What is a humidifier for? Humidifiers: benefits or harm to health. Characteristics, beneficial and harmful properties of air humidifiers, how to choose. Cold type devices - traditional

To protect ourselves from street dust, car exhaust, heat and cold, we are forced to close the windows tightly. This prevents not only the penetration of harmful substances into the home, but also prevents the entry fresh air.

Have you ever felt tired or lack of energy for no apparent reason? The culprit of the malaise may be too dry air in the apartment. You can adjust the humidity range using a humidifier. Such a device will be a real salvation in the summer heat and will help people who suffer from chronic allergies get rid of unpleasant symptoms.

Functions of the device and areas of application of the humidifier

Doctors agree that the more often a person ventilates his living space, the less often he gets sick viral infections. It is important not only not to prevent fresh air from entering the apartment, but also to maintain a favorable level of humidity in the rooms. A humidifier will help with this. The device performs a number of functions:

cleans the air of dust and harmful impurities;
eliminates electrostatic charges;
enriches the air with moisture.

System climate control equipment used in various fields. First of all, people buy a device to take care of their own health. Low moisture content in the air negatively affects general condition person. Severe headaches begin to bother you, breathing becomes difficult, there is constriction in the chest. Against the background of these symptoms, a person experiences weakness, malaise and constant fatigue.

An air humidifier will be a salvation for people who suffer from chronic diseases of the respiratory system. The device has an inhalation function, which is suitable for carrying out medical procedures at home.

Attention! For good health, a person needs to maintain the level of humidity in the air ranging from 40 to 70%.

An air humidifier is a great find for housewives who grow flowers in the apartment. Dry air negatively affects plants, preventing their normal growth. In order for flowers to please the eye throughout the year, it is necessary to maintain a normal microclimate in the room and control the humidity range at 55-70%.

Collectors of stamps, coins, old books and other antiques know firsthand that the safety of valuable items depends on the conditions in which they are stored. Paper and various metals are extremely sensitive to dry climates. Therefore, philatelists, second-hand book dealers, and numismatists consider an air humidifier an integral attribute of any indoor space.

Why do you need a humidifier in winter?

Many people mistakenly believe that humidifying the air is only necessary in the summer. During the cold season, the humidity range in the apartment also requires correction. Work of various heating devices, batteries, heaters and convectors burn oxygen. This is fraught with excessive dry air. An air humidifier will help extend the life of your equipment. When static electricity accumulates, dust settles inside laptops, system units, TVs, and speaker systems.

In order for equipment to work longer and not break down prematurely, you need to monitor air humidity. An indispensable assistant V this issue There will be a climate control system that will eliminate electrostatic charges and minimize the amount of dust in an apartment, house or any other room.

What is the benefit of the device for a child?

Birth of a child - an important event in the life of every family. From the first days, parents try to surround the baby with care, create for him excellent conditions. Our mothers and grandmothers also knew how important it is to maintain the microclimate in the apartment. Humidifiers and other newfangled devices did not exist in those years, so they used improvised means. Pots of water were placed under the radiators, and wet towels were hung in the rooms. Dry air is quite dangerous for babies, especially in their first days of life. An unfavorable level of humidity is fraught with a lot of negative aspects:

is formed in the air a large number of particles of dust and microbes, which, when entering Airways the child is provoked to develop various diseases;
microcracks and wounds may appear on the baby’s skin, which can cause skin infection;
the blood becomes thicker, which interferes with the normal functioning of internal organs;
Due to unfavorable conditions, the child may experience a deterioration in the quality of sleep and general condition.

Doctors say that it is necessary to humidify the air in an apartment where a small child is located. But moderation is good in everything. Experts warn young mothers: do not oversaturate the living space with moisture. In such an environment, fungus multiplies quickly and mold appears on the walls. Fungal spores cause allergic reactions and reduce the immunity of not only children, but also adults.

Parents who installed an air humidifier in their apartment note that their little children’s sleep has returned to normal, the condition of their skin and hair has significantly improved, and they are less bothered by infectious diseases and allergies.

How to choose the right humidifier for your home

On modern market There is a wide range of devices designed to maintain a favorable level of air humidity. The main thing is not to get confused in the variety of samples presented and choose the most optimal option.

Traditional models

Such devices are called cold-type humidifiers, the principle of operation of which is very simple. The required amount of water is poured into a special tank, the moisture falls on the evaporation elements. Using a fan, dry air enters the device, passes under pressure through the evaporative elements and is enriched with moisture. The advantages of traditional devices are obvious:

low price;
there is a mode of not only humidification, but also air purification;
consume an insignificant amount of electricity;
easy to use;
used for aromatherapy.

