How to choose a humidifier

Air humidity is one of the most important indicators affecting human well-being. You can provide the humidity required for health (up to 60%) using a special household appliance - a humidifier.

Types and brief characteristics of devices

Modern industry has launched the production of various types of humidifiers. They have some functional differences. Knowing the features of different types of devices will help you make the right choice of device.

Traditional humidifiers

Traditional devices saturate the air with cold steam. During operation, the air mass accumulated in the room enters the unit. Passing through a wet filter, it is cleaned and filled with small droplets of moisture.After that, clean and humidified air is distributed throughout the room using a fan built into the device.

These easy-to-use humidifiers are attractive due to their low price and minimal energy consumption, although they require a long time to fully humidify. At the same time, regular filter replacement is required for reliable operation.

Important! Traditional humidifiers are not recommended for people who are sensitive sleepers or for children's rooms. A running fan creates noticeable noise.

Steam humidifiers

In steam devices, humidity is increased by spraying hot steam. Steam-type devices have a heating element that brings water poured into a container to a boil, and then turns it into a vapor state. Such devices are convenient for quick humidification, and no parts need to be changed during use. When purchased, these units are not expensive, but their operation consumes a lot of electricity.

Important! If steam devices are not turned off in a timely manner, hot steam can over-humidify the air, leading to a greenhouse effect. Therefore, they will bring the greatest benefit in a greenhouse, greenhouse, or winter garden.

Ultrasonic humidifiers

The most popular type of household humidifier is ultrasonic. In these devices, water turns into steam due to the vibrations of a special plate. The high vibration frequency breaks water droplets into tiny particles, which, under the influence of the built-in fan, fall from the humidifier into the room. Ultrasonic devices are safe, operate with minimal noise, and are easy to operate. The design includes a hygrometer that allows you to select automatic operating mode.

Important! Ultrasonic humidifiers are the most suitable for rooms where children are. Automatic settings also make them convenient in office spaces: the device independently controls and maintains the required humidity level.

Air washers

Special devices called air washers live up to their name. The air in them is purified using plastic discs that rotate in a container of water. During the “washing” process, dust and other contaminants (including odors) are washed away from the air mass. Clean air masses are returned to the room. Simultaneously with cleaning, the process of air humidification occurs.

Important! Devices that combine the functions of cleansing and moisturizing are designed for long-term use. In a short period of time, they will not make the air sufficiently humid; if turned on for a long time, they effectively perform work in any room.

Climate complexes

Multifunctional devices related to “smart” technology - These are climatic complexes. They are more expensive than other devices, but they take care of creating a healthy microclimate in the room and do this job in full. Climate control systems purify the air not only from dust and unpleasant odors, but also get rid of dust mites and harmful microorganisms. At the same time, the purified air is humidified to the required level. Climate control systems are high-tech devices equipped with sensitive sensors for air analysis and selection of the required operating mode.

Important! Climate control systems require additional costs for replacing several filters (carbon, water, HEPA fine filters).

Parameters for choosing a humidifier for an apartment

When choosing a humidifier, you need to take into account not only the type of device, but also the specific conditions in which it will be used.

Installation method

When purchasing a humidifier, you should determine in advance the possible installation location: on the floor or on another surface.

Floor arrangement

Units that have large weight and dimensions are installed on the floor, for example, combined climate control devices or devices that clean air masses in the room.

Advice! Floor-standing appliances are best used in large rooms with a lot of free space. In small areas filled with furniture, as well as in children's rooms, such devices will be inconvenient.

Desktop location

Most of the common humidifiers (traditional, steam, ultrasonic) are quite compact and light in weight. They can be installed both on the floor and on another surface: table, bedside table, shelf, window sill.

Reference! The higher the surface on which the humidifier is installed, the more efficient its operation: heavy humid air moves down and at the same time increases the humidity in the room.

Type of filter installed in the device

When purchasing a humidifier, you need to pay attention to whether the device is equipped with a filter. Such units not only moisturize, but at the same time make the atmosphere cleaner. Manufacturers use different types of filters for their units. The quality and degree of purification depends on their properties and the qualities of the filter.

For pre-cleaning

Simple filtration and removal of large particles from the air are carried out. It is not possible to catch harmful microorganisms.

Electrostatic

They refresh the room, ridding it of stagnant odors and dust; toxic substances remain inaccessible to this type. Most air washers are equipped with electrostatic cartridges.

Plasma

Close to electrostatic filters in functionality. They differ from them in the speed of cleaning. Plasma filters will clean the same area 10 times faster than electrostatic ones.

Coal

Reliable filters, often found in climate control systems. They remove unpleasant odors, gradually eliminating even the persistent tobacco odor.

