How to use a humidifier: the subtleties of operation and refueling of climatic devices

The optimal level of humidity in the apartment

• For human life, normal humidity in the house should vary between 40-60%
• For the normal functioning of electronics - 45-60%
• For indoor plants, this figure is higher - 55-70%
• For furniture in the house, as well as for a person, this figure is in the range of 40-60%
• For book storage, the best humidity range is between 40-60%

As practice has shown, the most comfortable air for everything that surrounds us in a modern apartment, with a humidity level of 50%. This is enough for normal human life. Furniture, parquet and other interior items, as well as finishing materials, feel great precisely within these humidity limits.

Principle of operation

Modern devices are "washing" the room, steam, ultrasonic. The most popular devices with air washing, they clean and humidify the atmosphere of the room, working at several speeds. Many models qualitatively clean the interior space, thanks to the preliminary ionization of the air. During the ionization process, individual dust particles are charged, retaining as much as possible on the humidifying discs.

The principle of cold evaporation automatically creates optimal humidity. Some models are equipped with ionizing silver rods that prevent the growth of microorganisms and keep the water fresh without additional additives.

How to take care of a humidifier

In order for the device to serve as long as possible, it is necessary to properly care for it. Many housewives do not even know how often to turn on the humidifier or what to do if it does not turn on.

Humidifier needs constant cleaning

Consider all types of cleanings:

• Daily cleaning. In order to avoid the smell of stale water inside the equipment, it is necessary to pour out the remaining liquid at the end of each day. It is best to clean the walls of the device well every few days with a brush with synthetic bristles. To remove scale, the same tool is suitable as for a kettle.It is strictly forbidden to wash under running water or wipe with a damp cloth the motor, plug, plug, or other internal parts of the humidifier that are directly connected to electricity.
• General cleaning. If you have hard water, your humidifier will need a serious cleaning with vinegar. The plaque that forms on the walls of the unit prevents the normal operation of the temperature sensors, which causes overheating and an emergency shutdown of the device. Before proceeding with use, all walls should be thoroughly rinsed from vinegar essence.
• Antibacterial cleaning. This type of wet cleaning should be carried out once a month. You can use a weak solution of chlorine, potassium permanganate, soda or bleach. Pour the prepared liquid into the tank, at the rate of 50 g of disinfectant per 3 liters of plain water. Turn on the equipment and wait until steam appears. Then drain the solution and rinse the tank under warm water.

Now you know how to properly use the humidifier, what cleaning methods are acceptable, and what to do if the equipment does not turn on. Before buying, be sure to make sure that there are service centers for repairing equipment of the selected brand in your city.

Varieties of devices

There are three types of humidifiers on the market. They are based on different principles of operation: natural humidification, steam generation, ultrasound. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Natural type equipment

It is also called traditional or cold steam device. Performs its task by natural evaporation. Special cartridges are wetted with water, after which an air jet is supplied to them from a built-in fan.Its speed is adjustable, so the intensity of moisture can be changed. Devices of this type are the safest. They are environmentally friendly and reliable.

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Tap water can be used to wet the cartridges. An additional plus of the device is the purification of the flow entering the housing from dust. The only drawback is the high price of such devices.

Steam devices

Pure water is poured into the body, which is brought to a boil, after which it begins to evaporate. Humidification occurs very quickly, along with it, the temperature also rises. Steam equipment is good to install in cold rooms. Then it will perform two functions at once. Of course, this is not a full-fledged heating device, but it can provide a temperature increase of 2-3C.

It is desirable that the device be supplemented with a hygrometer and automation. Then waterlogging will not work, which can happen quite quickly with a steam generator. A significant drawback of the device is a large power consumption

In addition, it must be handled with care. Hot steam is not safe

Children's access should be restricted.

Ultrasound Systems

Water is supplied to an ultrasonic membrane, which breaks it into microdroplets. The human eye sees them as fog. By forced or natural flow, it is distributed throughout the room. In this way, large volumes of air masses are quickly moistened. The device is completely safe, it works almost silently.

The main disadvantage is sensitivity to water quality. In many models, a filter is installed in front of the ultrasonic membrane. But if the liquid is hard, it fails very quickly.

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It is best to pour distillate into the device, especially if there is no filter. Otherwise, the lime scale will get into the ultrasonic mist and settle on furniture, walls, etc. It is very difficult to remove it.

Models with additional useful features will be the best choice when you need a good humidifier. There can be several options: ionization, purification, aromatization. Such complexes not only moisturize, they purify the air mixture from dust and dirt particles.

