With the arrival of cold weather, the question of creating a favorable microclimate in residential premises arises. Proven methods that do not require additional costs will help to humidify the air in the room without buying a humidifier. The implementation of some of the recommendations is combined with work on the farm.
- Microclimate standards
- Why is the air in the apartment dry
- The harm of dry air
- General well-being
- Eyes
- Respiratory system
- Skin and hair
- Newborn's room
- Air humidification methods
- Airing
- Cleaning
- Drying washed laundry
- Containers with water
- Sprayers
- Aquarium
- Decorative fountain
- Houseplants
- Household appliances with humidification function
Microclimate standards
Currently, on the territory of Russia, the main regulatory document governing the design, construction and maintenance of premises is SP (Code of Rules) 60.13330.2016. It is called "Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning". The text provides definitions of the optimal and acceptable air quality for residential and industrial buildings.
With optimal parameters, a person is comfortable in a room, there are no factors hazardous to health.
Acceptable characteristics determine the qualities at which a person will maintain health, but the sensations from being in an apartment or a private house will not be pleasant.
Quantitative values are specified in GOST 30494-2011. “Residential and public buildings. Indoor microclimate parameters ".
To the critical parameters of clause 4.2. GOST include:
- temperature;
- speed of movement of air streams;
- relative humidity.
The table shows the exact characteristics for various premises.
| Appointment of the room | Temperature, ºС | Relative humidity,% | ||
| Optimal | Permissible | Optimal | Permissible | |
| Living room | 20 – 22 | 20 – 24 | 45 – 30 | 60 |
| Kitchen, toilet | 19 – 21 | 18 – 26 | No norm | No norm |
| Rooms for study and rest | 20 – 22 | 20 – 24 | 45 – 30 | 60 |
The humidity indicator is not standardized for pantries, bathrooms, lobbies. The characteristics are applicable only for premises with a long (more than 2 hours) uninterrupted stay of people.
In summer, the microclimate is standardized only for living rooms:
- optimal temperature - 22 - 25 ºС;
- permissible - 20 - 28 ºС;
- optimal relative humidity - 60 - 30%;
- permissible - 65%.
If the temperature affects a person's well-being and a sense of comfort, deviations in moisture content in the air entail health risks.
Why is the air in the apartment dry
In the warm season, there is no need to worry about humidity in the house, an increased amount of water in the air leads to discomfort.
In winter, the indicator drops sharply and usually in city apartments does not exceed 20 - 25%, which is lower than the indicators required by GOST.
All apartment buildings are equipped with ventilation systems that provide multiple changes of air in the room - dirty air is removed through the ventilation system, new one comes from the street when ventilated, through window inlet valves, gaps in doors and window frames.
For example, at an indoor temperature of 20 ºС in the air, according to the norms, there should be an average of 5 to 8 grams. water.
The usual indicators of winter, for example, at minus 15 degrees - 80% humidity. Consequently, the air contains only 1.1 grams. moisture.
Outside air, entering the room for ventilation and mixing with the room air, sharply reduces the humidity indicator.The process takes place continuously throughout the cold months.
The harm of dry air
In most regions of the country, in winter, when the heating is turned on, the humidity in the premises decreases - the indicator is in the range of 18 - 25%. With prolonged daily exposure to such conditions, many biological systems of a person suffer.
General well-being
Doctors note that when humidity is below normal, fatigue quickly sets in, muscle tone decreases, and immunity ceases to cope with pathogens.
An unacceptable microclimate has the greatest harm on children, elderly residents of apartments and people with respiratory diseases.
Eyes
In a normal state, the surface of the eyes is covered with a thin layer of tears, which washes away dust particles and pathogens.
In a dry room, tears dry out quickly - protection decreases, which leads to irritation of the cornea, and the syndrome of "dry eye" appears.
Respiratory system
The mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and bronchi must always be kept moist for self-cleaning. This prevents infections from entering the body.
Winter indoor air dries out the surface of the nasopharynx and bronchi, which reduces the body's defenses. Dry mucous membranes can lead to nosebleeds.
Skin and hair
Low humidity in a room is detrimental to skin health. The greatest harm occurs to exposed parts of the body: the face and hands. Microcracks appear on the surface, which opens the way for infections. Inflammation and irritation appear.
Lack of moisture negatively affects hair, making it brittle and dull. It is in winter that dandruff is a problem for many people.
Newborn's room
A newborn's room requires special attention.
The mechanisms of thermoregulation and adaptation to the microclimate in a child are not yet tuned to work correctly. The responsibility to adapt to environmental conditions lies with the baby's parents.
