A sign of a healthy microclimate is cleanliness, optimal temperature and humidity of the air inhaled by people. When its indicators worsen, a person's health worsens, a headache, increased fatigue occurs, and the risk of developing various diseases increases. If you choose the right humidifier for your apartment, these potential dangers can be minimized or eliminated completely. To make the right decision, you should deal with the types of humidifiers for the apartment, their pros and cons, features of installation and operation.
Appointment of humidifiers for an apartment
Humidifiers are an extensive range of HVAC equipment, which has a fairly diverse range of features and applications. Modern devices are distinguished by their presentable appearance, high performance and efficiency, safety and ease of operation. The products can be used in families where there is a child, people of advanced age, people suffering from allergic reactions and respiratory diseases.
Appointment of devices:
- Humidification to optimum performance. Dryness in the room negatively affects the respiratory system, furniture, green spaces.
- Dust removal. Contaminants settle on the filters while pumping air through the device. Due to this, the risk of developing allergies and infectious diseases is reduced. 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. Thanks to the work of high voltage electrodes, the formation of ions that positively affect the nervous system. A person's sleep improves, he becomes calm and peaceful.
Home air purifiers can have one, two, or all of the options listed. The choice of an air humidifier is made based on the specific living conditions and the needs of each family.
A variety of models and the principle of operation
On the Russian market of household appliances, various types of humidifiers are presented, differing by 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 room’s atmosphere with moisture in a natural way. From the pallets, water enters the mesh cartridges, which are blown by a fan, as a result of which water evaporates.
Advantages:
- automatic adjustment;
- Beautiful design;
- good performance;
- the possibility of using flavorings;
- safety in terms of burns.
Disadvantages:
- quite a lot of noise;
- the need for frequent replacement of cartridges;
- use only distilled water.
In terms of price and quality, this type of air purifier is considered one of the best.
Steam
Steam humidifiers are an analog of an electric kettle.The water located in the tank is in a state of weak boiling, and the steam produced through the nozzles comes out.
Benefits:
- the speed of humidification of a room even of a large area;
- water of any quality;
- additional option of an inhaler;
- the device is small, does not take up much space.
Disadvantages:
- loud noises when generating steam;
- risk of burns, cannot be placed in the nursery;
- quite a lot of electricity.
Steam devices cannot be called universal, since they have significant limitations for domestic use.
Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic humidifiers are today the most popular among consumers of all categories. The devices are quiet, compact, have decent performance. The formation of steam occurs due to vibration of the part to which water enters. As a result, the smallest cold suspension is formed, filling the entire space of the room. Fog is completely harmless to people, plants, furniture and fabrics.
Advantages:
- humidity level adjustment;
- operational safety;
- lack of noise during the work
- set of additional functions;
- profitability;
- convenience of settings;
- compactness.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- the need for frequent cleaning of items.
A silent humidifier with ultrasound is considered the most versatile and safest. If you take such a device for an apartment, you can be sure that the quality of the air treatment in it will meet all sanitary standards.
Combined
Such devices belong to the category of climatic complexes, as they combine several useful options. You can choose models that perform air purification and humidification, have a built-in ionizer and flavor. Options can work simultaneously or separately.
Advantages:
- wide opportunities;
- high quality air treatment;
- low energy consumption;
- healing effects on the body;
- the ability to use in rooms of any type.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- complexity of service;
- use of pure water only;
- the need for frequent replacement of consumables.
A high-quality and powerful combination device is 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 tank of water. The air supplied to this system is saturated with moisture and is cleaned of impurities that are washed away from the disks into the drainage.
Advantages:
- sufficient power for a large room;
- high degree of cleaning and moisturizing;
- device reliability;
- simplicity of setup and management.
Disadvantages:
- large dimensions;
- loud noise during work;
- frequent replacement of expensive filters;
- limited functions.
It is advisable to purchase air sinks together with devices that have the functions of ionization and aromatization in order to achieve optimal air condition.
Functions and characteristics of humidifiers for an apartment
To buy the best humidifier for the home, you should familiarize yourself with the functions and capabilities that devices of various types have. Comparison of technical characteristics, cost and features of operation will help to make the right decision.
The main indicator of the functionality of the device is its performance. It is determined by the area of the room on which the device can maintain an optimal level of humidity. The average productivity indicator is 10 ml / h / m².For a room of 20 m², a device is needed that evaporates 200 ml of water per hour. Accordingly, consumption is calculated for large areas. If the apartment is properly organized by ventilation 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 desired level of humidity in all rooms.
The next indicator is power. Steam evaporators consume the most energy, 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.
No less important to achieve a comfortable stay in the apartment is the noise level produced by the device. Modern products publish no more than 20 dB, while in steam this indicator can reach 40-60 dB.
Criterias of choice
Before buying, you should familiarize yourself with the features of the device and servicing products, since the quality of humidification, air purification in the apartment and the costs of operating the device depend on this factor.
It is recommended to select humidifiers according to the following criteria:
- Type and number of filters. The most effective are coal inserts. They absorb unpleasant odors, delay pathogens and various impurities. Equally important are intermediate filters that collect dust, wool, hair and small insects. Ultraviolet lamps destroy all types of infection, and HEPA models delay almost all contaminants.
- Water consumption. The effectiveness of humidification and the frequency of refueling the device depends on this indicator. Different models evaporate 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 evening. For a small device for a small room, a tank of up to 2000 ml is enough. For an apartment with internal ventilation, you must buy humidifiers with a tank of 6-10 liters.
- Control. On sale are products with mechanical and electronic controls. Instrument setup is equally simple and straightforward, but electronic ones are more expensive. Existence of the display with indication helps to receive information on the level of humidity, degree of pollution of filters and the remained operating time. However, not everyone may like the presence of an alarm about the end of water, especially when a loud sound is heard when people are resting.
- Additional functions. In modern devices there are quite a lot of them, but not all are relevant in a particular case. Aromatherapy may not be suitable for all residents of the apartment, both in terms of odor tolerance and allergic reactions. The functions of ionization and ozonation are needed for people prone to infectious diseases.
- The presence of an ultraviolet lamp. This is a powerful and effective means of combating pathogenic viruses, bacteria and other types of infection. In this case, the emitter is hidden inside the case, does not have a destructive effect on the organs of vision and interior items.
- Cost. The cheapest models will cost the buyer traditional models, which can be taken for 4000-5000 rubles. Ultrasound will cost 7,000-14,000 rubles, and combined - up to 20,000 rubles. Here you need to consider what you can save by buying two devices of a narrow focus, which will cost less than a similar climate technology in functionality.
- Ergonomics. This is not only about the appearance of the equipment, which should correspond to the interior of the room. The product should be easy to disassemble and maintain. You should pay attention to such functions as adjusting the direction of the steam and the possibility of refueling without stopping and disassembling the device. Select the product should be on the brightness of the display indication. At night, bright light can interfere with a good rest.
The choice of type of humidifier is made based on the needs of each family. The most optimal in all respects are considered traditional type devices. They are characterized by high performance and simplicity of the device with a low level of energy consumption. At the same time, the devices are absolutely safe.
When choosing between ultrasonic and steam humidifiers, the first type wins in all positions except cost. However, steam products are more reliable, easier to maintain, their repair is much cheaper.
Rating of air purifiers for an apartment in 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 purchased from an authorized dealer.
Mounting Features
Installation of humidifiers is not particularly difficult. Most of the equipment is available in the floor version with the possibility of installation 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 wall from drywall, the fasteners are screwed to the inner frame, which in such cases serves as an installation.
