Which humidifier to choose: a detailed guide. Which air humidifier is better: how to choose the optimal device Which air humidifier for the home is better to choose

Before purchasing an air purifier, you should calculate its power, which is determined depending on the area of ​​the room. All models are sold with an indication of the serviced area, but you can make the calculations yourself. On average, the device can pass the entire volume of air in the room two to three times per hour. Multiply the volume of the room by two: the resulting figure should be no more than the “maximum air exchange” indicator. For example, if the volume of the room is 60 m3, then it is necessary to choose a device with a maximum air exchange of at least 120 m3.

Filter types

There are several types of filters for air purification.
Mechanical ones are used to remove large particles of dust, animal hair and other large fragments. The carbon filter is mainly installed as an additional one - it copes with most household contaminants and is effective in absorbing unpleasant odors, including tobacco smoke. HEPA type filters were developed for air treatment in medical institutions and belong to the category of fine filters: they are capable of retaining up to 99.995% of particles with a size of 0.3 microns. They exist in five classes, from H10 to H14 - the higher the numbers, the better the filtration quality. Such filters are made of fibrous material and cope well with pollen, bacteria, and construction dust. They only need to be changed once a year. An electrostatic filter uses the principle of attraction of charges of opposite polarities and “attracts” dust particles to special plates in an electrostatic field. It captures dust down to 0.01 microns well, but allows toxic pollutants to pass through. Such filters can be cleaned many times. The last type of filter is photocatalytic, and today it is the most effective against all types of pollution. It not only retains, but also decomposes and oxidizes harmful impurities - both toxic pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, as well as viruses and bacteria. The size of the captured particles is up to 0.001 microns and is almost equal to a molecule.

Additional functions

As is the case with air humidifiers, purifiers are also equipped with various add-ons - for example, an ionizer or a control panel. In more expensive models, indicators of the level of air pollution are installed, as well as a sensor showing the degree of filter contamination. There are devices with an ultraviolet lamp, the radiation of which neutralizes bacteria and fungi.

All in one: climate complex

If the air in the room is very dry and dirty, a climate complex can be a solution: a device that both cleans and humidifies. This device is not cheap, but it creates an optimal air environment, helping not only to maintain stable humidity levels, but also removing dust and harmful particles from the air.

Our health and mood depend on many factors, among which the surrounding microclimate, in particular, relative air humidity, plays an important role. Everyone suffers from a lack of humidity: furniture and parquet that are drying out, and indoor plants, which first slow down their growth and then die altogether. Dry climates are especially hard on children. When inhaling such air, the mucous membranes dry out, resulting in an increased risk of respiratory and infectious diseases due to a decrease in the body's protective functions.

The conclusion is obvious - urgent measures must be taken to combat the increased dryness of the climate for your apartment or house.

All models of household humidifiers do not require installation and are capable of operating around the clock in an enclosed space (room, office, study, etc.). Don't be afraid to install it in your bedroom; the noise level of the device is so low that it won't disturb your sleep.

The air humidifier is very easy to use. You just need to fill the tank with water and plug it into the outlet, the device will do the rest itself. Many people ask the question: how to choose which humidifier is best? The answer to this depends on the operating conditions and the requirements for the humidifier. The Rusklimat company offers models from well-known manufacturers:, and. Using the example of the most popular models, let’s see what microclimate in a living space is most comfortable for a person, and then we’ll see how certain types of humidifiers cope with maintaining it.

Optimal relative humidity (pH)

• For humans - 40-60%
• For office equipment and telecommunications equipment - 45-60%
• For plants in winter gardens, greenhouses and greenhouses - 55-75%
• For furniture, parquet and musical instruments - 40-60%
• For books in libraries, art museums and galleries - 40-60%

Steam humidifiers

It works on the principle of “hot” evaporation. Water is heated using two electrodes, reaching a maximum temperature, and is converted into steam.

Among the wide range of steam models presented on the Russian market, BONECO Air-O-Swiss humidifiers are deservedly popular. Using their example, we will consider all the advantages and disadvantages of steam humidifying devices.

Characteristic features are the ability to increase humidity by more than 60% and the highest performance compared to other humidifiers - evaporation up to 700 g. liquids per hour. For ease of use, there is an indicator of the amount of water remaining in the tank. The original design will not allow the device to be turned over, and the folding handle will help you move the device to another place.

