Humidifier cold and hot steam. How to choose a steam humidifier: reviews and recommendations
Humidifiers today are increasingly reclaiming room space from another household appliances. What humidifier to choose?
Humidifiers by type of humidification
All humidifiers on the market can be divided into two large groups:
- with warm steam;
- with cold steam.
Which one is better? is an issue requiring detailed consideration.
Both types moisturize the room, maintain an optimal level of moisture in the air, relieving you of problems with dry skin, mucous membranes and static electricity.
"Cold" humidifiers
The main advantage of such devices is the absence of a heating element. Evaporation of water in them occurs naturally. Inside the adiabatic type humidifier are plastic discs that act as an evaporative element. The fan sucks in water from the room and drives it through these rotating discs, causing the water to rise up. Cool steam perfectly moisturizes the air, regardless of the room temperature. True, "cold" humidifiers should be chosen with a temperature and humidity sensor. Otherwise, you risk exceeding the level of moisture in the room, which means that the skin will be sticky, mold may appear in the room, pathogenic bacteria may begin to actively develop, which, in turn, will lead to health problems. Cold type ultrasonic humidifiers require the use of distilled water, otherwise a white coating will appear in the room. Is there a cold mist humidifier without these problems? Of course. This is a Sharp humidifier, which is based on the principle of natural evaporation of moisture. Unlike analogues, this climatic complex a four-stage air purification system is used, including a HEPA filter that captures more than 650 types of pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms, as well as highly sensitive sensors for humidity, temperature, pollution and an odor indicator. Thanks to this, the room maintains an optimal level of relative humidity, harmful microorganisms are eliminated and there is no white coating even when using ordinary tap water.
"Warm" Humidifiers
Unlike cold steam, warm steam can burn the mucous membranes in the nasal passages if such a humidifier is placed too close to the bed. That is why they are not recommended for use in children. They have a heating element, as a result of which they require the use of only distilled water. Otherwise, you will have a white coating in your room. Steam humidifiers increase the air temperature, therefore, in the summer they will create discomfort in the room. They promote the growth of bacteria, mold fungi, which means that you will need additional means of protection against harmful microorganisms - air purifiers and ionizers.
Ramili Baby AH770 Ultrasonic Humidifier for Nursery
Cold evaporation humidifiers: cleanliness and comfort in your home
How to avoid white plaque while using humidifiers? What is the most effective and safe method of moisturizing? How to saturate the air with moisture and not affect its temperature? Cold evaporation humidifiers are your way to make your home clean and fresh.
Helpful and safe
Three types of humidifiers are used in everyday life:
- traditional (cold steam).
- steam (hot steam).
- ultrasonic.
On an industrial scale, automizers are used - spray type humidifiers.
Traditional humidifiers are the simplest and safest devices. Their operation is based on the principle of natural evaporation.
The design of the device consists of three key working elements:
- water tank.
- drum plate.
- fan.
Plastic drums for 2/3 parts are placed in a container with water. A fan is located above the drums. The rotation of the drums ensures that the plates are constantly moistened. The fan takes dry air from the room, passes it over damp surfaces and directs it back into the room. Water molecules “volatilize” into the air naturally without heating.
The simplest humidifiers of this type use paper filters. In them, water rises to the surface through capillaries. Most modern devices work without replaceable paper filters, but with plastic rotating discs.
Can a cold evaporation humidifier purify the air?
- The process of cleaning the air with a traditional humidifier is quite simple. Dust, when it hits a wet disc, lingers on its surface. During rotation, the surface is lowered into the water and cleaned of contaminants. While cleaning the appliance, you will find a ball of "dirt" collected from the room at the bottom of the water tank.
- When water particles enter the air, they weigh down fine particles of dust and wool and lower them to the floor or other surfaces. The first time you use the appliance, you may notice that the amount of dust on the floor and furniture has increased. But it is not the humidifier that “dusts”, it is the result of its work. Moderately humid air (40-60%) will help you get rid of unpleasant odors, microscopic mites, bacteria.
- Another feature of the humidifier is the ability to control atmospheric pressure. With reduced pressure, water evaporates more actively and thereby normalizes it.
