A person feels like a fish in water only if the humidity is 40-60 percent. You’d think we’d have something to worry about: the humidity level that weather forecasters regularly tell us is often above the upper limit of normal usage. But it is outside, and inside, where we spend most of our time, the situation is completely different: the humidity sometimes drops up to 20 percent – drier than in the Sahara!
What is bad about dry air??
With humid air, it is clear, it is difficult to breathe, strain on the heart increases, and we do not feel dry air. The first signs – absent-mindedness, rapid fatigue, sleepiness – are common to many illnesses, so we may not realize that the reason for our general worsening is the lack of air humidity.
It is only when the dry mucous membranes start to tickle unpleasantly in the nose and throat, that we begin to guess the real reason. Particularly sensitive and vulnerable mucosa in infants: from the dryness of their nose gets stuck, which makes it difficult to breathe and does not let the baby sleep, and dry mouth interferes with feeding. No wonder our wise grandmothers hung wet towels above the crib!
The “diagnosis” shows itself externally: chapped lips, dry and therefore quickly aging skin, brittle hair… But most importantly – dry air, greatly increasing the risk of infectious and respiratory diseases, is a direct threat to our health.
It happens for two reasons: firstly, the bronchi ability to self-cleansing is worsened, which facilitates penetration inside the organism of all kinds of microbes and viruses, and secondly, in dry air there are much more pollutions those which in normal humidity would have quietly lain on the floor and furniture surfaces, getting easier from the loss of moisture in a dry atmosphere, are able to float in the air for a long time .
In our time to solve the problem with the humidity in the house is not difficult: to maintain it there are devices, which are called – humidifiers. By the way, in addition to their main task, humidifiers perform another – air purification.
The smallest pollutant particles, so light that they can float for hours in the air, soaked in water, become heavy and settle on surfaces as occurs in wet mopping – a mandatory preventive procedure during epidemics .
According to the principle of operation, humidifiers are divided into three types: traditional, steam and ultrasonic. Normal indoor humidity can also be maintained through the use of air handling units and “air washers” that combine humidification with air purification, more so than in a humid atmosphere.
Types of humidifiers
Cold fog humidifiers
Were the first and for a long time the only one and their other name more compact, and therefore more often used – traditional – appeared when other humidifiers. The principle is simple: the water at the bottom of the reservoir soaks up the capillaries and the multi-layered paper, which evaporates in the breeze produced by a small fan.
More expensive units use special plastic humidifier discs instead of paper and use the water from the tank more economically. Whichever evaporator is used, it also contributes to further air purification by trapping the impurities it contains.
“Cold evaporation” is a self-regulating process: according to the law of physics, the relative humidity in natural evaporation reaches a certain value at each particular temperature.
In the temperature range in which the humidifier is operated at home or in the office, the humidity cannot exceed 60 percent, which means the device does not require any control.
However, a person’s subjective experience of comfortable humidity may differ greatly from the value determined by the physical law of equilibrium. This is why some models are equipped with an adjustable humidistat, which allows you to set the humidity level that suits you best. Humidifier switches off automatically when the humidity reaches a pre-set point and switches back on again when the humidity drops.
Conventional humidifier has two and sometimes three power settings. Low power fan is so quiet that it does not disturb you even when you sleep. In some models, turning the outlet grill can change the direction of air flow, which is useful when the humidifier is used for cooling.
The bigger the evaporating surface, the faster and in a larger room the normal humidity can be achieved, so on the market you can find models with two evaporating cassettes and consequently with two fans and water tanks . There are also models with additional fragrance function, and the degree of saturation of the air with incense can be varied by changing the amount of essential oil drops falling into the water.
Not much of a problem to operate the device. The first thing to watch out for is the presence of water in the tanks, which can be seen either by the indicator signal or, if the tank is made of transparent plastic, visually. But the main concern is to timely change the evaporating cartridge that accumulates contaminants: it is not only dirt and dust contained in the air, but also the hardness salts present in the water, as well as bacteria and other microorganisms.