The reliability of the device is beyond doubt, because the body is made of special plastic, which is characterized by increased heat resistance. As for operational safety, a three-fold protection system is used here. For example, if you do not close the water fill lid tightly, the device will not work. When the water has completely evaporated, the unit will also automatically turn off.

An important point is the ease of maintenance of a steam humidifier. It does not require any consumables such as cartridges and filters.

Compared to the many positive features, the disadvantages of BONECO Air-O-Swiss brand humidifiers are insignificant - high power consumption and the absence of a built-in hygrostat (it is purchased separately).

You can use steam humidifiers for aromatherapy and inhalation. Forget the time when you had to sit over a pot of freshly boiled potatoes, covering your head with a towel. Now you just need to add the necessary medicinal infusion to the device and, sitting next to it, inhale the medicinal vapors. And special fragrances will create pleasant smells of exotic fruits or favorite flowers in your room, having a beneficial effect on a person’s psycho-emotional state.

Air humidifiers are simply indispensable for winter gardens, greenhouses and greenhouses. Steam appliances are able to create an optimal microclimate in them, similar to tropical thickets, where high humidity is required.

High performance, simplicity of design and reasonable cost are the fundamental factors of steam humidifiers.

Ultrasonic humidifiers:

They are the most popular and advanced type among other similar devices, as they are developed on the basis of high technologies in the field of air humidification.

The operating principle is to transform water into a “water cloud” through high-frequency vibrations. Dry air is sucked from the room by a fan, passes through a “cloud” consisting of microscopic particles of water and air, and is supplied into the room in the form of cold and damp fog. Therefore, you should not be afraid of getting burned by hot steam - air humidifiers using ultrasound are completely safe to use even for small children.

Advantages of ultrasonic humidifiers:

• The built-in hygrostat allows the device to turn on and off independently, maintaining the humidity level within the specified parameters.
• A highly efficient filter cartridge removes minerals and impurities from water before it is converted. It also prevents the formation of a white coating on furniture and other interior items, which is characteristic of similar devices from other brands and manufacturers. The service life of a unique filter cartridge is on average 3 months (depending on water hardness and degree of contamination).
• Automatic shutdown of the device when there is no water in it, low noise level, wide humidity range and a rotating sprayer that directs steam in any direction are characteristic of all Boneco humidifiers.

For ease of use, some of them are equipped with an indicator that displays the level of humidity in the room. Some models are equipped with a rotary knob, others with touch buttons, depending on the type of control of the device. Some ultrasonic humidifiers (Boneco 7133 and Boneco 7135) have a “Warm Steam” function, which destroys microbes in the water, thereby providing antibacterial protection.

The scope of application of ultrasonic humidifiers, in addition to ordinary apartments or rooms, extends to greenhouses and winter gardens, similar to steam devices, in order to maintain optimal humidity for them. It is also very good to use these devices in rooms where there are interior items and antiques that require a special level of humidity: antiques, furniture, parquet, musical instruments, etc.

Of course, the price of ultrasonic humidifiers is quite high, but their compactness, low power consumption and high performance fully justify it. You pay only once, and the ideal climate in your home is created for many years.

Traditional (classic) humidifiers

Traditional humidifiers work on the principle of “cold” evaporation. Water is poured into the tank of the device, from where it flows onto special evaporative elements. The built-in fan sucks dry air from the room and drives it through the evaporator. This way the air is naturally humidified.

Let's take a closer look at steam humidifiers using the BONECO Air-O-Swiss brand as an example.

Classic humidifiers are characterized by economical energy consumption, ease of operation and low noise level. They operate without a hygrostat, and the optimal level of humidity in the room being served is maintained automatically. If you want to increase the performance of the device, we recommend placing it near a heat source or in a place with the greatest air circulation. At the same time, the intensity of evaporation will increase, and the air will not only become saturated with water vapor, but will also be cleared of suspended microparticles, dirt and dust. You will not achieve such a positive effect even by wet cleaning the room.

The modern design of the device is designed with ease of use in mind, so you can always see how much water is left in the tank. Some models have an antibacterial cassette, thanks to which pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed.