If we talk about the disadvantages of such an air humidifier, there are few of them. Each model releases only a certain amount of moisture into the air, no more than 60%. If the device has antibacterial filters, they must be changed several times a year.

Steam humidifiers

The most popular model today. The device works on the principle of a teapot. The water inside the tank heats up and gradually evaporates. For convenience, each model is equipped with a built-in hygrostat, with which you can control the degree of air humidification. The device has a number of positive characteristics:

there is no need to frequently change filters and cartridges due to their absence;
covers a fairly large area of the room;
automatically turns off after all the moisture in the tank has evaporated.

Manufacturers steam humidifiers It is highly recommended not to install these types of devices in a child’s room. The temperature of the steam produced is quite high and if the humidifier is handled carelessly, the child risks getting burned.

Ultrasonic humidifiers

Principle of operation ultrasonic humidifiers based on ultrasonic vibrations that disperse water. So-called water dust forms inside the device. Dry air enters the device using a fan, passes through water dust and is saturated with moisture. Positive sides ultrasonic humidifier:

at the most high efficiency spends least amount electricity;
does not make noise and does not overheat;
turns off automatically;
humidifies and purifies the air;
differs in a wide range of air humidity levels (up to 70%).

Attention! To extend the life of the filters, monitor the quality of the water poured into the device.

The device is safe and ergonomic, but has very high cost compared to other models. But rest assured, the device will not only pay for itself, but also correct operation will work for many years.

Improved household appliance. The principle of its operation is similar to a traditional humidifier. The device contains several types of filters, which allows you to combat dust particles different sizes, ticks, smog and unpleasant odors indoors. The advantages of the design include:

high operating efficiency with relatively small sizes unit;
the presence of various functions that are not found in other humidifiers.

Owners of climate control systems note that despite the good performance of the devices, they have one obvious drawback. Filters have to be replaced quite often.

Reference! Many devices of this type provide additional functions: ionization and air purification.

How to choose a good humidifier

There are few nuances that need to be taken into account when choosing technology. First of all, pay attention to the performance of the device. Ask the seller what area the humidifier is designed for. If you are choosing a device for a small room, there is no point in overpaying for a powerful model designed to work in a spacious room.

An important factor is the noise level of the equipment. The maximum permissible value is no more than 40 dB. In order not to experience discomfort when working with the device, choose a humidifier with a clear and as simple as possible control panel. Experts recommend Special attention pay attention to the issue of safety. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for a device that turns off automatically if there is no water in the tank.

The benefits and harms of a humidifier are discussed in many forums. Doctors recommend having the device in your home. Let’s now try to figure out what’s special about this miracle technology and how to use it.

Why do you need a humidifier?

From the name of the device one can already conclude that its direct purpose is air humidification. The main benefit of an air humidifier is in the summer, when the weather outside is hot and dry. The device allows you to maintain optimal indoor humidity within the range of 40-60%. Many may wonder why this is necessary. The fact is that a person consists of 74% water. Constantly staying inside a dry room has a negative impact on health. A person’s health deteriorates, the mucous membranes dry out, and microcracks appear on the body. The moisture evaporator helps restore the microclimate, favorable to man, pets and plants.

Important! A humidifier will help normalize the air in winter time during heating operation and when heating devices are turned on.

Types of humidifiers

Before looking for advice on the dangers or benefits of a humidifier, you should familiarize yourself with existing varieties device. Each device has different properties, is capable of maintaining a certain level of moisture, and has its own pros and cons. Three types of humidifiers are considered the most common in everyday life.

Cold model

The simplest type of device is also called traditional, natural or classic. Distinctive feature is silent operation. A fan is installed inside the device body, taking air from the room and driving it through a damp sponge - an evaporator. The last element is additionally a filter. The sponge is impregnated with an antibacterial solution. The vapor cloud of water supplied to the room is completely cleansed of bacteria. Thanks to the installed silver rod, the humidifier has the ability to ionize the indoor air with each steam supply.

There are traditional models with additional sensors humidity, hygrostat, antibacterial cassette. The device consumes little electricity and is easy to maintain. Maintenance consists of timely topping up water, cleaning the tank from sediment, washing or replacing the filter.

Steam model

A working evaporator resembles a boiling kettle. Water is boiling inside the tank. The resulting steam is released into the room in streams. When all the water has boiled away, the device will automatically turn off. A steam humidifier does more good than harm. The steam that enters the room is always sterile, since boiling kills all microbes. If we take a cold humidifier for comparison, then if the antibacterial filter fails, such a device will only cause harm. Microbes will get inside the room along with sprayed water.

