What is better: air washing or air humidification?
Most often, the air in the house dries out intensely due to the operation of the heating system. Ventilation does not help the situation. Special equipment will help increase the humidity level to comfortable values.
Many people consider an air washer and a humidifier to be equal devices. Both devices are designed to get rid of dry air. However, they differ in technical characteristics and capabilities.
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Air washer or room humidifier: which is better?
Air washing, unlike other similar equipment, works more gently. It does not create condensation on walls and interior items. Thanks to the cold evaporation method, the required amount of moisture accumulates in the air. In this case, liquid is taken at the molecular level without spraying droplets around the room.
Air flow comes out of the device without excessive waterlogging, so the operation of the device does not affect moisture-sensitive household appliances and furniture.
Every hour, using the built-in fan, the device manages to perform a double air exchange. Humidifiers spray damp mist throughout the room, so the distribution of air masses is uneven.
Moisture concentrates close to the device, but drier air is observed at a distance of 3–4 meters from it. During the filtration process, the washer additionally cleans the air from third-party allergens, such as wool, dust, pollen, house dust, and dust mites.
What is the difference between an air purifier and a humidifier?
A washer differs from a humidifier in its operating principle. Like drops of rain, it permeates the air, bringing tiny particles of dust to the ground. Due to the action of the fan, the humidified flow is evenly distributed throughout the room, so the feeling of dryness in the room quickly disappears. At the same time, the amount of moisture is maintained at the molecular level.
Important! The air entering the device is cleaned of small particles of dust and other contaminants. Large contaminants settle on the walls of the device, small ones - on the floor near it.
The moisture level in the room is maintained at an optimal level, and over-humidification does not occur. To prevent the accumulation of dangerous bacteria, fungi and other harmful microorganisms, equipment must be thoroughly washed frequently. In a house where allergy sufferers live, it is recommended to use an air purifier together with the sink. It will remove the smallest particles sifted out by the sink and ensure freshness and cleanliness.
How to choose a device depending on the type of room?
The air washer is selected according to the area of the room. The performance of the equipment is affected by the area of the plates in the drum, on which air exchange depends. When choosing a device, the power is selected with a small margin of about 5-10 square meters than the area of the room. The presence of several modes will reduce energy consumption.
It is better to choose a device that switches from day to night mode. Not all models have a separate compartment for aromatization. In budget devices, aromatic oils can be added directly to the tank.
Air washing: structural features and principle of operation
Air washing, due to constant recirculation, humidifies the air, further purifying it of small impurities. The room feels fresh and it becomes much easier to breathe. The air passes through a filter system that traps large dust particles, dirt and other particles. Such specks become heavier from exposure to water and settle directly in the tank. The degree of filtration depends on the filter capacity and the size of its cells. The washing power allows you to catch dust particles from hard-to-reach places.
Recirculation is supported by a built-in fan. It allows you to circulate the entire volume of air twice per hour. To avoid stagnation of masses in remote areas of the room, the power of the device must correspond to the area of the room. The sink does not have mode control or sensors to control the humidity level. Recirculation brings the humidification level closer to the natural level of approximately 50%. At the same time, moisture is not absorbed into walls, clothes, and does not settle on equipment and furniture.
Device functionality
The air washer captures large suspended particles up to 12 microns in size. The power of the device is designed to process 1-2 rooms or an entire apartment with an area of up to 100 m2. Productive equipment takes up quite a lot of space, so it is recommended that you first consider the optimal location for installation. There are devices with electronic, mechanical and touch control. Electronic equipment is considered the most reliable, and in touch-sensitive models, the panel that is sensitive to voltage changes often fails.
The size of the tank determines how long the washer will take before cleaning. A capacity of 7 liters is considered optimal. It is enough for a day of continuous operation, provided that the flow rate does not exceed 300 ml per hour.
What types of air washers are there?
The range includes models from various manufacturers. The user can choose a compact device that will fit perfectly into the interior of the room.
There are two types of sinks: with the effect of a water bath and with a hydrofilter. The first type of device evaporates water, which collects on special disks in the form of a film during their rotation. The smallest particles of water quickly evaporate under the influence of the fan.
The second type of sink passes air through a special water curtain created by rotating a conical rod in the central part of the tank. Such devices are less noisy in operation; the volume depends on the quality and degree of wear of the fan.
Sinks differ in the number of additional options. For thorough air purification, devices with a pre-ionization option are ideal.Thanks to the bactericidal coating, they do an excellent job not only of large particles of debris in the air, but also remove all kinds of allergens. Models with photocatalytic filters are suitable for the kitchen. They are able to eliminate any unpleasant odors in the room: from burnt food, tobacco smoke, pets.
Popular models of air washers for home
The Boneco 2055D model is a device that simultaneously purifies and disinfects air. It is rated for 50m2 and is able to remove house dust, dust mites and pet hair. Thanks to the silver ionizing rod, the water is purified from pathogenic bacteria and viruses. All contaminants are collected on the plate drum. The LED display displays the current and set humidity parameters, setting and control is push-button.