Models of the BONECO Air-O-Swiss brand are distinguished by the ability to switch to the desired operating mode: normal (low noise level) and night (virtually silent operation).

Many traditional humidifiers can also be used for aromatherapy. To do this, you just need to install a capsule containing an aromatic substance. The device will slowly release and maintain a pleasant aroma in the room. This will not only create a comfortable microclimate in your home, but will also help you relax, relieve stress, and improve blood circulation.

Classic devices that humidify the air are great for offices and apartments. Due to their absolute safety of use, they are recommended for use in children's rooms and bedrooms. The disadvantage is the limitation of humidity (no more than 60%), so they are not used in greenhouses and winter gardens.

In principle, any traditional humidifier can solve the problem of dry air in your home. It will be relevant not only in hot summer weather, but especially in winter. There is a simple explanation for this: in winter, atmospheric air has high relative humidity, but when it enters a warm room, it heats up and the humidity level drops sharply. At the same time, the absolute moisture content remains unchanged. Therefore, it is necessary to humidify the air artificially all year round - using humidifiers.

"Air washes"

Combines the functions of a humidifier and air purifier. Thus, the Air-O-Swiss 2055 brand device is very popular, which we will consider in more detail.

The design of the device is very original: a system of plastic disks lifts water from the reservoir and transforms it into a water bath. The “water dust” obtained in this way humidifies the air and cleans it of house dust, pollen and other harmful particles.

You can evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the air washing device yourself:

• Antibacterial protection system,
• High quality components with long service life,
• Two power levels with low noise level,
• Ease of use, etc.

Limiting air humidification to 60% is perhaps the only drawback of “air washing”.

The main feature of such a device is an ionizing silver rod - a proprietary technological innovation. The antibacterial properties of silver make it possible to effectively disinfect water, while the ion concentration remains virtually unchanged throughout the long life of the rod.

If you want to constantly feel fresh and clean air in your room (like after rain), then the Air-O-Swiss 2055 “air washer” will easily cope with this task, and in rooms with heavy dustiness this device is simply necessary for quickly restoring normal microclimate.

Humidifiers with air purification (climate complexes)

It is both a humidifier and an air purifier. A striking example of such a device is the Air-O-Swiss 2071 brand device. The principle of its operation is similar to other types of humidifiers: a fan drives air through the evaporator, as a result of which it evaporates and saturates the air with water vapor - natural humidification occurs.

Special mention should be made of its function as an air purifier with a three-stage system of 2 HEPA class filters and a special carbon filter.

“catches” microparticles, dust, pollen, etc. Passing through the evaporator, the air is saturated with moisture vapor, and the antibacterial impregnation kills microorganisms. The carbon filter eliminates unpleasant odors, harmful gases and tobacco smoke.

The device has many advantages that make it easier to use and aimed at creating comfort in your home: convenient handles for carrying, two removable transparent containers with handles, an on/off indicator, low power consumption, etc.

In addition, it can be used for aromatherapy using a special capsule. Your room will be filled with a pleasant aroma, and fragrant oils will calm the nervous system, relieve tension, and have a tonic effect.

Among the shortcomings of the climate control system, the only disadvantages that should be highlighted are the limitation of humidity (no more than 60%), overall dimensions and periodic replacement of consumables (filters).

The range of application of such a device covers both offices and premises with parquet, as well as children's rooms. Thanks to highly efficient air circulation, it is ideal for very dusty or smoky rooms.

Of course, a device with the functions of cleaning, moisturizing and aromatization cannot be cheap, but this is an acceptable price for an elite climate control system that combines modern design with the latest technologies.

• 1. When the air is too dry
• 2. How can you tell if a situation is dangerous?
• 3. Types of humidifiers
• 4. Traditional humidifiers
• 5. Steam humidifiers
• 6. Ultrasonic humidifiers
• 7. Which is better: an air washer or a humidifier?
• 8. Combination humidifiers

Comfort in the home is successfully maintained by modern household appliances. Among them, a humidifier is of particular importance. This type of climate control technology makes life much easier. It helps get rid of dry air and maintains an optimal level of humidity in the room.

The modern market offers a colossal selection of humidifiers, the variety of which is not difficult to get lost. Today you will learn what parameters should be taken into account when purchasing. What should you focus on first: cost, nature of work, power, additional functionality? And, in fact, how to choose a humidifier for an apartment or private cottage?

