there are also disadvantages to such devices. When using them at home, a salt coating may appear on the surfaces of furniture, household appliances and similar things.
This is due to the fact that this type of humidifier releases into the environment not only water molecules, but also the salts it contains, unlike steam humidifiers, which leave salt deposits inside the device. To avoid such negative effects, you just need to use distilled water. By the way, this information is indicated in the user manual that comes with the device.
How to choose the right humidifier
To ensure that a household appliance does not cause harm, but only benefit, when choosing a model, adhere to the following rules:
- Productivity must correspond to the volume of the room. You cannot take the device with a reserve.
- Electricity consumption depends on power. Steam models are considered the most energy-intensive.
- A working device should not make noise. The optimal level is allowed in the range of 34-40 dB.
- Compactness is not the best indicator of an evaporator. Small tanks will have to be refilled with water frequently. It is optimal to give preference to models with a capacity of 5 liters.
- Additional functions are chosen at your discretion. It is important to have a built-in hygrometer and hygrostat.
When the home assistant has been selected according to all parameters, you can pay attention to the design and find a model at an affordable price.
Are humidifiers harmful?
Let us turn to Komarovsky for an answer to this question. In his speech, he says that these devices can undoubtedly cause harm, but only if they are used incorrectly. Most often this is due to the fact that people do not study the instructions for the device they purchased. Each manual contains information about the need for periodic cleaning and disinfection of such devices. Otherwise, bacteria may begin to multiply in the liquid, and your room humidifier may become a breeding ground for infection in the house.
Using humidifiers for bronchitis
Medical experts claim that dry indoor air contributes to the occurrence and development of bronchitis. This is due to the fact that due to a lack of moisture, mucus clots begin to form in the bronchi, making breathing much more difficult.
By optimizing the level of air humidity in the room using a steam generator, you can notice how a person suffering from bronchitis dramatically improves. However, doctors assure that the permissible humidity level should not be exceeded, since in this case there is a high risk of developing pneumonia.
How to humidify the air in a room without a humidifier
You can increase the humidity in your apartment without the help of a humidifier. There are several simple but effective ways to do this:
- Place tanks filled with water throughout the apartment. These can be pots, jugs and vases, which will be much more inconspicuous and will not disturb the harmony of your interior.
- A more effective way is to place basins of liquid on the radiator. Thus, the water will evaporate much faster and the humidity in the room will increase faster than in the first case.
- You can build an air humidifier yourself using a fan (a cooler from a computer), which is built into a plastic container with water. Also, for better effect, this reservoir can be placed on the battery.
- Another great method to increase humidity is to dry clothes indoors. The water contained in the fabric fibers will evaporate and saturate the air in your home.
- Having indoor plants is also another natural humidifier. Indoor plants need regular watering. Water from the soil is not only used to feed them, but also largely evaporates into the environment.
Doctors' opinions on humidifiers
Medical advice on the benefits of an air humidifier boils down to the fact that every home should have the device. Dry air is not only harmful to health, but dangerous for it. In addition to the fact that the skin and mucous membrane suffer, dryness has a bad effect on the functioning of the heart.
As for the harm of a vaporizer, doctors also have a firm position. A strong concentration of moisture threatens the emergence of chronic diseases. Mold develops indoors, negatively affecting human health.