The steam model consumes a lot of electricity, but it only works for a short time. The device is similar to a traditional evaporator, only electrodes for heating water are additionally installed inside the container. If the device is not equipped with a hygrometer and a hygrostat, then it is advisable to purchase sensors separately. There are models with additional containers for essential oil, allowing you to practice aromatherapy.

Advice! You can get the most benefit from a steam humidifier by placing it in your child's room. However, you need to remember about hot steam. To prevent the child from getting burned, the humidifier is placed in an inaccessible place.

Ultrasonic model

A modern air humidifier is packed with electronics. The device is equipped with a hygrostat and hygrometer. Many models are available with an LCD display. Electronics allows you to remotely control functions, signals a filter malfunction, and turns off the device if there is no water in the tank.

The main benefit of an ultrasonic humidifier is to accurately maintain the required humidity level. This is clearly monitored by electronic sensors. Water turns into a vapor cloud due to ultrasonic vibrations. The release of cold mist into the room occurs due to the operation of the fan.

Important! If you pour untreated water into an ultrasonic humidifier, you can harm the environment of your apartment. Over time, it will appear on walls, furniture, and glass objects. white coating solid deposits.

Is a humidifier useful in an apartment?

For humans, the optimal air humidity is 40-60%. The microclimate in a city apartment is often too dry gas stoves, air conditioners, working heating, heaters. Harm is caused not only to human health, but also to domestic animals and vegetation. Dry air tends to quickly become polluted with dust. Small animal hair and dust mites enter the respiratory tract, causing allergies. Dry air even worsens the quality of human skin, which can be determined by the formation of peeling.

Important! Studies have shown that dry air is harmful wooden products. Door blocks, furniture, and parquet are drying out. Laminate flooring dries out and cracks.

The benefits of a humidifier are described in the video:

Benefits of a humidifier for children

Pediatricians talk about the benefits of a humidifier for a child. The following important factors are highlighted:

Dry air harms the mucous membranes of children. A low concentration of moisture leads to a deterioration in the structure of mucus. Bacteria that cause sinusitis, rhinitis and other diseases penetrate through dry airways.
The vaporizer will benefit the child in the form of accelerated recovery. If there is a lack of moisture, then there is a risk of drying out the bronchial mucus. It becomes more difficult for the child to breathe, and there is a risk of bronchitis or pneumonia.
Dust and pet hair cause enormous harm to children's health. The humidifier suppresses airborne allergens.
A useful moisturizer for an infant, which affects good sleep. The newborn is less capricious.

Maintaining an optimal level of air humidity in the children's room has a positive effect on the child's regular heat exchange process.

Humidifier during pregnancy

Pregnant women benefit from a humidifier. First of all, the process of air ionization improves immunity. The expectant mother's body is better able to resist pathogens. With an optimal level of humidity, pregnancy proceeds easier. The woman does not suffer from dehydration and is full of vital energy.

Advice! Use with a soothing humidifier essential oils allows you to normalize the state of the nervous system.

How to use a humidifier correctly

Each evaporator model is different in design and has its own properties. In order not to harm the body, you must follow the rules for using the device. It is important to read the instructions before using the humidifier. For almost all devices, the following rules must be observed:

The optimal location is the center of the room. The evaporator is not placed on the floor. A stand about 1 m high is needed.
If there are children in the house, the device is placed out of reach.
To prevent the vaporous spray of water from damaging the environment, the nozzle is turned away from furniture, electronics, and walls.
Any water tends to deposit solid accumulations. In order not to cause harm to the device, promptly clean the filter, reservoir, and other working parts specified in the instructions.
In the absence of a built-in hygrometer, the user controls the humidity level in the room independently.
It is advisable to maintain a constant air temperature indoors from 20 to 24 o C and do regular ventilation.

The operating time of the humidifier is determined automatically. If the device is not equipped with sensors, it is advisable to purchase them separately. The operating time will have to be adjusted manually. Filters are usually changed every three months. For evaporators located in the children's room, the filter is changed monthly. In order not to receive harm from the humidifier, but only benefit, distilled or high-quality filtered water is poured.

Attention! Together with tap water the evaporator saturates the room with chlorine impurities.

Can you add essential oils to a humidifier?

A humidifier can be used for aromatherapy, but not every device will do. You will need to purchase an evaporator with an air washing function or a special model with an oil compartment. There's a lot of talk these days about the benefits of essential oils for a humidifier, but you can't overdo them. An aroma vaporizer will create a wonderful atmosphere in the room, but the oils can be harmful to people with allergies, those with bronchitis, pregnant and nursing mothers, and infants. It all depends on what plant the oil is obtained from. If there is a listed contingent of people in the house, aromatherapy is practiced with the permission of a doctor.

Why is a humidifier harmful?