Stadler Form Robert - a powerful device designed for 80m2. Air is passed through a rotating washing drum, which cleans the stream from dirt, saprophytic mites, dust and pet hair. The sink stands out among its analogues with the most powerful air injection, which increases cleaning efficiency. The device is equipped with touch controls and is started by gestures.
AiRTe AW-615 increases the humidity level to the required value in the shortest possible time thanks to its built-in heating. The carbon filter captures particles up to 0.3 microns in size, and additionally purifies the air from foreign odors. Unlike other models, the washing drum must be disassembled for effective cleaning. Current and set humidity indicators are displayed on the LED display, the control panel is Russified.
Air humidifier: how it works and what features it has
A humidifier, like a washer, is designed to evaporate water, but its operating principle is different. The classic device drives air currents through a damp cartridge with a fan, quickly humidifying the air. The equipment does not have humidity level control sensors, so the check must be carried out independently using special measuring equipment.
The entire range of devices has a minimum number of settings; the maximum operating time usually does not exceed 12 hours. Ultrasonic and steam models create a mist of tiny water droplets that humidifies the room. In this case, the highest level of humidity will always be in the immediate vicinity of the device. It is impossible to adjust it using the device settings. Many ultrasonic models are not suitable for using aromatic oils.
Types of humidifiers for home
A classic humidifier is equipped with replaceable filters through which air flows. Only the largest particles of dust and debris floating in the air settle on the cartridge. The device is quite noisy, so it is not recommended to turn it on at night in a recreation area.
Ultrasonic devices create steam on a piezoelectric membrane under the influence of vibrations created by ultrasound. It is suitable both in living rooms and in rooms that require a higher level of humidity. The device is capable of increasing humidity up to 80%. It operates silently, making it suitable for bedrooms and children's rooms. The equipment is sensitive to water quality.
Steam models humidify the air most intensively by heating the water. Many devices have containers for aromatizing oils.The water level in the device is controlled by a sensor, which eliminates overheating of the equipment and operation with an empty tank. Some models are equipped with a hygrostat to control the degree of humidification.
Humidifier Benefits
Dry air dehydrates the body, as a result of which health deteriorates, and the skin becomes wrinkled faster. A humidifier intensively saturates the room with moisture, making it easier to breathe. This helps reduce respiratory diseases during the heating season, the skin does not dry out.
Important! A positive effect is achieved with moderate use of the device. The humidifier is especially useful for people suffering from diseases of the respiratory system, hypotension and hypertension, and allergies.
Humidified air reduces the risk of spreading infections and reduces the likelihood of dermatological diseases. The humidifier has a beneficial effect on the quality of furniture and prevents it from drying out and becoming deformed. Plants grow better in a room with optimal humidity; the leaves do not dry out from lack of moisture.
Top 3 air humidifiers for apartments
Stadler Form Jack J-020/021 is an ultrasonic device operating in cold and steam humidification mode. Hot steam destroys germs and harmful microorganisms mechanically, and the ionic cartridge purifies the water from bacteria in the tank. Additionally, demineralization of water is carried out. The device is silent and suitable for children's rooms.
Philips HU 4802 saturates the air with water molecules using ultrasound. Thanks to Nano Cloud technology, humidified streams are evenly distributed throughout the room, while water droplets do not settle on interior items. The user can set the humidity level within 40–60%.The filter is designed for 3 months of intensive use. The device is suitable for humidifying the rooms of newborns.
Ballu UHB-310 2000 r – ultrasonic model with a 3-liter tank. The device is not demanding on the quality of water, so you can fill it from the water supply. A set of filters softens water and removes excess salts. The humidifier removes large particles of dust and dirt. The equipment is designed for 40 m2.
What is healthier for a home where children live – a washer or a humidifier?
Air washers, unlike humidifiers, quickly saturate the air with moisture to an optimal level. They are suitable for apartments and houses where children prone to allergies live. The devices perfectly remove animal hair, pollen, and dust from the air. Models with the ionization option additionally filter the smallest particles of contaminants by attracting debris with static electricity.
Important! Sinks are suitable for large rooms. They are able to adjust the humidity in the entire apartment. The devices are not demanding on water quality and do not require monitoring during the day. The equipment can be installed in any room, so its operation will not interfere with the baby’s sleep in the nursery.
Classic type humidifiers are noisier in operation. The increased volume is created by a fan located at the top of the case. Thanks to natural evaporation, they do not over-humidify the air, maintaining an optimal level.
The equipment does not remove allergens and small dust particles. The device has no visible steam, so the child will not show interest in its operation. Ultrasound machines are silent, making them suitable for children's rooms.
Important! It is recommended to additionally control the amount of moisture with a hygrometer.Additional options for ionization and aromatization allow you to effectively fight viral infections in the home. Ultrasonic frequencies do not affect the child’s health. It is recommended to install the humidifier on a shelf or bedside table away from the bed.
When choosing a humidifier and air washer, it is recommended to pay attention to the performance of the equipment and the availability of additional options. If you need to maintain an optimal microclimate throughout the house, it is better to pay attention to air washers. The humidifier is suitable for occasional use. Thanks to its compact size, it can easily be moved to another room.
