10 tips for choosing a humidifier

Despite the variety of models, all humidifiers have a standard set of functions:

1. Performance.The size of the apartment that the device can serve depends on this criterion. Judging by user reviews, a humidifier with a capacity of 300 to 400 ml / h is enough for a room up to 30 m2 in size. Powerful devices are able to work on apartments up to 70 m2 (large two-room apartment). The productivity of such devices reaches 500-600 ml/h. Some people buy humidifiers "for growth", but this leads to excessive energy consumption.
2. Power. Performance is directly related to power. The correct combination of these characteristics affects the cost of operating the humidifier. The more additional functions the model has, the higher the power indicators. Consequently, the amount of energy consumed increases. Average values ​​for most humidifiers range from 30 to 35W without the inclusion of additional features.
3. Noise level. When the air is dry, the humidifier will run for hours (especially in winter). It depends on the noise level how comfortable it is to arrive in the same apartment with a working device. The best models make almost no sound, allowing you to watch TV, chat and even sleep with the device turned on. The standard noise level in humidifiers is 25 dB (quiet whisper).
4. Filter type. The effectiveness of the purifier depends on the quality of the filter. If the degree of demineralization is low, then allergens and infection can get into the air along with the steam. For this reason, ion filters have recently gained popularity. Judging by the reviews, they not only moisturize, but also soften the microclimate. A high-quality humidifier is able to remove inorganic mixtures from the air, including magnesium salts.

Steam humidifiers with the principle of hot evaporation are very popular. Water is heated by electrodes, reaches the desired temperature and turns into steam, saturating the air. Hot particles kill harmful microbes and bacteria, while they do not have a negative effect on humans.

One of the positive aspects of such a device is the possibility of strong air humidification - from 60%. Productivity is up to 700 ml / h, one model is enough for huge rooms. Many have an indicator of the amount of water in the tank, some humidifiers stop working when the minimum is reached. When buying, it is important to take into account the design of the model - the design must be stable so that the device does not turn over, pouring out all the liquid.

These devices do not have nozzles that can become clogged. There are no filters that require regular replacement. They do not need to be constantly filled with distilled water, which leaves a salty coating.

Most steam humidifiers are made from heat-resistant plastic that is resistant to hot liquids. It is recommended to check the protection system of the device: for example, if the lid is not closed tightly, the device will not turn on. When complete evaporation, the unit should stop working. Steam humidifiers do not require cartridges or filters, are easy to operate and are relatively inexpensive.

Due to their high power and low cost, these devices are installed in greenhouses, greenhouses and winter gardens. They create a tropical microclimate favorable for many plants. For the same reason, they are less often used in apartments and houses. The power is so high that in a short period of time the air will become too humid, as if before a rain.

Ultrasonic humidifiers have appeared relatively recently thanks to modern technology. They are considered the perfect type of device, which has practically no disadvantages. Devices create high-frequency vibrations, turning water into an invisible cloud. The fan in the humidifier sucks in dry air that passes through the humidified environment. Cold mist enters the room. Such a device is absolutely safe, it is impossible to burn yourself with steam. They are recommended for an inquisitive child who wants to turn the "toy".

The strengths of these humidifiers are:

1. The device automatically turns on and off according to the state of the hygrostat, maintaining the humidity at the set level.
2. Comes with a filter cleaner. It rids the water of minerals and mixtures containing salt. This protects furniture and walls from white plaque. One filter lasts for three months, but the service life depends on the degree of contamination and water hardness.
3. If the liquid in the tank ends, the device turns off. It is very useful to leave it on when no one is in the apartment. Ultrasonic humidifiers are virtually silent and often have a rotating spout. The user himself chooses in which direction to direct the steam.

More expensive models are equipped with a room humidity indicator, a rotary knob and touch buttons. These features are optional, but add to the cost of the device. Some can even be controlled from your phone via an app.

The main disadvantage of these humidifiers is the price. In addition to the initial cost, you will have to regularly buy filters, clean the tanks and purchase batteries.If the price is not an important factor for the buyer, an ultrasonic humidifier will be the best choice.