When the air is too dry

The problem of dry air is not one that can be neglected. In a house where humidity levels are far from normal, everyone becomes ill. Even plants begin to slow down their growth, or even completely wither. Furniture is drying out, wooden parquet and appliances are deteriorating. Not to mention the people. It is especially difficult for the youngest, those who are sick, or are already old. Dry air causes dry mucous membranes and skin. As a result, breathing becomes difficult and headaches become frequent.

To prevent such dangerous situations, an air purifier and humidifier for the apartment are used. The purpose of this technology is to maintain the most favorable microclimate for life and health by maintaining optimal humidity levels (40-60%) by saturating the air with water vapor. This is why thoughtful selection of a humidifier is very important.

How can you tell if a situation is dangerous?

You can check the humidity levels in your home using a hygrometer. The price of such a measuring device is from 150 rubles and above. You can also purchase a small digital weather station that can determine not only the humidity level, but also temperature and pressure.

What is important. It is better to take measurements systematically, observing changes in the indicator for several days in a row. This is especially important in winter. Because during this period, due to the use of heating devices, the air becomes drier. The critical humidity level is 40%. If it's higher, then everything is fine. Below – you need to urgently think about which humidifier to choose.

Types of humidifiers

There are several types of air humidifiers - traditional, steam, air washers, ultrasonic, combined. Such an assortment makes the task of choosing difficult. What should you pay attention to when choosing the best one for your home: manufacturer rating, brand, functionality or cost? Humidifier for children: which one is better? How to buy the optimal device for a greenhouse, home or office? Let's take a closer look.

Traditional humidifiers

They are distinguished by their simple design and uncomplicated operating principle, based on the natural evaporation of moisture. This climate control equipment consists of a small tank (water is poured into it), a cartridge or sponge filter (it is partially immersed in water), and a fan (forces air to move through the filter). The power of such a device is up to 400 grams of water per hour. In this case, you can reach 60% humidity (maximum). The humidifier is very unpretentious in maintenance. To maintain it, just add water to the container and wash the filter periodically.

Advantages: electricity savings (up to 60 watts); ease of maintenance: the water level is visible, it is always clear when to refill; natural evaporation – waterlogging of the air is excluded; low cost; the presence of an ionizer (in many devices), which allows you to get rid of smoke, allergens, and harmful bacteria; ease of daily care.

Flaws: fan noise (up to 40 decibels); the filter needs to be systematically replaced; slow work - you won’t be able to humidify the air quickly, this takes time.

Expert recommendations: This is the ideal humidifier for a child's room. Because it is safe to use. It does not create hot steam and even if it is constantly turned on, the air will not be oversaturated with steam.

Steam humidifiers

The operating principle is very similar to electric kettles. After all, this technique uses hot steam to saturate the air with humidity. This type of humidifier consists of a water tank, a tray, a heating element, a sprayer and a special steam supply chamber. This equipment is very simple to maintain. To maintain efficiency, it is enough to replenish the water container from time to time.

Advantages: excellent performance; there are no components that need systematic replacement; a good option for a home winter garden and greenhouse, you can create real tropics; inhalation function (typical for some models).

Flaws: noise; significant electricity costs; not for children's rooms - hot steam is dangerous and requires extreme caution; parts wear out quite quickly; do not purify the air; possibility of scale formation (when using regular tap water).

Expert recommendations: Steam cleaners are optimal for greenhouses, winter gardens, greenhouses. It is advisable not to use them for a children's room due to the increased danger, as well as for home offices (so as not to spoil books and important documents), interiors furnished with expensive wooden furniture and parquet floors.

Ultrasonic humidifiers

Due to its innovative properties, such climate control technology confidently occupies a leading position in the market, displacing other competitors every year. How does an ultrasonic humidifier work? The design of this humidifier consists of a water tank, a vaporization chamber, a special AG cartridge, a fan, and an ultrasonic membrane. It is the latter, vibrating, that turns water into tiny drops. The equipment is quite simple to maintain. However, it is necessary to periodically replace the filters and use only distilled water.

Advantages: safety (the steam that comes out is not hot); low noise level (within 25 decibels); economical use; high performance; filter system for air purification; complete with hygrometer; automatic setup; compactness; ergonomic design.