To fight against microorganisms that actively reproduce in a humid environment the manufacturers use ionizing silver rod, effectively destroying more than 650 kinds of bacteria and viruses, impregnating the filter with a special antibacterial composition, and also equip the device with an additional mode of filter drying that turns on after the end of the device work.
Cold evaporation rate is slow and requires some time before all the air in the room is saturated with moisture however, since the intensity of evaporation depends on the temperature, it can be increased by placing the humidifier near a heater eg near a central heating battery .
Steam humidifiers
They are distinguished by a high vaporization intensity: it takes only a few minutes to saturate the air with moisture. As the name suggests, in this case the water evaporates when heated, for which purpose either a heating element as in a boiling pot or a pair of electrodes are immersed in the tank with water. But heating can vaporize all the water contained in the tank, which is fraught with a dangerous situation.
To avoid this possibility, a humidifier with a heater is equipped with a special lock, and when using electrodes for heating, safety is guaranteed by the very nature of the phenomenon: in the absence of water circuit is open.
Another disadvantage – the growth of humidity throughout the time of heating, it is threatened by overmoistening, so the houses are steam humidifiers must be used with devices for monitoring and control hygrostat or hygrometer with automatic shutdown system that occurs when reaching the normal value of humidity . Sometimes climate control devices are built into humidifiers at once in other cases, they are purchased additionally.
Steam coming out of such a humidifier is practically sterile: when heated, the salts contained in water precipitate as scale and bacteria die. Therefore, devices of this type, in principle, do not need replacement elements cartridges and filters , but some manufacturers use an antibacterial cartridge to protect the device itself.
It is interesting that if heating is done with electrodes or rather with current flowing between the electrodes , the intensity of evaporation increases with the concentration of salts, because it is the salts that make water conductive. Thus, when using very soft water as well as distilled or rain water the process does not go at all, but it is only necessary to add a small amount on the tip of a knife table salt in the water, and the device will work. As to the risk of total evaporation, it is eliminated by a control system in which the water level is monitored by measuring the resistance that increases as the water layer becomes smaller: as soon as it reaches the minimum level the appliance switches off.
Since steam humidifiers only heat a thin layer of water, which forms a “boiling film” that is detrimental to microbes, the water in them is not hot, but warm however, some manufacturers, for greater safety, make these devices completely sealed.
Ultrasonic humidifiers
Emerging on the threshold of the XXI century, not only the most effective but also the most user-friendly thanks to a wealth of technical features that allow flexible operation and visibility of the processes.
In addition to the humidistat, most models include a timer that allows you to set the duration of operation and a display that not only shows the set and current humidity values, but also the mode and intensity of humidification, which can count up to 10 steps.
Often, instead of a mechanical control touch control is used, and in some models, control of the device is duplicated by the buttons on the remote control.
In ultrasonic humidifiers, water “boils” at room temperature: water is split into tiny sprays on a high-frequency vibrating plate and forms a water cloud.
The air driven through this cloud by a small fan is saturated with moisture and escapes through a special nozzle. The nozzle can rotate, directing wet jets into different areas of the room. These jets are so cool that you can hold your hand up to the very nozzle.
There is a significant difference in the operation of evaporative cold or hot humidifiers and ultrasonic.
In the first case, whatever water is poured into the tank, only pure water evaporates into the air and the salts are deposited inside the device inside the evaporation cartridge or in the tank with water .
In the second, the salts in the water are present in the droplets into which the water is split by ultrasonic vibrations, which means that they will pollute the air, settling over time on the furniture and, even more unpleasant, in our lungs. You can fight it either by using distillate or pre-filtering the water with ion-exchange resin, which removes the hardness salts.
In later models, the water is cleaned not only from salts but also from most bacteria and microorganisms contained in it, for which the device is set antibacterial filter, preheating to 80 ° C or saturation of water with silver ions sometimes in the same device applies several types of protection .
Silver ions are introduced into the water in the same way as in traditional humidifiers. The active and passive saturation systems work together to achieve an optimal concentration of silver ions in the water.