Cold evaporation humidifiers, which can still be found in stores, were the first to appear on the market. The user fills in ordinary water, it falls on the special elements of the device. The fan sucks in the air in the house and drives it through the liquid in the tank. The microclimate in the room is gradually changing, especially near the device.

These humidifiers are very energy efficient, quiet and require little maintenance. They have a minimal set of functions, do not have a humidistat (you cannot set the degree of humidity) and will work until the user turns off the power. Buyers in the reviews are advised to put classic humidifiers next to the batteries and in places where air circulates. Then the level of evaporation will increase, the room will be saturated with vapors and cleaned of dirt, dust and microparticles. Even wet cleaning will not give such a result as a quality device.

It is recommended to buy devices with a transparent tank or a full indicator in order to add water in time. The best models have antibacterial cassettes that destroy harmful organisms. Cartridges need to be changed every few months.

Classic humidifiers are great for home and office use. They are absolutely safe (the water in the tank remains cold) and are placed even in children's rooms. The only big drawback is the limitation of humidity (about 60%), so they are not suitable for greenhouses and conservatories, as well as for any place where a tropical climate is needed.

In a standard apartment, a classic device can solve the problem of dry air, especially in winter. In summer, the effect is almost imperceptible. In winter, the air has a high relative humidity, so when it enters the room, it greatly changes the microclimate. This affects the condition of the respiratory tract and contributes to the spread of infection. A quality cold humidifier solves all these problems.

Not so long ago, devices appeared on the market that combine a humidifier and a purifier to destroy harmful particles, bacteria and impurities from the room. They work by applying several technologies: air enters the fan, then goes to the evaporator. Humidified, it returns to the room in the form of steam.

The cleaning function is represented by one or more filters for various purposes. For example, for a child, parents buy anti-allergic cartridges that trap plant pollen and harmful particles. The air enters the evaporator, passes through the filters and leaves dirt, dust, tobacco smoke and an unpleasant odor in the water. Some humidifiers have an additional ionization function.

Such devices are larger than usual and require caution during use. It is recommended to purchase the device with handles in order to carry it and the electronic system from place to place. Periodically, you will have to change filters, batteries and other consumables. The fluid reservoir gets dirty regularly, it is important to wash it monthly with hot water and soap.

Such humidifiers are installed in houses, apartments and offices, but they are especially popular in rooms with extraneous odors and a lot of dust.The standard instrument consists of a system of plastic discs, so it must not be dropped. When transporting, it is important to be careful with filters, which are also easily damaged.

Despite the disadvantages, modern humidifiers have a lot of advantages:

• several degrees of power (day and night, depending on the permissible noise level);
• ease of use;
• air humidification to the desired level;
• destruction of bacteria, harmful substances and odors.

The standard limit for room humidity is 60%, but there are more powerful devices that increase the value to 70-80%.

When choosing a model, it is important to look at the availability of consumables and their cost. It happens that a relatively inexpensive humidifier requires regular replacement of cartridges and reservoirs, which will have to be ordered from another country. At the same time, steam and classic devices do not have consumables at all and are the easiest to use.

Most high-tech humidifiers have one filter to evaporate the liquid. It is enough to replace it twice a year if the buyer uses purified or very soft water (passed through special systems, boiled or distilled). If you fill in the one that flows from the tap, the filter will become dirty in 2 months of regular operation. The cost of one cartridge is about 350 rubles.

Ultrasonic humidifiers have many more filters and additionally require replacement of the ion exchange resin. One pack costs about a thousand rubles, you will have to buy more several times a year. If the water is of poor quality, the resin will run out in 3-4 months.

When there is only one filter in the ultrasonic humidifier, then distilled water is used (in extreme cases, boiled). Using a different liquid will greatly reduce the life of the device. In any case, such humidifiers imply regular costs for materials.

Appliances with a washing and cleaning function require a lot of money. They have several different cartridges installed that get dirty every couple of months. For example, a HEPA filter that traps allergens and dust needs to be changed once a season. The one that eliminates unpleasant odors needs to be renewed every 3 months. On average, the cost of such humidifiers is 2 thousand rubles every six months.

Aromatherapy is the addition of essential oils to a water tank and then diffused as steam. The smell spreads evenly throughout the room, so many users find it a great idea to use a humidifier for this purpose. However, not every model is safe to use in this way, some can simply be ruined.