Traditional humidifier in your interior
A wide range of devices of this functionality will allow you to choose exactly the device that will best suit the interior of your room or office. Manufacturers create models different forms: from rectangular and flat to absolutely round; different colors and with different functionality.
Attention of music lovers are presented models with built-in players. People who love to control the time will find humidifiers with a clock and an alarm.
Cold evaporation humidifiers are not only useful, but also an expression of style! Take care of your health and the health of those you love!
Content:
The task of the air humidifier is clear enough from the name of the device. Humidifiers work in a closed room - in the office, room or classroom. Their installation does not require complex installation work; all that needs to be done for its functioning is to fill the tank with water and plug the device into a power outlet.
Are you worried about the question of how to choose the right humidifier so that coziness and comfort in the house accompany you all the time? Each humidifier model is designed for round-the-clock operation. The operating humidifier makes very low noise levels, so you can sleep comfortably next to it. Therefore, the device can be safely installed even in the children's room.
After choosing a humidifier, it is necessary to determine the optimal location for its installation. Experts believe that it is best to install a humidifier next to heating radiators in order to quickly spread moisture with warm air currents. A comfortable level of humidity for a person is about 40-60%.
A humidifier is a must in a child's room
Perhaps the most actual question How to choose a humidifier for a child's room. Indeed, the health of the child directly depends on maintaining the required level of humidity, especially in winter period when the air is literally overdried by the batteries.
The physiological feature of young children (especially infants) is an incredibly sensitive and delicate mucous membrane, as well as the skin. Dry air that reigns in the nursery in winter is a great danger to the health of the child.
Before choosing a humidifier for a child's room, study with experts those models that will allow you to maintain the level of humidity in the room at the proper level. It is worth noting that some humidifiers, in addition to their direct function, are able to purify and ionize the air. It is these models that are recommended by experts for rooms that are designed for a children's room.
Humidifiers with ionizer
The latest research by scientists has proved that our body can fully absorb oxygen only from air enriched with negatively charged air ions, in other words, from ionized air. The lack of ionization causes regular oxygen starvation in people, poor health, increased fatigue, and a decrease in working capacity. In addition, immunity weakens, a person loses attention and begins to get sick with various diseases, including swine flu.
Why and how to choose humidifiers with an ionizer? First of all, for the prevention and control of influenza epidemics. In many children's institutions, including schools, kindergartens and clinics, this device is actively used. There are a number of models of humidifiers that ionize the air, saturating it with active oxygen, and at the same time include ultraviolet lamps in their design, thanks to which the air is disinfected and harmful bacteria and viruses are destroyed.
By installing an air humidifier with an ionizer in your office or at home, you can not be afraid of infection and will always feel great.
Cold steam humidifiers
The principle of operation of a humidifier with cold steam can be compared to a basin filled with water - the water in it gradually evaporates on its own. The prototype of an advanced humidifier is a bowl of water over which a towel is waved. Thus, air humidification occurs due to natural evaporation, but sometimes fans are built into the models to speed up the process. Humidifier buyers rarely choose such models due to their low efficiency and performance, which can be compared with a large aquarium. Cold steam humidifiers are often not equipped with a hygrostat, since there is no point in somehow influencing the natural process of humidification.
Hot steam humidifiers
The next type of humidifiers is with hot steam. Such air humidifiers work on the principle of a boiling kettle without a lid. Water evaporates under heat. Compared to cold steam humidifiers, hot steam models are much more efficient. On top of that, aromatherapy lovers can indulge in their favorite scents. Most manufacturers claim that heating the water in a humidifier destroys harmful microorganisms in the sprayed steam. It is worth noting in this case that they write the same thing about cold steam, as if microorganisms are killed by chlorine contained in tap water. Marketing paths are inscrutable...
Before choosing a hot steam humidifier for your home, be aware of the potential hazards of using it. First of all, such humidifiers pose a great threat to young children, who can simply get burned. hot water. On top of that, during operation, the device makes a loud gurgling sound, which makes it difficult to use it during sleep.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers
At the moment, experts consider ultrasonic humidifiers to be the most effective humidifiers. Water in such an apparatus falls on a small vibrating membrane, passing through which it forms a cloud of water dust, which diverges naturally throughout the apartment. Humidifiers with cold and hot steam are significantly inferior in humidification efficiency to ultrasonic models, so leading manufacturers have abandoned the production of models of the first and second types.
