A sign of a healthy microclimate is the cleanliness, optimum temperature and humidity of the air inhaled by people. With the deterioration of its indicators, a person's state of health worsens, there is a headache, increased fatigue, and the risk of developing various diseases increases. By choosing the right humidifier for your home, these potential hazards can be minimized or eliminated. To make the right decision, you need to understand the types of air humidifiers for an apartment, their pros and cons, installation and operation features.
Appointment of air humidifiers for an apartment
Air humidifiers represent an extensive range of climate technology with a fairly diverse range of possibilities and applications. Modern devices are distinguished by their presentable appearance, high performance and efficiency, safety and ease of use. The products can be used in families with a child, elderly people, people suffering from allergic reactions and respiratory diseases.
Appointment of devices:
- Air humidification to optimal performance. Dryness in a room negatively affects the respiratory organs, furniture, green spaces.
- Dust cleaning. Contamination settles on the filters when air is pumped through the device. This reduces the risk of developing allergies and infectious diseases. This option is especially relevant in the autumn-winter period, when the human body becomes vulnerable to pathogenic viruses and bacteria.
- Aromatization of premises. Due to the circulation, pleasant smells spread throughout the room, creating a special feeling of comfort, coziness and good mood.
- Ionization. Due to the operation of high voltage electrodes, ions are formed that have a positive effect on the nervous system. A person's sleep improves, he becomes calm and peaceful.
Home air purifiers can have one, two or all of the listed options. The choice of a humidifier is made based on the specific living conditions and needs of each family.
Variety of models and working principle
On the Russian market of household appliances, various types of air humidifiers are presented, differing in such criteria as the principle of operation, power, performance, price and size. Studying the parameters of products will allow you to easily determine the optimal parameters, even if such a purchase is made for the first time.
Traditional
The principle of operation of traditional devices is to saturate the atmosphere of the room with moisture in a natural way. From the trays, water enters the mesh cartridges, which are blown by a fan, as a result of which the water evaporates.
Advantages:
- automatic adjustment;
- Beautiful design;
- good performance;
- the possibility of using flavors;
- safety in terms of burns.
Disadvantages:
- quite loud noise;
- the need for frequent replacement of cartridges;
- use only distilled water.
In terms of price-quality ratio, this type of air cleaner is considered one of the best.
Steam
Steam humidifiers are analogous to an electric kettle. The water located in the tank is in a low boiling state, and the produced steam goes out through the nozzles.
Benefits:
- the speed of humidifying a room, even a large area;
- water of any quality;
- additional option of the inhaler;
- the device is small, does not take up much space.
Disadvantages:
- loud sounds when generating steam;
- risk of getting burned, should not be placed in the nursery;
- quite a large consumption of electricity.
Steam appliances cannot be called universal, since they have significant restrictions for domestic use.
Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic humidifiers are the most popular among consumers of all categories today. The devices are quiet, compact, and have decent performance. Steam is generated by vibration of the part to which water enters. As a result, the smallest cold suspension is formed, filling the entire space of the room. The fog is completely harmless to people, plants, furniture and fabrics.
Advantages:
- regulation of the humidity level;
- operational safety;
- lack of noise during operation
- a set of additional functions;
- profitability;
- convenience of settings;
- compactness.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- the need for frequent cleaning of elements.
Silent ultrasonic humidifier is considered the most versatile and safest. If you take such a device for an apartment, you can be sure that the quality of air processing in it will meet all sanitary standards.
Combined
Such devices belong to the category of climatic complexes, since they combine several useful options. You can choose models that purify and humidify the air, have a built-in ionizer and fragrance. Options can work simultaneously or separately.
Advantages:
- ample opportunities;
- high quality air handling;
- low energy consumption;
- healing effect on the body;
- the ability to use in rooms of any type.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- complexity of service;
- using only clean water;
- the need for frequent replacement of consumables.
A high-quality and powerful combo is well worth the investment. They will pay off by reducing the cost of treatment and unscheduled repairs, time for cleaning the premises.
Air wash
In devices of this type, a system is installed, consisting of polymer disks of complex hydrodynamic shape, rotating in a reservoir with water. The air supplied to this system is saturated with moisture and cleared of impurities, which are washed off the discs into the drainage.
Advantages:
- enough power for a large room;
- high degree of cleaning and moisturizing;
- device reliability;
- simplicity of configuration and management.
Disadvantages:
- large dimensions;
- loud noise during work;
- frequent replacement of expensive filters;
- limited functions.
It is advisable to purchase air washers together with devices with ionization and aromatization functions in order to achieve optimal air condition.