The microclimate parameters in the room with the newborn must be maintained throughout the day - there should be no sharp jumps.
For accurate measurement of temperature and humidity, it is necessary to purchase thermometers-hygrometers. The price of a digital device does not exceed 80 - 100 rubles.
Air humidification methods
The easiest and fastest way to increase the humidity in an apartment is to buy specialized appliances.
Taking into account the price of humidifiers, pensions and salaries, this method is not always possible. In addition, it is necessary to purchase a fixture for each room, which will require additional costs.
Humidifiers are needed in severe cases, when it is impossible to achieve an effect using "free" methods. In most apartments, you can improve performance on your own. Simple, handy methods are suitable for this.
At 100% humidity for a temperature range of 10 to 30 ° C, the air contains the same amount of water as the room temperature. For example, at 15 ° C, the maximum amount of water will be 12.8 g / m3.
To ensure 40% humidity, it is enough to additionally spray 5 g. water per cubic meter of space. It is a little and can be solved without special devices.
Airing
Often on the Internet it is advised to increase the humidity of the air by means of ventilation. This method does not work in winter.
At negative temperatures, even at 100% humidity, there is much less water in the outdoor air than in room conditions. Thus, letting frosty air into the apartment, the situation can only worsen.
Cleaning
Regular wet cleaning is the easiest and most effective way to improve the microclimate. Moreover, the method "works" automatically.
For an average room of 18 m2 with a ceiling height of 2.5 m, the volume will be 45 m3.At a temperature of 20 degrees for a favorable humidity of 40%, 280 grams is needed. water. Considering that in winter conditions the water content is approximately equal to 20%, evaporation is 140 gr. liquid used for cleaning will create the desired microclimate parameter for several hours.
Drying washed laundry
Another way to increase the humidity is to dry the laundry near the radiator or air heater. Take into account the surface temperature of the heating device - the fabric can burn and stick to the surface.
It is forbidden to cover electric heaters with things. An increase in temperature under the “blanket” leads to frequent off-on cycles of the device or may cause a fire.
Containers with water
Another easy way is to place containers filled with water in each room. Choose plates, saucers, and other items with a large evaporation area. Water is added as it evaporates, about two to three times a week.
In household goods stores, you can buy special containers designed for installation or hanging on central heating radiators.
To improve the effect, a soft cloth wick is dipped into the water.
Sprayers
Sprayers make it easy to get comfortable conditions for life.
Humidification is combined with spraying indoor plants.
For efficient evaporation, several jets can be directed towards the radiator.
Aquarium
Installation in an aquarium room can partially or completely solve the problem of increasing air humidity to the required values.
According to laboratory studies, at room temperature, up to 20 g of water per hour evaporate from an open surface of water, or about 500 g per day. The mirror area of household aquariums is about 0.3 m2, which is enough to increase the humidity in a medium-sized room.
The increased evaporation is facilitated by the switched on aerator and water heater of the aquarium.
Decorative fountain
A decorative fountain can become an element that decorates the interior and humidifies the air.
When choosing, it is important to take into account that moisture evaporates in open-type devices - water must come into contact with air.
Houseplants
The correct choice of plants will allow you to regulate the microclimate. Some plants humidify the air, others dry them.
Plants that can reduce indoor humidity:
- spathiphyllum;
- a coffee tree;
- myrtle;
- laurel noble;
- lemon.
These flora are best placed in damp rooms, such as kitchens. In the bedrooms, the listed plants will dry the air to unacceptable values.
For the purpose of moisturizing, you should choose flowers that need constant abundant watering. The water will evaporate from the pot and sump, as well as from the surface of the leaves.
To raise the humidity in the room can be:
- cyperus;
- cypress;
- sansevieria;
- ficus;
- cissus;
- Kalanchoe;
- calla lilies or calla lilies similar to them;
- eichornia;
- drooping reed;
- pontederia;
- calamus cereal.
Regular spraying and wiping of leaves with a damp cloth will increase air humidity.
Household appliances with humidification function
Some climatic appliances for the home, in addition to their main function, are capable of replacing a humidifier.
Air humidification in the apartment is facilitated by a fan with a water spray. In the summer, the device is turned on for a long time, the moisture in the air will cool the room. In winter, it is enough to turn on the fan for 10 - 15 minutes to achieve the desired result.
At temperatures down to -5 ° C, it is possible to use a split system with a humidification function to heat the air in the apartment.
In some types of fireplaces, water vapor illuminated by a red lamp is used to obtain a 3D flame effect. Models with an open hearth handle humidification easily.