In the use of an ultrasonic humidifier, only one drawback can be noted - the formation of white lime deposits on dark furniture. In humidifiers with steam, all salts from water vapor settle on the walls of the device, while in an ultrasonic humidifier, water is forcibly broken into dust, which carries all trace elements and salts. The water dust cloud settles on the furniture and, when dried, leaves salt deposits on it, which result in a whitish coating.
But for this reason, you should not immediately abandon the choice of a humidifier with an ultrasonic system. After all, the amount and intensity of salt deposits directly depend on the hardness and quality of the water poured into the tank. That's why different people leave different reviews about ultrasonic humidifiers. In order to combat this phenomenon, reputable manufacturers produce special cartridges with fillers that soften hard water. The cartridge is a small light granule with an ion exchange resin. Such a granule lasts 1-3 months, depending on the quality of the water used. With further use of the cartridge, it is most economical to buy bags of granules and fill the device with them yourself.
Should I use distilled water for humidification?
Most well-known major manufacturers in their operating instructions clearly stipulate that only tap water should be poured into humidifiers, otherwise bacteria can multiply in the tank and the water will “bloom”. This fact not mentioned only by small Chinese manufacturers.
As the next reasonable argument, take into account a simple calculation: in a room of 15-20 m2, with regular ventilation, about 3-4 liters of water will be consumed per day. We think you will agree that spending so much distilled water is quite burdensome for your wallet.
Efficiency of air humidifiers
We discussed with you which humidifier to choose for the home in general and for the children's room in particular, what principles are followed when choosing one or another type of appliance model. And now in general outline the effectiveness of the use of humidifiers.
The global disadvantage of any air humidifier is that in practice their range is usually limited to 1-1.5 meters around the device. The far ends of the rooms remain practically unmoistened. Sellers prefer to remain silent about this fact. The reasons for this phenomenon are quite simple. Since the hygrostat is built into the humidifier itself, it measures the humidity level exclusively around the device. As a result, when the task is reached according to the readings of the device, it automatically turns off, and it cannot physically measure the humidity of the air at the other end of the room. Another factor is superimposed - in the room the air is mixed by natural convention, the cold one goes down, and the warm one goes up, and there is practically no horizontal mixing of air from one corner to another.
Based on practice, a humidifier should be placed at the head of the bed, but some humidifiers make quite loud gurgling sounds at night. It will not be superfluous to place a large fan above the humidifier, which can effectively disperse humidified air around the entire perimeter of the room. Another option is to close the room hermetically so that it gradually becomes saturated with moisture like a greenhouse. All three options are quite compromise.
However, the fact remains that often simple household humidifiers are not enough to fully humidify the air in a room. To solve this problem, a large-sized device is required that allows you to install powerful fans and a large tank. Often, devices with this size are no longer ordinary humidifiers, but are air purifiers with a built-in humidification function. Such cleaners are mainly produced by well-known expensive manufacturers, so their cost is much higher than conventional humidifiers; however, it must be recognized that they are worth it.
If you have not yet decided which humidifier to choose, then best solution tasks will be an air purifier with built-in humidification, which is relevant in use all year round. If the budget does not allow for capital investments, then it is better to take any ultrasonic humidifier. All ultrasonic humidifiers general principle work. The cost of specific models depends on the design, build quality, brand promotion and the availability of additional features.
When operating a humidifier, it is worth considering simple physical laws. In physics, air humidity is a relative quantity that directly depends on temperature. For this reason, any opening of doors or ventilation of the room will lead to a decrease in the humidity of the air in it. In a bedroom with an open window, a humidifier is unlikely to raise the humidity level above 30%.
After we have clearly decided which air humidifier we choose, it is worthwhile to “go over” the brands of manufacturers that have proven themselves in the market from the best side.
Experts consider the Swiss company Plaston, which owns two brands - Air-o-Swiss and Boneco, to be one of the world's best manufacturers of devices for air humidification. Boneco pays a great deal of attention to the manufacture of air humidifiers, among which Boneco 7135 is considered the most successful model.