Humidity value

Moisture in the apartment is constantly "destroyed" by heating devices, a refrigerator compressor, air conditioning, a stove, computer and other household appliances. What is a man? Such air dehydrates the body, dries out the skin, causes allergic reactions, dry cough, respiratory and more serious diseases. In addition, dust does not settle in dry air, but hovers with viruses, bacteria - for them this is a favorable environment for reproduction.

Many believe that if you carry out constant ventilation, then the air in the apartment will acquire the required composition. Yes, ventilation is a partial change of stagnant air to clean, but with humidity it is more difficult. In winter, cold masses, getting into a warm house, expand, and their humidity decreases several times. Therefore, there are no significant changes. Efficiency of ventilation, in order to increase humidity, is possible only in case of a higher temperature outside than in the apartment.

Optimum humidity is the right combination of relative humidity and temperature. So, the lower the temperature, the higher the relative humidity.The most comfortable indicators for a person are: humidity 62-55% at a temperature of 19-21°C. Another indicator is taken into account - the speed of air masses, which is 0.1 (maximum - 0.2) m / s. Unfortunately, the humidity in our apartments barely reaches 25%, and in the winter months, when the heaters are on, it drops to 15%.

But it was during this period that an outbreak of respiratory and pulmonological diseases, therefore it is important to increase it

Varieties of homemade devices

If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made humidifier for the home, it will not be difficult to make it yourself. Simple options for fixtures made from improvised materials are suitable. Factory and homemade humidifiers work according to one of the principles: heating or ventilation.

Water containers

To increase humidity, you can hang special containers with water on the battery.

In order to saturate the air with moisture, you can place containers with water everywhere. The method is ineffective if the air is very dry, because the water naturally evaporates for a long time.

From a plastic bottle

In a bottle of 1.5-2 liters on the side, you need to make a hole about 10-15 cm long and 5-7 cm wide. The container is tied to the central heating pipe with the hole up. A long strip is made from a fabric or bandage folded in several layers. Its center is placed in the hole in the bottle, and the container itself is filled with water. The ends of the fabric strip are wound around the pipe in a spiral. The material will be gradually moistened due to the fact that the middle part is immersed in water. The liquid will quickly evaporate, increasing the level of humidity in the room due to the high temperature from the battery.

Battery towel

You need to take a towel.Thin will not work, because it will dry out very quickly. The bigger and thicker the towel, the better. It must be moistened well, squeezed out so that water does not drain, and cover the battery with it from above. If you do this in every room and periodically moisten the fabric, breathing will become noticeably easier.

Some users improve on this method by attaching one end of the towel to the battery at the top and lowering the bottom into a container of water. The fabric does not have to be wetted every time.

From a plastic container

You can buy a large plastic container with a lid at the store. Preferably on wheels. Additionally you will need:

• fan or cooler;
• power unit;
• soldering iron, knife.

On the sides you need to make small holes with a heated drill or knife, and in the lid - a hole for mounting the fan. The cooler must be securely fastened so that it does not fall into a box filled with water, and connected to the power supply. Wires should be insulated. Then water is poured into the box and the fan is turned on.

From expanded clay and buckets

Expanded clay absorbs water well and evaporates it for a long time

The filler in this homemade humidifier is expanded clay, because it absorbs moisture well. To make the device you will need:

• two large plastic waste baskets and two smaller ones;
• 12 liter bucket;
• aquarium pump;
• cooler with a diameter of 140 mm;
• building hair dryer or plastic ties.

Small baskets need to be fused with a hair dryer or fastened with zip ties. Two large baskets are also connected, but small ones fastened together are first placed in them. A hole is cut out in the bottom of the upper basket and expanded clay is poured through it. The pebbles should be large enough not to fall into the holes.Pour water into a bucket and put a pump for the aquarium there. The design of the baskets is placed in a bucket. The tubes from the pump are brought to its upper part so that the water wets the expanded clay. The liquid will drain back into the bucket. It is necessary to install a cooler from above, which will direct the air flow to the expanded clay so that the water evaporates more intensively.

Ultrasonic Humidifier

Homemade Ultrasonic Humidifier

You can buy a ready-made ultrasonic humidifier at the store or make it yourself.

Would need:

• 12 V power supply;
• ultrasound transducer;
• corrugated pipe 30 cm long;
• plastic container with lid;
• hot glue gun and glue sticks.

In the container, you need to make one hole on the side for the wire, and the other in the cover for the pipe along its diameter. A converter is installed at the bottom, a power supply is connected to it, having qualitatively insulated the connection. The hole through which the wire passes is filled with hot glue and the pipe is fixed in the same way. Then you need to fill the container with water and the device can be used. In half an hour, such a device is able to humidify the air in one living room.