If used incorrectly, harm can result from any household appliance. As for the evaporator, the following points are highlighted:

You can get burned from a steam evaporator if you come into contact with steam. The downside is the increase in temperature in the room during operation, which is undesirable in the hot summer. The vapor can cause damage to any object it touches.
The harm of a cold humidifier is that it contaminates the air. Such a nuisance occurs if the filter is not changed in time.
An ultrasonic evaporator can be harmful if filled with untreated water. Solid impurities will quickly settle on the surface of all objects in the room.

If you follow the rules of use, you will only receive benefits from household helpers.

Is it possible to catch a cold and get sick from a humidifier?

Colds most often appear with the onset of damp weather. The same thing happens when using a humidifier. When the evaporator maintains normal air humidity, the respiratory tract produces required amount mucus. With severe waterlogging, the amount of mucus increases. Bacteria begin to multiply. A cold appears, which can result in a sore throat.

Humidifier for bronchitis

The disease bronchitis lasts a long time, especially in a dry room. Lack of moisture affects the appearance of mucus clots. The patient has difficulty breathing. Dry mucus cannot be coughed up. If the humidifier maintains normal air humidity levels, the patient will recover faster. However, you can’t overdo it with hydration. If the air humidity is high, a patient with bronchitis runs the risk of getting pneumonia.

Is an ultrasonic humidifier harmful?

Ultrasonic evaporators operate at a frequency of 20 kHz, which is completely safe for the entire living environment. However, the device, along with its benefits, brings harm. Perfect clean water impossible to find for filling. Harmful impurities will definitely be present. Together with spraying, they settle not only on objects, but also enter the human body through the respiratory tract. Ultrasound models can cause harm in the form of asthma, colds, bronchitis, and allergies.

Attention! Do not use the ultrasonic humidifier near a pacemaker.

Doctors' opinions on humidifiers

Medical advice on the benefits of an air humidifier boils down to the fact that every home should have the device. Dry air is not only harmful to health, but dangerous for it. In addition to the fact that the skin and mucous membrane suffer, dryness has a bad effect on the functioning of the heart.

As for the harm of a vaporizer, doctors also have a firm position. A strong concentration of moisture threatens the emergence of chronic diseases. Mold develops indoors, negatively affecting human health.

How to choose the right humidifier

To ensure that a household appliance does not cause harm, but only benefit, when choosing a model, adhere to the following rules:

Productivity must correspond to the volume of the room. You cannot take the device with a reserve.
Electricity consumption depends on power. Steam models are considered the most energy-intensive.
A working device should not make noise. The optimal level is allowed in the range of 34-40 dB.
Compactness is not best indicator evaporator. Small tanks will have to be refilled with water frequently. It is optimal to give preference to models with a capacity of 5 liters.
Additional functions are chosen at your discretion. It is important to have a built-in hygrometer and hygrostat.

When the home assistant has been selected according to all parameters, you can pay attention to the design and find a model at an affordable price.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of an air humidifier depend only on how a person uses the device. With the right approach, the evaporator will help create a microclimate indoors that is favorable for all household inhabitants.

Did you find this article useful?

Air humidifiers are designed to maintain the level of humidity in rooms where the air is overdried by work. central heating or the ventilation system is broken.

Air humidity is a factor affecting the quality of life, performance, disease resistance and well-being of a person, therefore it is important to maintain and regulate the level of humidity in living and working spaces.

Air humidifiers: purpose, types

Air humidifiers differ in their operating principle and, depending on it, are divided into four types, three of which are used in everyday life:

1. Cold humidifiers.

2. Steam humidifiers.

3. Ultrasonic humidifiers.

4. Spray humidifiers (used in industry).

Cold humidifiers

Cold steam humidifiers are considered traditional, the principle of which is to evaporate water without heating, in a natural way.

Water is poured into special tanks, from which it is supplied to a tray, from which it passes to the evaporative elements.

In such humidifiers, air is driven by a fan through a special cartridge, which accumulates dust, further purifying the air.

Cold steam humidifiers independently regulate the level of humidity in the room: if the air is dry, the performance of the humidifier is up to five times higher than with humidified air.

Cold humidifiers are filled with distilled water to prevent salts found in hard water from contaminating the humidifying cartridge.

Steam humidifiers

The second type of humidifiers used in apartments is steam humidifiers.

The work is based on the principle of boiling water - evaporation of liquid through heating. The process resembles Electric kettle: Voltage applied to the electrodes heats the water. Water heated to desired temperature, boils and evaporates. When the water has boiled completely, the circuit opens and the humidifier turns off. automatic mode.

This operating principle guarantees the safety of using humidifiers.