Humidifiers from Electrolux are distinguished by a pleasant design and high quality assembly of parts. For those who are not happy with the classic design of Boneco, the individuality of the external design of Electrolux humidifiers will suit.
In Russia and neighboring countries, another brand has gained popularity - Aircomfort. Models of this brand are distinguished by an abundance of secondary functions and a successful design. In addition, this manufacturer offers good quality at an affordable price.
Of all the above brands, the Boneco brand is especially fond of the Chinese, who prefer to create copies of famous brands. Such an analogue will differ from the original model in build quality, as well as durability. In this case, the level of humidification efficiency will be approximately the same.
The best independent Chinese manufacturer is the Cooper & Hunter brand, which is a successful combination of good quality and low cost.
Sharp and Daikin are leading manufacturers of humidifier purifiers today. Despite the fact that the humidification function in these models is a side one, they solve this problem perfectly. There are no differences in the quality of humidification in these models, all the differences are in the cleaning system.
Sharp models have a classic HEPA filter, a deodorizing filter and an ionizer. In comparison, Daikin models have a photocatalytic filter combined with the company's proprietary Flash streamer system, which can trap odors, dust and allergens, and effectively destroy viruses, including the swine flu virus.
We hope we have shared enough information with you, and now you know exactly how to choose the right humidifier. We wish you health and comfort at home and at work!
Humidifiers improve indoor air quality and relieve the symptoms of low humidity: cold headaches, dry skin, sneezing and coughing. During the dry winter months, when heating systems are very dry, humidifiers are a great way to add missing moisture to the air. Dry air is often the source of many ailments, including flaky skin, itchy eyes and chapped lips, and can cause sore throats and nosebleeds. These symptoms occur regardless of whether you have allergies or asthma. Low levels of humidity in the air can even damage wood furniture and cause cracks. Having a humidifier in your child's room will help your child sleep comfortably, as well as prevent colds and the spread of germs during flu season.
Humidity levels:
The optimum level is between 25% and 55% relative humidity. Inexpensive or allows you to easily control the level of relative humidity in the room. The moisture content in the air of less than 25% does not add health to our body at all, but do not forget that humidity above 55% can cause such unpleasant phenomena as the growth of mold, bacteria, fungi and dust mites. often define elevated level humidity can be seen by looking at your windows: condensation on windows is a sure sign. Most humidifiers have an information hygrometer that allows you to independently monitor the amount of moisture you add to the room. More expensive models have a built-in hygrometer that not only takes readings from the sensors and tells you the humidity level in the room, but also allows you to set the exact level of humidity that the device will maintain.
Types of Humidifiers:
The stores currently offer a wide range of different types. They differ in size (tank volume from 1 liter) and humidification method (cold steam, hot steam and ultrasonic). The largest humidifiers are called console humidifiers, they are able to humidify several rooms or very large areas at once. Room humidifiers are small in size and are best suited for one small, medium or large sized room in your home and office. Here short review existing types humidifiers:
Cold steam humidifiers (traditional)
The most common type. These appliances use the principles of natural evaporation, which is the cleanest method of humidification. The humidifying filter is located in the case on the pallet and absorbs water. The fan then blows the dry air from the room through this moisture-laden filter, causing the water to evaporate into the room, thereby increasing the humidity in the air. The filter also traps and traps any impurities and minerals that may be present in the water, making the humidified air completely pure. Most filters need to be changed about every 2 months, although some models are self-cleaning or use reusable filters.
Model examples: ,
Pros:
* Humidifying filter provides clean and impurity-free evaporation
* Very low power consumption
* Fans can be powerful enough to cover a large area
Minuses:
* Fans may be noisier than other types of humidifiers (noise level depends on fan speed
* Most filters need to be changed approximately every 2 months
* Bacteria and mold may appear on the filter (can be reduced with special antibacterial additives)
Hot steam humidifiers
These humidifiers use a heating element that boils water in the humidifier and releases it into the air as warm vapor. If you live in a cold climate, using hot steam humidifiers will help make the room slightly warmer (as opposed to cold steam humidifiers, which can do the opposite). These humidifiers are quieter than evaporative cold vapor humidifiers because they do not use a fan. Instead, the heating element simply boils the water, turning it into pure steam that rises into air free of all minerals and impurities. Any mineral content that was present in the water remains in the humidifier and will not be released into the room air. Mineral deposits remaining in the appliance can be removed with vinegar. Some models also use additional demineralizing filters that are able to absorb calcium before it settles on the humidifier.