From the fan

The fan is used in various homemade devices for humidifying the air:

• The easiest way is to hang a wet towel on the fan, on the side where the blown air is directed. Due to the movement of the stream, the water will evaporate quite quickly. Only as it dries, the towel will need to be moistened.
• Under a working fan put any container with water. The air flow will spread the evaporating moisture.

Beneficial features

Today, humidifiers and climate control devices are in great demand, which can be explained by the impressive number of advantages and useful properties that such equipment has.

It is believed that air humidifiers are able to optimize human heat exchange processes. To a greater extent, this applies to babies and adolescents, whose body produces a huge amount of heat through the lungs. If a child sleeps in a room with stagnant and dry air, his body begins to rapidly lose moisture, which leads to thickening of the blood and complication of the internal processes of the body. In addition, an insufficient level of humidity affects the work of the mucous membranes of the child (which simply dry out and become covered with a crust), which is expressed in increased breathing and blocking the natural processes of neutralizing microbes that enter the human body through the mouth and nose. Difficulty breathing and blocking the functioning of the mucous membranes usually leads to serious diseases such as otitis media, bronchitis and even asthma.

Reasons for the need for a humidifier

In autumn, when the air temperature drops below 8 degrees in the houses, they turn on heating with centralized heat supply. Heat energy suppliers are not interested in adjusting the temperature of the heat carrier in accordance with the outside air temperature.

Often, all autumn and winter, heat is served to the maximum. As a result, the air in the apartments becomes absolutely dry, the relative humidity drops to 10-15% percent. Asking the question why the apartment needs a humidifier during this period becomes completely redundant. The facts are in favor of its acquisition and installation.

Dry throat and skin

Periodic ventilation through window openings is not enough to maintain standard humidity. This is especially noticeable after waking up in the morning. The mucous membranes of the larynx, which are responsible for supplying moistened air to the lungs, work for wear and require constant replenishment of moisture.

The throat after a night's sleep often dries up so that it is necessary to drink a decent amount of water to bring the mucous membrane back to normal.

The same can be said about human skin tissues. Dry air draws moisture out of the skin, it becomes dry, wrinkled, begins to peel off and exfoliate.

Dry skin is evidence of a lack of moisture in the epidermis, a violation of metabolic processes in the body. A sufficient amount of moisture restores one of the main functions of the skin - protection against the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.

Summer heat, dust, air conditioning

A decrease in air humidity in apartments is observed not only in autumn and winter, but also in summer. Air conditioners push air back and forth, while taking away a certain percentage of moisture from it.

In recent years, global warming has been observed. Often in the summer for a long time there is a debilitating heat, accompanied by low levels of atmospheric humidity.

Moisture particles in the air wet the dust, it settles down. As a result, the inhabitants of the apartment breathe clean air. Dust particles in dry air are in a state of free floating, which is clearly visible when sunlight hits them. Inhaling such a mixture does not contribute to well-being and health promotion.

House dust can contain dust mites.Their metabolic products cause allergies in people, are the cause of asthma.

Many apartments are decorated with indoor plants and flowers, which in nature live only in tropical, humid and warm climates. In room conditions, they require constant irrigation, but even it cannot create the necessary constant humidity.

Ultimately, ornamental plants die. A caring and thrifty owner will definitely take care of creating an optimal environment for their pets for normal life.

Furniture and wooden structures

Not only living organisms, but also inanimate objects in houses and apartments require life-giving moisture. Window wooden frames in rainy weather absorb moisture and swell, a dry environment dries them, and unevenly. Windows stop closing and opening normally and require repair and adjustment. The same goes for natural wood door panels.

Expensive parquet is designed for operation in certain climatic conditions to maintain its beauty and integrity. With a lack of moisture, the parquet planks will dry out, the parquet will begin to lag behind the base and creak. Wooden furniture, linoleum flooring also react negatively to a decrease in standard air humidity.

Comfortable humidity is vital for a person to maintain his working capacity, well-being and health, good sleep and rest.

What time of year do you need a humidifier?

The seasonality and mode of operation of the humidifier depends on the climatic zone, season and other operating systems to maintain the microclimate in the house: heating, air conditioning and ventilation.

It is believed that in the warm season, the humidity inside the building corresponds to the value outside. Most regions of our country belong to zones with normal humidity, and only a small part - to zones with a "dry" climate. Therefore, how long the humidifier should work depends on the region:

• for areas with a humid and normal climate - in winter and summer with closed windows and working heating or air conditioning systems;
• for areas with a dry climate - all year round.

Humidifier Safety

A humidifier is an electrical appliance that works with water. This is an object of increased danger. Before starting its operation, be sure to read the instructions, which contain, among other things, safety rules.

In general, when using this device, it is prohibited:

• add water during operation (if this is not provided by the manufacturer);
• move the operating humidifier;
• use the steam nozzle for topping up or close it;
• use technical water;
• use water with additives (if there is a flavoring function, then there is a special container for aroma oils).