Flaws: high price (when compared with other types of humidifiers); systematic replacement of filters and cartridges, mandatory use of purified water.

What is better: an air washer or a humidifier?

Another type of climate control equipment is washing. Visually, they are no different from traditional humidifiers. Nevertheless, there is a difference. It consists of having an air purification system (dust, odors, allergens). In addition, some models are equipped with ionizers. The sinks consist of a fan, a tray with water, plastic discs, and a rotating drum. This equipment is quite simple to maintain. It is enough to periodically rinse the plastic discs and container and add water.

Advantages: efficiency; low noise level; ease of care; the presence of a cleaning system and ionizer.

Flaws: low productivity; not recommended for greenhouses, winter gardens, greenhouses.

Combination humidifiers

This type of climate control technology appeared relatively recently, but has already gained popularity, especially in the new year 2019. The reason for this is excellent functionality. In addition to humidification, combined appliances purify the air. The design of such devices consists of an electric motor, a fan, a water tank, numerous filters (carbon, HEPA, wet antibacterial type) that remove allergens, and sensors that respond to dust levels and cigarette smoke. The combined humidifier is unpretentious in maintenance; however, you will have to change the filters and monitor the water level in the tank.

Advantages: high performance; the presence of sensors that respond to humidity, air pollution and odors; durability and reliability.

Flaws: high price, high cost of maintenance (the need to constantly replace filters).

Another important point when choosing a humidifier is performance indicators (indicated in grams-liters of water, respectively, per hour-day). They need to be taken into account when buying equipment for rooms of different sizes. In addition, for rooms with different dimensions, a floor-standing or tabletop device may be the best option. When purchasing equipment, be sure to check which filters and indicators are used, what the tank capacity is, operating time, control methods (mechanical or electronic), and what additional functions the humidifier is equipped with. All this is important or, on the contrary, does not matter, taking into account the individual conditions of further operation.

When imagining an ideal home, few people think about the air quality in it as one of the key criteria. Most often, people imagine completely different images, such as space, light, warmth, silence, a cozy interior. However, this is a very important aspect that must be taken into account and controlled. Air humidity in rooms where people spend a lot of time can significantly affect the health of all family members. That's why every person needs to know how to choose a humidifier for their home.

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  Signs of dry air

  It is not so easy to understand that the air in the apartment has become too dry. Most often, this phenomenon occurs in the cold season due to the startup of central heating equipment. The following may indicate that you need to purchase a humidifier:

  1. 1. There is a feeling of dehydration. Sometimes you feel excited and tired at the same time.
  2. 2. The skin becomes dry and itchy at the same time.
  3. 3. Family members are more likely to suffer from respiratory diseases. Children are especially susceptible to them.
  4. 4. A feeling of irritation appears in the eyes and throat mucosa.
  5. 5. The skin on the lips is cracking.

  In addition to the effects that dry air has on a person and his family, too low a humidity level affects the health of houseplants.

  Lack of water vapor leads to the appearance of yellowness and curling of their leaves. Flowers have to be watered more often than usual. All this suggests that it’s time to figure out how to choose the right one.

  

  Benefits of use

  The device maintains the relative humidity level within normal limits. It is especially important to install it in rooms where people sleep and spend a lot of time. The device allows:

  

  We test different models of air humidifiers

  

  Children's room

  A child's respiratory system is not as well developed as an adult's, and this is especially true for infants. Babies are very sensitive to respiratory diseases, so a good humidifier should be in their room. It will protect children from excessive dryness of mucous membranes, allergies, strengthen their immune system and make them feel better, even if their nose is clogged.

  If you choose a model that can also add aromatic oils, air humidity control sessions will turn into healing therapy for babies. In appearance, such devices are often quite original.

  This is done using a device called a hygrometer. The recommended level is 45−55%. This indicator is relative humidity, expressed as a percentage, more precisely in the ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air to its maximum saturation. When the specified value is exceeded, condensation occurs.

  It is also useful to know that humidity levels affect how the body perceives air temperature. The subjective perceived temperature in a room may differ from that on a thermometer. For maximum comfort, it is recommended to provide lower humidity in summer and higher humidity in winter.

  Humidifiers come with a built-in humidity sensor or even automatically start the device when the readings in the apartment are below the minimum.