Model examples:
Pros:
* Silent operation
* No need to change filters
* Clean, demineralized steam
* Some models have a special tank for spraying soothing aromatic oils
Minuses:
* Higher energy consumption (the heating element uses more electricity than other humidifiers)
*Most appliances are only for small rooms
* There is a risk of burns for small children if the humidifier is accidentally knocked over
Ultrasonic humidifiers (cold or warm steam)
the quietest among all such devices. They are so quiet that they are often described as almost silent. An ultrasonic humidifier uses the power of high frequency sound waves to vibrate a metal diaphragm at an "ultrasonic" frequency, breaking up the water into many small vapor or mist droplets. This mist-like vapor is propelled into the air by a very small and quiet fan. Any minerals or impurities that are present in the water are released into the air in the mist, which is why many ultrasonic humidifiers use demineralization cartridges that serve to trap impurities in the water before they enter the air, although they are usually not 100% effective. If you're having trouble with "white dust" settling on surfaces near your humidifier, the solution is to use distilled water. In some ultrasonic humidifiers, there is also, which helps to avoid the growth of bacteria in the water, and also protects against the sensation of cold. Model examples: ,
Pros:
* Quiet, near-silent operation
* Does not require filter replacement
* Low power consumption (when using cold steam)
Minuses:
* If distilled water is not used, impurities may settle in the form of "white dust" (in some models, this amount can be reduced using a replaceable demineralization cartridge)
*Most models are only for small rooms
* have a special reservoir for spraying soothing aromatic oils
Humidifiers disc cold steam (air wash)
In humidifiers or other humidifiers, a high-speed rotating disk or roller throws water into a diffuser, which then breaks the water into tiny droplets that are then released into the air as a visible mist. The humidifier disk usually rotates very quietly and does not require filter replacement. However, minerals and other impurities that are present in the water can enter the room as a fine mist. These minerals tend to settle on surfaces such as furniture and can result in what is known as "white dust", which can appear as an ultra-fine layer of dust on surfaces surrounding the humidifier. Thus, it is desirable that only distilled water be used as it lacks minerals. Model examples: ,
Pros:
* Silent operation
* No filter replacement required
* Low power consumption
Minuses:
* If you do not use distilled water, impurities will be released into the air in the form of "white dust"
* Designed for small rooms only
* No humidity control
In addition to the types of humidifiers described above, several additional unique features have appeared:
Humidifiers with UV protection against bacteria
Some humidifiers are now equipped with an ultraviolet sterilizer, which uses ultraviolet light to kill up to 99.9% of the bacteria, germs, and viruses present in your humidifier's water. This type of humidifier is intended primarily for families with babies and young children, as well as those who are worried about the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses. Previously, only hot steam humidifiers had this option, but now ultraviolet sterilization has become available in some models of cold steam humidifiers.
Pros:
*Adds extra bacteria protection and water sanitization
* Available in both hot and cold steam models
Minus:
* UV lamp needs to be replaced, usually after several months of continuous use
Direct Fill Humidifiers
While most humidifiers use removable water tanks that need to be carried and filled at the sink or tub, there are a few models that do without a tank entirely and allow water to be poured directly into the humidifier itself. In these simple models, you can use any utensils you have to fill them, even a small cup. If you have health limitations when lifting or carrying fairly heavy water tanks, these models are designed specifically for you.
Model examples:
Pros:
* No heavy water tanks to be lifted, turned upside down and carried around
* Quieter than other humidifiers: no "gurgling" of water when filling the tray with water
* Easy to clean
Minuses:
* Need to have your own water tank on hand (e.g. pitcher or cup)
* Stagnant water inside the humidifier increases the chance of mold growth
Which one to choose?
When buying, consider the two most important criteria: the size of your room, and the type of humidifier you prefer.