Steam humidifiers are equipped with an air humidity sensor that turns off the device when the room humidity reaches a set value. Automatic sensors humidity do not allow the rooms to become waterlogged, therefore they are common in children's rooms, where there are increased requirements for the level of humidity.

Ultrasonic humidifiers

The third type of home humidifiers is ultrasonic.

The water in them is poured into a special tank, from which it flows onto a plate that vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency.

The plate turns water into a fine suspension, which is sprayed by a fan throughout the room, turning into a vapor state.

Ultrasonic humidifiers create a gentle mist that is cool and damp and poses no danger to people, animals or plants.

Ultrasonic humidifiers guarantee precise humidity control and minimal noise levels.

They are equipped not only with hydrostats, but also with special displays that allow you to control the device using the control panel.

Humidifiers: what are the benefits for the body?

In everyday life, humidifiers are designed to saturate the air with moisture, helping to avoid problems caused by insufficiently humidified air.

1. Help for the eyes.

Dry room air has an irritating, adverse effect on the mucous membrane of the eyes. As a result, dry eye syndrome occurs, forcing you to contact ophthalmologists. Eye inflammation is caused by microbes and viruses that thrive in dry air.

Insufficient humidity air increases the strain on the eyes, due to which they quickly become overtired.

A humidifier creates a favorable environment that prevents dryness and inflammation of the eyes and reduces eye strain.

2. Fighting infections.

Some viral diseases that cause colds are spread by airborne droplets. The human body protects itself from infection through the functions of the skin and mucous membranes. Dry air leads to their drying out and, as a result, to a decrease in protective functions.

Beneficial features humidifier will increase the body's resistance to viral diseases and strengthen the immune system.

3. Extra Energy.

Dry, cold room air does not saturate the blood with sufficient oxygen, which leads to exhaustion of the body and causes a feeling of fatigue.

A humidifier will allow the body to work at full strength, providing suitable conditions.

4. Benefits for plants.

Plants develop better in rooms with high humidity, as dry air dries out the foliage. In its turn, healthy plants saturate the air with oxygen, and some absorb harmful substances. A healthy indoor microclimate is created through the interaction of oxygen levels and humidity.

5. Healthy skin.

Proper skin hydration, which prolongs youth and gives beauty and health, is ensured not only from the inside, but also from the outside.

A humidifier will prevent your skin from drying out and give you a healthy look.

Humidifiers: what are the health risks?

A humidifier will only cause harm if it is abused.

Control indoor humidity levels and avoid over-watering.

Excessive room humidity combined with high temperature creates a favorable environment for the proliferation of microorganisms. Maintain room humidity up to 60% and then the humidifier will not cause any harm to the body.

High humidity in a room can cause mold to grow, which is extremely harmful for people with allergies and asthma.

Use humidifiers that produce hot steam with caution. due to the risk of burns. Another dangerous point will be the increase in temperature in the room where the steam humidifier is used: it is the high temperature of the room with increased level humidity leads to the spread of pathogens.

Humidifiers cause harm to the body which use untreated water. Salts and harmful compounds, sprayed into the air, enter the body; to a greater extent, this problem concerns ultrasonic humidifiers.

It is important to change the cleaning cartridge on time, since the contaminants accumulated in it over time turn into a source of pathogenic bacteria.

Current issue influence remains ultrasonic waves on the human body. The harm of ultrasonic waves on people has not been scientifically proven; the belief that ultrasonic humidifiers have a negative impact on health is based on a myth.

For pregnant and nursing mothers: harm from a humidifier

For pregnant and nursing mothers, a humidifier is only harmful if used excessively.

If you avoid over-humidified air, in which active proliferation of microorganisms occurs, the humidifier will not cause any harm.

Ultrasonic humidifiers do not provide negative influence on the body, therefore harmless to pregnant women.

A humidifier can even help create a microclimate in which pregnancy proceeds easily. Humid air prevents the body from becoming exhausted, improves well-being and gives energy, which is especially important for young mothers.

Humidifier for children: good or bad

Pediatricians confirm that wet air in a children's room prevents health problems for the child, so the benefits of an air humidifier in a child's room are undeniable.

The beneficial properties of air humidifiers will improve your baby's life from the first days of his life.

The main reasons for the need for a humidifier for children:

1. Children's sensitivity to environmental conditions is higher than that of adults. High room temperature with humidity less than 20% creates a large thermal load on the child’s body, causing disturbances in its functioning.

2. Insufficient humidity, which provokes the development of microbes, causes bronchopulmonary diseases in infants.

3. A child’s respiratory system develops until the age of ten, so it is important to maintain conditions that ensure its proper development. To ensure normal oxygen exchange, good ventilation of the lungs is needed, provided breathing movements, decreasing and increasing lung volume.