  

  Types of devices

  There are two main categories of humidifiers on the market: traditional and ultrasonic. Traditional ones are also divided into 2 types: cold and hot steam. A cold air humidifier does not heat the air that evaporates indoors, so it is suitable for any season and works by spraying a stream of water or passing ventilated air over a container of water. It should be cleaned frequently and thoroughly to avoid bacteria buildup. In winter, this device can lower the room temperature and is recommended for people suffering from asthma and allergies.

  A hot air humidifier kills bacteria and germs in the room due to the high temperature of the steam produced. Therefore, this is a good option, especially for young children. It reduces the risk of disease, but provided that the device is placed where children cannot reach it. These humidifiers are recommended for people with allergies. The devices are raised, so they are not suitable for the warm season.

  The operating principle of ultrasonic humidifiers is that ultrasound enters the water in a container. It disperses it into fine particles and distributes it indoors using a fan. Ultrasonic equipment is also capable of generating hot and cold air. As a rule, these devices are quieter than traditional ones.

  The ionization function is an indoor method. Now Russian homes are under attack from both dust and positive ions emanating from electronic devices (computers, household appliances, phosphorescent lighting). They cause fatigue and must be balanced by a system that generates negative ions. The ionizer produces positive ions. It gets dirty and must be cleaned periodically.

  How to choose the right humidifier? - Everything will be fine. Issue 906 from 1.11.16

  There are so many different humidifiers on the market today that choosing a model should be carefully considered. You need to evaluate all the details and functions that they have. There is a whole list of criteria worthy of attention.

  The type of air they work with is one of the key considerations. You can choose a cold or hot steam model, depending on the season for which you want to use it, the temperature at which a person feels good, and the need to destroy bacteria and viruses in the house. Other important parameters:

  

  The air purification or ionization function can be especially useful in homes with a lot of electronic equipment, in children's rooms or in areas where there is a lot of dust. The following options are also relevant:

  

  A longer power cable may be important if the device is going to be placed in a small child's room. The humidifier can be placed at a height where the baby cannot access it.

  The ideal weight and size will depend on where the device is placed. A small and simple design model is suitable if you plan to move it from one room to another. But the size is directly related to the capacity of the tank, so you have to choose one.

  There is no need to indulge in horror as the cold season approaches. The likelihood of getting sick and experiencing unpleasant consequences of exposure to dry air can be eliminated if you purchase. This device will help you get through an unpleasant period easily and naturally.

In our climate, you cannot survive in winter without heating. And hot radiators dry out the air very much. Dry air means poor health, dry mouth and nose, “sand” in the eyes, dry skin and hair. These are just the symptoms that everyone has. And there are also individual reactions. Therefore, maintaining proper humidity is an important task. One way to regulate indoor humidity is to use a humidifier for your home or apartment. This is a small (or large) device that quickly and efficiently distributes moisture.

Many people in the autumn-winter period note constant dryness of the nasopharynx, “sand” in the eyes, electrified hair, and worse skin condition. All this can be a consequence of dry air. It becomes especially dry during the heating season. Prolonged stay in rooms with dry air leads to deterioration of well-being, more frequent colds and infectious diseases: the dry mucous membrane of the nasopharynx copes with infections much worse. In addition, dust and other small allergens move more actively in dry air. This can cause a deterioration in the well-being of allergy sufferers. It’s not for nothing that there are standards (C AnPiN 2.1.2.1002-00), regulating air parameters.

As you can see, the optimal humidity in residential premises is 30-45%, acceptable - 60%. This is during the cold season. In the warm season, the upper limit of optimal humidity rises to 60%, and the permissible one is 65% (75% in the southern regions).

If you measure the humidity in your apartment during the heating season, you will most likely see that it is only 20-25%. That is, it is significantly below normal and measures must be taken to moisturize. You can increase the humidity in the room using traditional methods: hang plastic bottles with the tops cut off and filled with water on the radiators, place containers of water under or on the radiators, cover them with wet towels, etc. You will be surprised at how quickly water evaporates.