When all the water in the tank is used up, the appliance switches itself off automatically and indicates this with an indicator.
“Air washers.”
Deserve this name because the air in them actually washes! As in nature, rain and rainstorms wash dust, dirt and other impurities out of the air, saturating the atmosphere with moisture and humidity. These are what you might call “bath days,” and the morning and evening dews are regular hygiene procedures.
The device is a traditional humidifier with a set of plastic disks as an evaporation cartridge rotating like a mill wheel, the disks are humidified by passing through a container of water placed in the base. At the same time as humidifying, the air is purified by the adhesion of airborne impurities to the moist, rough surface of the discs.
And the effectiveness of air purification is quite high: the forces of adhesion with a wet surface retains particles down to 0.3 microns in size, which make up most of the contaminants in the air. They remain on the discs until they sink into the water.
Once in the water tank the dust particles will settle to the bottom, and for destroying different microorganisms in some models electrolysis or ionizing silver rod are used, in the other models a special hygienic additive is used.
Since, as a humidifier, “air washer” represents the traditional type where the humidity cannot exceed the natural threshold determined by the ambient air temperature, these units do not need monitoring devices and are completely safe.
Climate complex
Air cleaner and a humidifier of the traditional type combined here… By the way, this association allows you to increase the degree of air purification, because to the standard methods used in air purifiers, air is cleaned from impurities in the evaporator cassette, and previously vaporized particles are deposited when saturated with moisture in the atmosphere.
Accordingly, the way of water purification in climate complexes – antibacterial treatment of the evaporative filter used in traditional humidifiers. In a recent model, however, which is distinguished by a record high degree of sterilization, it is complemented by other highly effective original technology.
How to choose a humidifier?
How difficult this task is seen by how many different types of humidifiers there are. However, for the home can suit any type of humidifier, true steam – with two reservations: must be sure to control the humidity in the room with the climate control devices, and can not leave a child alone in the room where the steam humidifier.
But this is hardly worth it to give up the benefits that have a steam humidifier: the atmosphere of warm clear fog beneficial to both adults and children to cope with the cold and overload, and inhalation of hot air inhalation helps with respiratory diseases.
Price. As for price, although in any purchase we often have to focus primarily on the amount of contemptible metal in the purse, the type of humidifier this circumstance has little effect.
The thing is that relatively simple models of any type are practically in the same price category: 2-3,5 thousand, 2-3,5 thousand, and a half. Dollars. . However, additional equipment can raise the cost of the device several times. For example, a traditional humidifier with built-in hydrostat, ionizing rod, display and timer costs 4,5-5,5 thousand Dollars. Dollars .
The presence of a built-in hydrostat in steam humidifiers also increases the price to 4.5 thousand. rub., it should be kept in mind that the cost of hydrostat itself, without which the steam humidifier can not be operated in the house – from 900 to 1.4 thousand. Dollars., That is, if you buy a model without a built-in hydrostat, you won’t get any big savings.
The cost of the most well-equipped ultrasonic humidifiers already reaches 6.5-7.5 thousand: here are a variety of ways to disinfect water, such as heating and saturation with silver ions from the installation of a silver rod to the electronic system of active saturation , additional ionization of the air, the most comfortable control system touch panel, remote control, display, timer , as well as modern and elegant design.
Running costs for different types of humidifiers can vary greatly. So, a steam humidifier, which does not need replacement parts, they simply do not exist except for the company’s models, which use a cartridge to protect the device itself .
In the traditional type humidifier because of the salts contained in the water, deposited over time on the surface of the evaporative cartridge, it has to be replaced every 2-6 months and if there is no antibacterial protection, even more often .
The regularity of replacement depends on the salt concentration in water, i.e. its hardness: for example, a high concentration of carbonates in New York water reduces the life of the cartridge to 2-4 months. Price of cartridges is various and varies from 240 to 540 Dollars depending on technical parameters .