NERA

Filter from the fine filter group. As a result of the operation of climate control systems with HEPA filters, 99% of pollutants and harmful substances are removed from the atmosphere. Guaranteed removal of allergens, dust mites and bacteria.

ULPA

Another fine filter, which exceeds HEPA in efficiency (99.9%).

Anti-allergenic

The special capabilities of anti-allergy filters are appreciated by people suffering from allergic reactions. These filters neutralize the harmful effects of fungal formations and mold that appears in the room, and carry out antibacterial and antiviral cleaning.

Ceramic

They purify the water that is poured into the humidifier’s container, ensuring that the room is filled with clean steam.

Photocatalytic

Multifunctional filters that combine an accelerated atmosphere purification procedure with ultraviolet treatment.

Water consumption

The ease of use of the device largely depends on how often you have to fill the device’s tank with water. Therefore, it is necessary to check in advance how much water the humidifier will need to operate in a specific area, and also determine how many times the tank will need to be topped up.

• Small containers (4 - 5 l) are optimal for rooms with an area of ​​10 to 15 sq.m.
• Medium containers (6 or 7 l) are suitable for rooms from 30 to 40 sq.m.
• Devices with large-volume containers (7–9 liters or more) are installed in spacious rooms from 50 to 60 sq.m.

The volume of evaporated liquid depends on the type of household appliance:

• Traditional humidifiers evaporate from 4 to 8 liters per day;
• Steam appliances consume from 7 to 16 liters per day;
• Ultrasonic devices evaporate from 7 to 14 liters per day.

To calculate the maximum operating time of the device after completely filling the tank, you need to check in the instructions for the specific device how much water is consumed per hour. By dividing the amount of water poured into the hourly evaporation, you can find out how long the liquid poured into the container will last.

Operation volume

Another important parameter of the device’s operation is the noise level it produces. The loudness comes from the running motor (engine); the built-in fan becomes an additional source of noise. Manufacturers indicate the noise level in the technical specifications of the device.

The minimum noise that occurs when humidifiers operate is 5 dB, the maximum is up to 55 dB. The quietest currently are ultrasonic devices, the noisiest are traditional types.

Reference! For residential premises, sounds ranging from 30 dB at night (from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) to 40 dB during the day (from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) are considered the norm.

Control method

According to the control method, all humidifiers are divided into 2 groups.

• Mechanically controlled devices. Designs with simple control design are inexpensive. Their operating hours and hours are set by the owners.

• Electronically controlled devices

The electronic control system has a more complex system, which uses a variety of sensors, indicators, and display. Such devices are more expensive, but they allow you to set up an automatic control mode. Based on the analysis, the design will select the required mode.

Availability of additional functions

In addition to humidifying and purifying the atmosphere, depending on the configuration, humidifiers can perform additional functions:

• scent the room with aromatic oils;
• ionize the air for more thorough cleaning of the room;
• ozone the premises to destroy viruses and bacteria;
• treat the room with ultraviolet light for additional disinfection.

Manufacturers produce designs in basic and advanced configurations: with timers, hygrometers, temperature sensors. Additional equipment increases the price of devices.

Models and companies producing humidifiers

Premium class

Firm Stadler Form, Switzerland is one of the leaders in the production of premium devices for improving the climate in residential premises.

• Traditional devices. Traditional models with additional purification from the Oskar series (Original, Big, Little), suitable for work in rooms from 30 to 100 sq.m., are very popular.
• Steam models. The efficient design (Fred) will quickly increase the humidity in the room without leaving whitish water marks on things and furniture.
• Ultrasonic devices. Stylish devices with ultrasonic humidification (Eva, Anton, Julia (with aromatization), Poseidon, Jack, Atlas) fit well into any interior, operate quietly and reliably.

Budget models

• NeoClima known for high-quality and inexpensive (about 1 - 3 thousand rubles) ultrasonic devices created on the basis of high technology.
• Ballu has proven itself well among customers. They are attracted by a large selection of ultrasonic models that are easy to operate, efficiently humidify the air, and can fill it with pleasant aromas. The price of budget models is about 5–6 thousand rubles.
• Philips — one of the most popular manufacturers of household appliances. A large place among its products is occupied by devices for increasing humidity. Traditional models from Philips can be purchased for 6-6.5 thousand rubles.

Tips for choosing humidifiers for a child's room

• We determine how safe the device is in a children's room. We give preference to ultrasonic models that do not produce hot steam that is dangerous to the child.
• We check if there are any parts on the body that a child can easily disconnect.
• We evaluate the product design. For rooms with small children, it is advisable to purchase discreet mechanisms that do not make children want to play with them.
• For maximum benefit, choose a device that has a hygrometer, hygrostat, and automatic mode settings.
• Purchasing a humidifier is the way to a healthy lifestyle for the whole family.