A basic air humidifier for the home... but the battery will rust

All of these products are good because they require virtually no costs, but they will not be able to significantly increase humidity - their efficiency is rather low. Although the humidity, of course, increases a little and dryness is no longer as critical as without any devices at all. But the fastest way to raise the humidity in a room is with the help of special devices. A home humidifier can come in different sizes, types and shapes. The appearance of some devices is “not very good”, others are more like works of art or accessories. But, first of all, you need to choose not the appearance, but the design and characteristics.

Types of humidifiers

There are three main types of humidifiers: cold evaporation, steam and ultrasonic. None of them can be called ideal. Each has advantages and disadvantages, but each is the best in certain conditions. To decide which type of humidifier is best for you, let's look at their design.

"Conventional" home humidifier with cold mist (traditional)

A traditional air humidifier consists of a container of water and a fan. The fan blows air over the water, which captures the water evaporating from the surface and carries it throughout the room. Everything is elementary and reliable. The device works as long as there is electricity, the fan rotates and there is water in the container. Even if the water has evaporated, there are no catastrophic consequences: the fan circulates air without humidification.

To prevent operation without water, a sensor is built into the container. In the simplest version, it is a regular float, which, when it sinks to the bottom, turns off the power supply. In slightly more complex models, these may be more modern electronic sensors.

Even more complex models may have filters for air purification from dust, built-in ionizers, aromatization baths, automatic on and off timers, etc. But these are “bells and whistles” that have nothing to do with the basic design (but some are very useful... yes, more on them a little later).

The benefits of a cold evaporation humidifier are as follows:

An air humidifier for a home or apartment of this type is a good purchase. But it has a significant drawback: it cannot quickly raise humidity. During long-term operation, it is able to maintain humidity within normal limits, but raises it smoothly and for a long time. Another point: noise during operation. Since the fan makes noise during operation, there is no escape from it. The noise level depends on the quality of the fan and the rotation speed of the blades. During the day it is almost invisible, but at night you can set it to low speed or turn it off completely.

Steam humidifier

As you know, water evaporates faster when heated. This principle is used in steam humidifiers. A heater (heater) is built into a container with water. The steam formed during heating exits through special holes in the housing, carrying away a significant amount of water vapor. To speed up the process, the design also has a fan.

The advantages of steam humidifiers are the high rate of increase in humidity. If desired, you can reach it up to 60% and even higher. But this solution has many more disadvantages:

In general, a steam humidifier for the home can be used if there are no children or pets. It is good if you need to quickly increase air humidity. For continuous operation, you need models with automation, otherwise there is a high probability of failure.

Ultrasonic models

You can quickly increase the humidity if you have an ultrasonic humidifier for your home or apartment. Its distinctive feature is the presence of a membrane to which water is supplied and which vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency. With rapid vibrations, water is broken into small particles and mixed with air. Humidified air is distributed throughout the room. To speed up air movement and be able to regulate the speed of humidification, a fan is built into the device.

The main advantages of an ultrasonic humidifier are low electricity consumption (slightly more than cold models) and silence. Or rather, it does not create vibrations that our ears can detect. But pets react poorly to ultrasound. So they can worry. And its influence on humans has not yet been fully studied. But the latter is not an argument, but reinsurance.

This type of home humidifier also has another noticeable drawback: it is demanding on water quality. You will have to fill it with distilled water. And of high quality. No, it works with regular tap liquid too. But a white coating forms on all nearby objects: all the salts and microelements settle, which, together with water particles, enter the air. The plaque forms very quickly, you have to wipe it off almost every day, which is very, very tiring.

Some ultrasonic humidifiers are equipped with filters that purify the incoming water. The descriptions of such models indicate that water can be poured from the tap. You can fill it, but there will be a residue. They install cassette filters, but they do not provide complete cleansing. At first there will not be very much plaque, but over time, as the filters become dirty, more and more. These models are much more expensive and also require regular filter replacement, which also costs a considerable amount. Simply washing them is not enough, as over time they begin to “smell”.

There is one more subjective point: if you get under a stream of air from a humidifier, it is not very pleasant. Cold, very humid air does not leave the best feeling.

Air washing

This device is an advanced cold-type air humidifier that combines a humidification function and a cleaning function. A plate membrane is built into the design, half immersed in a reservoir of water. Under the influence of a stream of air, the membrane rotates, capturing air with it. Passing through water, the air is purified, leaving most of the dust, odors, and other small and not very contaminants in the water. Purified and humidified air is returned to the room.