4. A child's breathing is more frequent than that of an adult, which increases the risk of ingestion. harmful microbes.

5. Dry air causes the child’s mucous membrane to dry out: the mucous membrane in the nose becomes covered with a thin crust, which makes the baby’s breathing difficult, causing rhinitis and otitis media.

6. Infants have difficulty breastfeeding in dry air.

7. Children under one year old partially breathe through their skin, so it is very important not to let it dry out.

8. Irritation appears on the baby’s dry skin, which causes discomfort to the child.

9. Children who sleep in a room with a humidifier sleep soundly and longer, suffer less from respiratory diseases and are less capricious. daytime.

10. The metabolism of young children is more intense than that of adults, so the child’s body produces more heat. In childhood, the lungs, not the skin, are responsible for heat exchange. When the air is dry, children lose a lot of fluid, which can lead to thickening of the blood and disruption of the child’s body.

11. Low humidity climate causes kidney problems in children and provokes dysbacteriosis.

The benefits of a humidifier for children's health in the process of organism development is undeniable.

Nowadays, devices that allow you to regulate such important parameters air such as temperature, ionization and humidity. Let's talk about the latter.

Household humidifiers did not appear yesterday, but they did not gain much popularity: the humidifiers offered by the Soviet industry for household use sprayed water into the air from special nozzles. Moisture settled on various surfaces, which was not only unpleasant, but also dangerous - moisture could get inside the electrical appliance, causing it to fail. Modern ultrasonic humidifiers do not have this drawback, due to the principle of their operation. With the help of ultrasound, droplets so small are “knocked out” from the surface of the water that when they fall into the air, they are “weighed”, that is, held by the Brownian motion of air molecules.

Air humidity is a factor that is especially significant in a home where there are small children. Of course, everyone wants only the best for their children, but how often, armed with good intentions, we “do good and do good.” Let's try to figure out whether a humidifier is needed in the house, or whether it is better to limit ourselves to traditional wet cleaning.

First, let's decide why we need to additionally humidify the air in the room? Where does natural moisture go? The two biggest enemies of humidity are heaters and air conditioners.

What causes humidity to decrease?

Sometimes you hear that heaters “burn out” or “evaporate” moisture. This is obviously not true: it is impossible to burn off moisture; water, as you know, does not burn. “Evaporation” of moisture also does not threaten, the water is already in in good condition is in the air in the form of vapor, otherwise there would be fog in our room, and dew would fall on the furniture. Why do heaters reduce humidity?

The fact is that when we talk about humidity in residential premises, we mean, first of all, relative humidity, because it is this that affects health and well-being.

Relative humidity measured as a percentage, which shows the ratio of the amount of water in the air to the amount of water that the air could, in principle, contain at a given temperature. The higher the air temperature, the more “capacious” it is for water.

What happens when air heats up? Obviously, its temperature rises, its “capacity” increases. Thus, the denominator of the fraction of relative humidity increases, and, consequently, the value of relative humidity itself (with a constant value of the absolute amount of water in the air) decreases. The relative humidity in the room drops.

What happens when using an air conditioner? The idea of “freezing out” moisture in an air conditioner is just as untenable as “evaporating” air in a heater. When the air is cooled, its “capacity” decreases, the relative humidity quickly increases to more than one hundred percent, the “excess” moisture contained in water turns into liquid state and are deleted. It is this water that drips from drainage pipes protruding from the walls of air-conditioned buildings.

The air entering the room from the air conditioner has almost one hundred percent humidity. But relative humidity, as we already know, depends on temperature. The air from the air conditioner gets into warm room, heats up, its “water demand” (relative humidity denominator) increases. The air is ready to absorb “its” water back, but it has already leaked out into the street through the drainage pipe. Once again the relative humidity becomes lower.

Pros and cons

So, we have found out that additional air humidification is really necessary and beneficial, now let's figure out whether using household humidifiers will cause harm. To do this, let's look at the typical complaints and concerns of humidifier users.

“I started using a humidifier to escape the heat; it became impossible to breathe in the apartment without it.” First you need to separate the concepts of “hot” and “stuffy”. Although these concepts are close and interconnected, they are not identical. “Stuffiness” is, firstly, the lack of fresh air. No humidifier will ever replace banal ventilation.

Secondly, it is always stuffy where it is hot and humid. Humid heat is always much worse tolerated than dry heat. Tropical heat is more oppressive than desert heat, although temperatures in the desert are significantly higher. If you don’t want to go to the desert and the tropics, then you can conduct a small visual experiment here: just compare your sensations from a dry sauna and a wet Russian bath at the same air temperature. The result will be obvious.