Functions and characteristics of air humidifiers for an apartment
To buy the best humidifier for your home, you should familiarize yourself with the functions and capabilities that various types of appliances have. Comparison of technical characteristics, cost and operating features will help you make the right decision.
The main indicator of a device's functionality is its performance. It is determined by the area of the room in which the device can maintain the optimum humidity level. The average performance is 10 ml / h / m². For a room of 20 m², a device is required that evaporates 200 ml of water per hour. Consumption is calculated accordingly for large areas. If ventilation is properly organized in the apartment with the help of supply and exhaust openings and transfer grilles, it is enough to purchase one powerful device with a capacity of 500-600 ml / h, which will provide the required level of humidity in all rooms.
The next indicator is power. Most energy is consumed by steam evaporators, where the consumption can reach 0.25 kW / h. Ultrasonic, washing and traditional devices are considered more economical. They consume no more than 30 W / h even at maximum power.
Equally important for achieving a comfortable stay in an apartment is the level of noise produced by the device. Modern products emit no more than 20 dB, while for steam products this figure can reach 40-60 dB.
Criterias of choice
Before buying, you should familiarize yourself with the features of the device and maintenance of products, since the quality of humidification, air purification in the apartment and the cost of operating the device depend on this factor.
It is recommended to select humidifiers according to the following criteria:
- The type and number of filters. Carbon inserts are considered the most effective. They absorb unpleasant odors, trap pathogens and various impurities. An equally important role is played by intermediate filters that collect dust, wool, hair and small insects. Ultraviolet lamps eliminate all types of infection, and HEPA models trap virtually all contamination.
- Water consumption. The efficiency of humidification and the frequency of refueling of the device depend on this indicator. Different models vaporize 100-600 ml / h. Based on this, it is advisable to take devices designed for 12 hours of continuous operation in order to refuel them in the morning and in the evening. For a small device for a small room, a tank of up to 2000 ml is sufficient. For an apartment with internal ventilation, it is necessary to buy humidifiers with a 6-10 liter tank.
- Control. The sale includes products with mechanical and electronic control. Setting up devices is equally simple and straightforward, but electronic devices are more expensive. The presence of a display with indication helps to obtain information about the level of humidity, the degree of filter clogging and the remaining operating time. However, the presence of an alarm about the end of water may not please everyone, especially when a loud sound is heard at the time of rest of people.
- Additional functions. There are quite a few of them in modern devices, but not all are relevant in one case or another. Aromatherapy may not be suitable for all apartment residents, both in terms of odor tolerance and in terms of allergic reactions. The functions of ionization and ozonization are needed for people prone to infectious diseases.
- The presence of an ultraviolet lamp. It is a powerful and effective means of fighting disease-causing viruses, bacteria and other types of infection. In this case, the emitter is hidden inside the body, does not have a destructive effect on the organs of vision and interior items.
- Cost. The cheapest cost to the buyer will be traditional models, which can be taken for 4000-5000 rubles. Ultrasound will cost 7,000-14,000 rubles, and combined ones - up to 20,000 rubles. Here you need to take into account that you can save money by buying two narrow-focus devices, which will cost less than a similar in functionality climate technology.
- Ergonomics. It is not only about the appearance of the equipment, which must match the interior of the room. The product should be easy to disassemble and service.Attention should be paid to such functions as adjusting the direction of steam and the possibility of refueling without stopping and disassembling the device. You should also select a product according to the brightness of the display. At night, bright lights can interfere with proper rest.
The choice of the type of humidifier is made based on the needs of each family. Devices of the traditional type are considered the most optimal in all respects. They are characterized by high performance and simplicity of the device with low energy consumption. Moreover, the devices are absolutely safe.
When choosing between ultrasonic and steam humidifiers, the first type wins on all items except cost. However, steam products are more reliable, easier to maintain, and much cheaper to repair.
Rating of air purifiers for an apartment at the end of 2019:
- Xiaomi.
- Electrolux.
- Stadler Form.
- Boneco.
- Redmond.
- Ballu.
- Polaris.
- Philips.
- Venta.
- Beurer.
It is possible to count on the fact that the equipment will work correctly and for a long time only if it is purchased from an authorized dealer.
Installation features
Installation of humidifiers is not particularly difficult. Most of the equipment is produced in floor-standing design with the ability to install on tables, shelves and cabinets. This option may not suit everyone, so some manufacturers produce wall-mounted humidifiers.
Mounting is carried out on the brackets that come with the kit. If the device needs to be hung on a plasterboard wall, the fasteners are screwed to the inner frame, which in such cases serves as an installation.