After some time, there really is a lot of dust and dirt and pet hair in the water. It has to be changed. And quite often. And this is one of the disadvantages of this system. But the air becomes really cleaner, without foreign odors (as with quartz or ionization), and it’s easier to breathe. This is an air humidification system that is indicated for allergy sufferers and people with diseases of the respiratory system. This is a great choice if you are looking for a humidifier for your child's room.

Disadvantages of this system: higher price, the need to monitor the condition and availability of water, the need to replace filters. If you do not wash the device on time, a lot of dirt and allergens accumulate in it, and with the evaporated moisture they again enter the air. If other types of air humidifiers can be taken with large water tanks and topped up once a day, then this option will not work with this type. The water still needs to be changed.

Which air humidifier is better?

As you can see, it is impossible to say unequivocally that this humidifier is the best. Each has its own characteristics and shortcomings. So you need to choose based on your priority requirements.

If you are looking for an inexpensive humidifier for your home, consider cold evaporation models. But you will have to come to terms with the fact that the device must work almost constantly. If you need to quickly increase humidity, steam or ultrasonic units are suitable. And if you need a good humidifier for the nursery or there are people in the family with allergies or people with respiratory diseases, the best option is an air washer. But you will have to monitor the condition of the water. Over time, this will become a habit and you will stop noticing these actions.

What to look for when choosing

Any home humidifier is designed to process a certain volume of air. Therefore, when purchasing, we pay attention to how much area it can serve. It is better to take with a margin of 20-25% or even more. For example, a room with an area of ​​9-10 square meters can easily cope with the task of maintaining the required humidity with a unit that is designed to serve 12 square meters or more.

The second thing you should pay attention to is the capacity of the water tank and the water consumption per hour. These two parameters can tell you how often you will need to add water during constant operation. We divide the tank capacity in liters by the flow rate (also in liters), and we get some figure. This will be the operating time of the air humidifier on one refill. The higher this number, the less often you will have to add water. On the other hand, models with a large reservoir are not very elegant. So you will have to choose what is more important: beauty or the duration of operation at one gas station.

You also need to pay attention to the fact that the tank is removable (easier to wash and fill), and that it is convenient to fill with water.

Additional options and functions

Although the design of the working part of air humidifiers is not too complicated, for convenience, sensors and additional devices are built into them to expand functionality. These models are more convenient to use, but their price is much higher. Some functions are very useful, while others can be easily done without.

Control panel and its type

All controls - mode switch, setting the desired humidity level, etc. - are located on the control panel. It can be mechanical or electronic. Mechanical - the usual knobs or switches, electronic - buttons or a touch screen.

Models with touch controls are the most expensive (all other characteristics being equal), while models with mechanical controls are the cheapest. At the same time, mechanical control is the most reliable, since the “twists” rarely break.

There are also models that are controlled from a remote control. They are, of course, the most expensive, since the control is electronic, plus a more complex configuration due to the presence of a remote control.

Automatic humidity level function

Some humidifiers have a built-in hygrometer that monitors the humidity in the room. Its indicators are not very accurate, since the humidity near the device will be much higher than at a considerable distance from it. But such models allow you to automatically maintain a certain level of humidity.

Maintaining a given humidity is a useful thing, but it greatly increases the price

This feature is convenient. Especially if the water tank is large. You don't have to worry about the air being too dry or humid. Its parameters will be more or less stable.

Number of operating modes

In models without automatic humidity maintenance, such a parameter as the number of operating modes is important. By switching modes, you can manually maintain the desired air condition.

Number of operating modes: minimum 3

For convenient operation, the minimum number of gradations is three, the optimal is five. Less is inconvenient to work with, more is meaningless. So there is no point in chasing this figure too much.

Safety system

To ensure that your home humidifier only works productively, it is advisable to have a water presence sensor. In steam models, this is important, since without water the heater will burn out. In other modifications, idle operation will only result in wasted energy consumption. Therefore, in steam models, when the sensor is working, the power is turned off; in other types of air humidifiers, the warning light usually just lights up.

The device must be safe, especially if the humidifier is installed in a children's room

Some models (mostly steam) have a sensor that turns off the power when the position changes. If such a home humidifier is turned over, it will turn off.