Unfortunately, children most often suffer from the heat at home. Unfortunately, there is still an opinion that it must be hot in the room where the child is. Heaters, heaters, and convectors are added to central heating radiators. And if (as always with the best intentions) a humidifier is turned on in a hotly heated room... A bath at home is provided.

What to do, since heaters dry the air and humidification is necessary? Yes, it is necessary to humidify the air, but not as a replacement for ventilation and normal temperature conditions. If you want it to not be stuffy, open the window and turn off the heater; the temperature in the living room (especially where there are small children) should not exceed 20-23 degrees.

- “We had this humidifier, so the child did not get out of his sores. When it came to obstructive bronchitis, they gave up the humidifier.” That's right high humidity– an ideal habitat for microorganisms, including pathogens. Especially if the humidity is associated with high temperature, as we have already discussed above. Humidity must be carefully monitored, because high humidity is no less harmful than low humidity.

To control humidity you need to purchase special device– hygrometer. There are humidifiers with built-in hygrometers, but in this case it is necessary to remember that if the humidifier is turned on, the built-in hygrometer will show the humidity near the humidification source, which means that its readings will always be slightly higher than the average humidity in the room.

The undoubted benefit of a humidifier with a built-in hygrostat is a humidity sensor that automatically turns off the humidifier when the humidity in the room reaches a preset value. If there is none, and we will monitor the humidity ourselves, then a comfortable relative humidity value is in the range of 45-60%. For small children, the humidity can be increased slightly - up to 50-70%.

- “An ultrasonic humidifier causes only one harm - all the furniture and the TV screen are covered in a whitish coating that is difficult to wash off. And the water from it is dead.” Ultrasound is just high-frequency sound waves that are not perceptible to the human ear. Ultrasound does not affect the structure of water in any way, and all talk about “dead water” is from the realm of science fiction.

But salt deposits are true. Unlike steam humidifiers, which supply steam into the air, leaving salts inside, an ultrasonic humidifier throws water into the air along with all the substances soluble in it. In this sense, the water from an ultrasonic humidifier is much more “alive” than from a steam one. In order to avoid the appearance of plaque, it is recommended to use distilled water in ultrasonic humidifiers. And this must be reported in the manufacturer’s instructions accompanying the humidifier.

So, let's summarize: are steam and ultrasonic humidifiers harmful, or can and should they be used? With full responsibility we can say: household humidifiers air is certainly necessary and useful, but they will only bring benefits if they are used in compliance with a number of conditions:

Before turning on the device, read the instructions and do not neglect its requirements. In particular, do not use tap water to fill ultrasonic humidifiers.
If the device is not equipped with a gyrostat, monitor the humidity yourself using a hygrometer. Remember that excess humidity causes no less harm than insufficient humidity. Relative air humidity should be between 45-60% for adults or 50-70% for children.
Under no circumstances should you try to replace humidification with ventilation and air temperature control. The normal air temperature in a living room is 20-23 degrees.

If your home is hot, you suffer from respiratory diseases, or you have small children, do not hesitate to buy a humidifier. But don't forget about the conditions beneficial use of this device.

So we realized that an air humidifier is very useful and used wisely. But which model should you choose? In our opinion, the German Smower Multi Action humidifiers have proven themselves best. The company has a good reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality climate control equipment. In addition to the humidifier, this device also contains an air purifier, which makes it even more valuable.

Today the humidifier has become with a familiar device, which can be found in almost any apartment or country house. Let's consider why it is needed, the scope of its application, as well as those cases when the presence of this equipment in the house is simply necessary.

First, it’s worth deciding on the terminology. A humidifier is a device used to increase moisture content in the air, which decreases due to several possible reasons:

Application additional devices heating - convectors, heat fans, etc., which very much “dry” the air in the room, literally burning oxygen.
Wrong organization air flow in a residential area (apartment, house). This happens due to incorrect design, incorrect placement of windows and doors. In this case, it is necessary to have a humidifier at least in the bedroom and rooms where the owner spends a lot of time.
The “sunny” side of the windows, which is why the apartment can always be hot and excessively dry.
Extremely tall and low temperatures when the level of moisture in the air decreases due to natural reasons (summer and winter).

It should be mentioned that there is a peculiar humidity level coefficient, which is necessary for a comfortable life and ensuring an optimal level of operation for equipment:

For humans it ranges from 40 to 75%. This information comes from many studies. The calculation was based on the “comfort zone”, when breathing is uniform and a person does not have to use additional effort to inhale (unconscious breathing). By the way, in the desert the humidity is approximately 30%, and breathing becomes difficult, it attracts attention, while in some apartments, during heating season, with completely sealed windows, humidity can reach up to 25%.
In the case of plants, the coefficient is not lower than 50%. For normal growth, most house flowers need high humidity, imitating the natural conditions of their original habitat.
Books and antiques – from 40%.
Furniture items – from 35%.
Electrical appliances (including large Appliances and complex devices based on microchips and motherboards) - from 45 to 65%.