Moist air is heavier than dry air, so it quickly settles down. For the best effect, as well as for safety reasons (so that condensate does not collect under the device), the humidifier should be at a height of at least 0.5 m. A large, powerful device can be placed higher, on shelves or a cabinet.

Placing a humidifier on the floor is unsafe and ineffective

The humidifier must be located at least 0.3 m from:

• electrical appliances (he will “flood” them with steam);
• furniture and non-moisture resistant walls (they will become sour from moisture);
• hygroscopic things (for example, books);
• heating devices (the whole meaning of humidification is lost).

If there are other sources of humidification in the house, for example, a decorative fountain or an aquarium, you should not install the device in this place. Their joint work can increase the humidity above the permissible values ​​\u200b\u200b(above 70%), which is also bad. From high humidity, mold can appear, and the likelihood of a disease of the respiratory system increases.

The appliance must be kept out of the reach of pets and small children. It is advisable to connect the humidifier directly to the network, without additional connections through filters, tees, etc. The wire should not interfere with the passage and be stretched.

Air humidification with steam - harm or benefit?

If you want to evaluate all the pros and cons of buying this device, then I can say that it has much more pluses than minuses.

Advantages:

1. Efficiency - The steam humidifier literally in an hour will significantly increase the level of moisture in the room, and will support it with regular use.
2. Aromatization of premises – when adding essential and aromatic oils to a special compartment, you can not only freshen the air, but also carry out inhalations for medicinal purposes.

Water quality
– unlike ultrasonic devices, it does not require refilling only with boiled or distilled water

When evaporating, even tap water does not leave white deposits on furniture and appliances, and most importantly, in the nasopharynx. Getting rid of germs in the air
- this function is available when using a hot steam appliance

Getting rid of germs in the air
- this function is available when using a hot steam appliance.

Expendable materials
- the device does not require complex and replacement of individual elements, which makes it inexpensive to maintain.

Acceptable price
- a steam humidifier is available for almost any wallet, as its types are different - in any price segment.

Flaws:

Large power consumption
with constant on.

Noise level
higher than ultrasonic humidifier.

Influence on room temperature
- with cold steam it cools, with hot steam it raises the temperature in the room

This is important to consider when using at different times of the year. Dangerous for children
with hot steam

Dangerous for children
when supplying hot steam.

Some models are not equipped with a humidity level sensor. Therefore, it is not always possible to accurately determine how dry the air is.

In this regard, there is a risk of waterlogging the room, and as a result, provoke the appearance of fungus and mold on the walls.

Proper use of the steam humidifier

From ignorance how to use a humidifier properly its work may be disrupted, and this will lead to unpleasant consequences for health. So you have to follow general operating principles of a humidifier:

1. Instructions for use are required to study - in it you will find all the information on the features of the operation and operation of a particular model.
2. Do not turn on the device for about half an hourafter being outside in the winter. It should warm up to room temperature.
3. Prepare a place for a humidifier. The most suitable is a horizontal dry hill in the corner of the room and free space around.
4. Do not place the appliance too close to beds, especially in children's rooms -this can cause the bed linen to get wet.
5. Make sure there is enough water in the tankor immediately purchase a device with an audible alert or automatic shutdown when the liquid level inside is low.

1. If the tap water is of poor quality, then it is better to use boiled or distilled, so that during evaporation, harmful impurities do not settle in the respiratory system.
2. Be sure to rinse and dry all items. appliance before putting it away for long-term storage.

When is the best time to use a humidifier? The best time is as soon as the heating season begins. The parched mucosa loses its protective properties and becomes a beneficial environment for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. This leads to frequent colds, sinusitis and rhinitis.

But even if you are already sick, such a device is great for therapeutic inhalations. What can be added to a humidifier to ease breathing and cough? Suitable ready-made mixtures and individual oils:

• mint;
• eucalyptus;
• fir;
• pines;
• camphor;
• tea tree;
• juniper.

With the help of a humidifier, you can fill the room with a pleasant aroma. This is easy to do by adding a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to a container of water. For example, here's what you can add to a humidifier:

• orange, lemon or grapefruit;
• sandalwood;
• ylang-ylang;
• patchouli;
• jasmine;
• lavender;
• bergamot;
• roses.

Steam humidifier cleaning

Any kind of pollution adversely affects the operation of the device and is harmful to health. How to clean the humidifier from scale? The instruction is presented in the table.

The rooms in which we live are enclosed spaces with an inanimate, overdried atmosphere, especially during the heating season.It is to solve this problem that devices have been invented to improve the home microclimate. We will tell you how to properly use a humidifier.