The same applies to ultrasonic humidifiers, and the lack of a cartridge in some models only means that instead you will have to regularly buy distilled water or spend money on filters for pre-treatment of water. As a result, the operation of traditional and ultrasonic humidifiers can sometimes incur costs comparable to the cost of the device itself.
The price of devices combining humidification with cleaning is significantly higher compared to “pure humidifiers”, which is quite reasonable, since here you basically pay for two devices at once.
So, the cost of “air washer” – from 5 to 17,6 thousand. Dollars., But in addition, it should be taken into account that, having spent a significant amount of money to purchase the device, in the future you will not spend a penny, if not to count the optional costs of hygiene additive for one of the models 500-900 rbl. for 5 months . For a climate system cost – 12,7 to 14 thousand euros , it’s really very convenient to use. Dollars. , which guarantees in addition to humidification virtually 100% air purification, air filter must also be replaced, so the operating costs are quite significant 1200-1800 Dollars per month . every 6-12 months .
Performance. If the choice of humidifier type depends on your preferences and capabilities, then such a defining parameter, such as performance ie, the amount of moisture evaporated by the device during the hour , strictly set the size of the room.
Usually the area or volume of the room for which the device is intended, listed in the price tag, but if it is missing, ask the seller the passport device: there capacity is given on the first line. In principle, for rooms of up to 50 square metres in size, the amount of moisture is a factor that determines the amount of moisture the unit can evaporate. m. 10 liters will be quite enough even with a 24-hour humidifier.
Ease of use. A very important point – how convenient the device is in operation. Those who appreciate comfort would certainly choose a device with automatic maintenance of the desired humidity level, equipped with a clear display. Do not forget to think about how long enough to refill water – are not too often you will have to do it.
One more thing: Since salts and airborne impurities do not only accumulate on the cartridge but also on the inside of the unit, making all humidifiers require regular cleaning, it is worth considering how easy it is to do so.
Household appliances are greatly influenced by such factors as: noise level, energy consumption and reliability. As for noise level, you can disregard this parameter – the fans in traditional and ultrasonic humidifiers are low-power and so quiet that they do not disturb you during the day or night, and in the steam humidifiers in general there is nothing to noise.
Power consumption of traditional and ultrasonic humidifiers is not greater than an electric light bulb, so they can be used without tangible losses for the family purse even around the clock.
The power of steam humidifiers is much higher – 400-500 W, but thanks to the high intensity of evaporation the target humidity value is reached in just a few minutes, after which the device switches off for a while this cyclic mode, which reduces the duration of operation, allows very economical use of electricity.
Lastly, the good name of the manufacturer guarantees the reliability of the humidifier as of any other device. And although the presence of a brand name can not but affect the price, but it is better to pay more once, than to constantly spend for repairs.
Air
The clean, warm and soothing air has a calming effect and steam humidifiers are also very efficient for hot inhalations. For greater therapeutic effect, you can add to the water, for example, a few drops of eucalyptus, and the scenting of the air proceeds more intensely than with traditional devices.
Steam temperature at close range from the device – about 50 ° C, so the only limitation when using a steam humidifier in the apartment – do not leave unattended a child.
Another area of application of this device is in greenhouses and conservatories the plants, which are native to the humid tropics, 80-100% humidity, which steam humidifiers can create, are the most favorable conditions.
Heating
Even when heated to 80 ° C, the temperature of the “cloud” at the outlet of the device does not exceed 40 ° C. Although the ultrasonic humidifier can increase the humidity up to 80%, you do not have to worry about over-humidification: once the humidity reaches a predetermined value, an automatic shutdown system triggers.
Ultrasonic devices – the most popular and widely used humidifiers: in homes – due to a combination of flexible humidity control with complete safety, in greenhouses and conservatories – by increasing the relative humidity up to 80%.
Besides, you can’t leave indifferent the ultramodern and very interesting design that turned this technical device into an interior decoration.
Why is dry air such a nuisance for Comrade Sukhov? Could someone shed light on the drawbacks of dry air and the benefits of using humidifiers in maintaining a comfortable living environment?