Manufacturers categorically do not advise adding oils to:

• ultrasonic;
• steam;
• traditional humidifiers.

These models cannot be disassembled and cleaned from the inside of oils, as the case is made of a piece of plastic. Filters and membranes will remain dirty, which will immediately affect the efficiency of work, and eventually lead to failure. The only thing that manufacturers allow is to drop a little oil on the steam outlet.

Humidifiers with an air washer function are allowed to be used for aromatherapy if all compartments are immediately washed with soap and water. There are also special devices with a compartment for oils.It is convenient to remove and easy to wash, but such devices are much more expensive and do not humidify the air as effectively.

Air ionization is the creation of air ions in a room. According to research, there are more of them in nature than in city apartments and houses. Now the air is much more polluted due to industrial enterprises and a huge number of cars. Indoors, its quality is affected by computers, televisions and other equipment. A humidifier-ionizer is able to make the air the same as it is in a forest or near a village pond.

Inside the device are special electrodes under high voltage. They emit air ions that interact with oxygen and ionize it. Often this feature is presented as an absolute plus, improving health and giving restful sleep. However, the effectiveness directly depends on who is in the room with the humidifier. Before making the final choice, you need to learn about the negative properties of air ions:

1. If the device works in a room where there is a person with any viral disease (or there are already appropriate molecules there), then they are more likely to get to healthy people by airborne droplets. Ionized air spreads infections much faster than normal dry air.
2. Such a microclimate harms people with high temperatures. It speeds up metabolism, warming up the body and worsening the condition of the patient.
3. Air ions stimulate metabolism and can provoke sluggish diseases. Humidifiers with ionization are not allowed to be installed in case of oncology. It is better to consult with your doctor.
4. Air ions load the respiratory system more than ordinary air.This complicates the course of asthma and some other diseases.
5. Many people are not even aware of their intolerance to air ions (or hypersensitivity). Before buying, it is recommended to check the seller's warranty obligations and return the goods if it is uncomfortable to breathe in ionized air.
6. A child under one year old or people after operations do not need additional stress on the airways. They fit classic humidifiers.

There are several main criteria that you need to pay attention to when choosing a humidifier for a child:

• the power of the device depends on the size of the children's room;
• performance;
• the volume of the water tank (the larger it is, the less often it will be necessary to get and fill the device);
• very low noise;
• hygrometer;
• replacement filters and the possibility of their purchase;
• electricity consumption.

Children's humidifiers are often made of colored plastic in the form of various animals and cartoon characters. They do not have the same set of features as appliances for other rooms, and are much cheaper.

One of the main indicators is the silence of the humidifier. However, the noise cannot be checked without turning on the device. It is recommended to choose a trusted manufacturer with good warranty conditions. For example, in reviews, buyers trust Electrolux, Redmond, Boneco and Philips. Humidifiers in the form of animals and fairy-tale characters are available from Ballu (model UHB-275 E), Crane (EE-6369) and Royal Clima (RUH-MR200). At the same time, a small noise level is even useful for infants, because it helps them fall asleep.

The Russian pediatrician Komarovsky Evgeny Olegovich deduced several important criteria that you need to pay attention to when buying a humidifier:

• regular use of the device;
• safety;
• additional functions;
• quality and quantity of water.

Most modern humidifiers have several additional features. Judging by the reviews of parents, the child does not need sensors for determining humidity and air temperature. They show information in the place where the device is, and not next to the crib. As a result, the given parents get the wrong ones. Both of these functions are performed by separate portable devices.

There are several additional criteria that are suitable for a standard doctor-approved apartment:

1. A simple and inexpensive humidifier is enough for a child. It is recommended to avoid devices with hot steam and complex electrical equipment, especially if children can reach them. A traditional appliance will suit most rooms. Ultrasonic will be a good choice if you put it away from the child and change cartridges regularly.
2. It is ideal to take a compact humidifier with a capacious reservoir that can be left on all night.
3. If the appliance is placed next to a crib, the noise level should be below 24 dB. Many devices reach up to 40 dB and are not suitable for small children.

+3 Liked the article?