This table is very arbitrary and depends on many factors and operational characteristics.

The context of the required level of humidity may change depending on the circumstances in which the person or object is located.

Main Applications

When asked why you need an air humidifier in an apartment, you can easily answer the following:

Firstly, for reasons taking care of your health. Dry air is not good for the human body, and not all houseplants are able to maintain their existence in “arid climates”, they need moisture, not only in the form constant watering, but also in the form of the required moisture content in the air of a closed room. The human body needs moisture no less. In conditions of low humidity (below 40%), people may experience weakness, discomfort, lack of strength, dizziness, and a whole range of other symptoms that can be mistakenly attributed to diseases. In reality, it is worth bringing the humidity level to the comfort zone, and some of the problems can be eliminated.
Secondly, humidifiers are needed for ionization (it is better if the device has such a function) and cleaning the room from dust and microscopic dirt. Dirt and dust settle in the existing filters, which, after washing or replacing, are ready for use again. This is very important factor, which makes the device useful, and in some cases (poor environmental conditions of the area in which the house is located) even irreplaceable. In addition, the humidification function has a positive effect not only on health, but also on the entire microclimate of the apartment (flowers), and ionizers saturate oxygen with negatively charged particles.
Thirdly, air humidifiers are needed for those who experience various types of problems with respiratory system and for a comfortable life they need to maintain a certain level of air humidity. The inhalation function, which is present in the humidifier, deserves special mention. It is quite often used in hospitals and clinics.

Practical benefits

Some users wonder if a humidifier is really necessary. Theoretically, it is always necessary, in almost any home, since the humidity level is rarely able to independently maintain itself at the proper level. Constant climate change contributes to this sharp drop temperatures and humidity, magnetic storms and many other natural aspects.

If a person understands that he still needs this device for everyday use, one more question remains to be answered, namely, why do you need a humidifier at home? In addition to the advantages listed above, you can also note safety of some things, which for long-term storage a certain constant level of air humidity is required. It is no secret that rare silks and clothes made from certain types of fabrics do not like arid climates; the structure of the fabric fibers is such that without the necessary moisture they simply begin to dry out.

A few words about the dangers of low humidity levels and the benefits of humidifiers:

Books and magazines, as well as collectible stamps and coins, must be stored in a specially humidified room. Antique metals and paper are extremely sensitive to arid climates. However, it is important to observe moderation here.
Furniture, especially wood and chipboard, is also not preserved very well in low humidity. Wood (even its most durable varieties) begins to dry out, and cracks may appear on the surface of objects.
Do not forget that an arid climate (less than 30% moisture in a room) is a source of harmful diseases, since in dry conditions the dust becomes light (“volatile”) and does not remain in a bound state, but swirls around the room. When properly moistened, dust particles swell and settle on the surface of objects, from where they can be easily cleaned off. And a significant part of them ends up in the purifier itself and remains on the filter. Thus, the climate inside the house becomes cleaner and safer.
Dust tends to get inside equipment, especially in places where static electricity accumulates. A thick layer of dust can cause damage, so it is recommended to occasionally clean the devices from dust. The use of humidifiers, although it does not solve this problem completely, helps to significantly reduce the level of “dust” in the room, and ionization “disperses” the dust, further improving the microclimate of the apartment or house.
Dry skin can often be associated with low humidity in a house or apartment. And this is another argument in favor of why you still need a humidifier. Sometimes just starting to use the device is enough to make sure that daily use of body and hand creams is not at all necessary. The skin is not the only thing that can be affected negative impact. Due to lack of hydration, all mucous membranes, eyes, nose, and even throat suffer. Constant dry mouth is not always synonymous with thirst; it may be due to an excessively dry climate. Watery eyes are a fairly common problem, especially familiar to those who suffer from allergic diseases. For such people, an air humidifier is simply vital, because “dry” dust carries the main allergens (pollen flowering plants, wool, etc.).

As you can see, a wide area practical application humidifier at home, speaks of its versatility and usefulness.

Conclusion

Air humidifier – what and why is it needed? As practice shows, to ensure a constant level of humidity in the house, as close to ideal as possible. Among its additional functions we can note cleaning the air from harmful dust and saturation of oxygen with negatively charged ions. As a result, there is a decrease in the negative factor affecting health. The risk of allergic reactions, bronchial and asthmatic complications is reduced by purifying and saturating the air. Humidifiers are useful and affordable devices.