Humidifier - what are its real benefits and harms? Humidifier: reviews, benefits and harms, doctors' opinions What is a humidifier.

Few can answer the question of what a humidifier is. This useful device helps to increase the humidity in the room by saturating the air masses with moisture droplets. If its level in the room is insufficient, then the person begins to feel uncomfortable.

Humidifier eliminates the problem of dry air masses

From insufficient air humidification, the appearance of the skin worsens, diseases of the respiratory organs, heart and kidneys appear. Especially often this problem pops up in the winter, when heating devices work on an ongoing basis in many houses. They evaporate moisture, making the air extremely dry.

It is easy to guess what a humidifier is for. This unique device helps to eliminate the problem of dry air masses in the house. Thanks to him, a person manages to avoid troubles associated with a violation of the vital functions of the body. Many doubts about whether an air humidifier is needed in an apartment have long disappeared, since they were able to evaluate its main advantages from personal experience.

Varieties of devices for air humidification

In the past, people often thought about how to humidify the air in the house. They had to make various devices that could at least slightly solve the problem of dryness in the room. Many families simply hung wet linen in their rooms or placed water containers near the heaters. So they managed to humidify the air in the apartment without a humidifier. Today, these methods have long outlived their usefulness. Indeed, special devices have appeared on sale that easily and quickly saturate the air masses with moisture.

There are different types of humidifiers. The most requested ones include:

Traditional. Works on system of humidification of cold evaporation. In order for the unit to function, a sufficient amount of clean water should be poured into a special tank. From the tank in the future, it will flow to the evaporation element. The air masses will begin to be humidified as they are distilled by the fan through the air purifier and humidifier for the home. The traditional humidifier is easy to operate. In addition, he manages to economically consume electricity even with constant use. If you place the device a short distance from the heat source, then it will be able to work most efficiently due to the increased circulation of air flows. Some models are also capable of destroying pathogens. The installed filters in the cleaners cope with this task. Choosing this type of equipment is worth a family with small children.
Steam. At least once using such a device, a person will no longer have a question why a humidifier is needed. The device works on the principle of hot evaporation. In it, two electrodes heat up the water poured into the tank. When it reaches the required temperature, it turns into steam. This is the best humidifier that can increase indoor humidity up to 60%. Unlike traditional models, steam rooms consume too much electricity, which can be a problem for residents.
Ultrasonic. This type of household humidifier is one of the most popular types of home appliances. Inside it, the liquid is converted into small particles, which are further fixed in the air masses. Peculiar clouds are formed from water and air, spreading throughout the room where the humidifier for the apartment is installed. It can be safely used in children's rooms, as the steam released from the device is not able to burn the skin. In addition, some models are equipped with an antibacterial protection function, thanks to which the air at home is easily cleaned.

The essence of the operation of air humidifiers is the same, regardless of the type.

There are other types of humidifiers as well. The essence of their work is the same. They differ from each other only in cost and the presence of certain additional functions.

Advantages and disadvantages of humidifiers

Each device has its positive and negative qualities. After analyzing them, you can understand which humidifier is best for home use. Steam models boast the following advantages:

reliable protection against liquid boil-off;
great performance;
excellent steam heating;
no need to replace filters and cartridges;
raising the humidity in the room for a short period of time;
variety of capacities;
lack of requirements for the quality of the water used;
low cost.

Such a humidifier for the home has only one big drawback. It can cause burns on the skin due to too much heating of the steam. In addition, during its operation, the hiss of water is heard, which can be very distracting.

Traditional humidifier models are often considered when asking what is the best device to buy for a room.

They have the following advantages:

their work does not provide for heating water, so you can not be afraid to get burned by steam;
consume electricity several times less than other types of air humidifiers;
purify air streams from pollution and pathogenic bacteria;
have a relatively low cost.

Being engaged in the installation of this air humidifier in the apartment, you need to be prepared for the fact that during operation it will make unnecessary noise. You should also prepare for regular filter changes. It is easy to understand what these removable elements are for. It is the filter that is responsible for the quality of air purification in a residential area.

Ultrasonic humidifier is able to filter air masses

Ultrasonic models are among the best humidifiers due to the abundance of positive qualities:

release warm steam, which does not cause burns upon contact with it;
during operation they do not emit any distracting noises;
provides not only humidification, but also high-quality filtration of air masses.

The inconvenience in working with a humidifier arises only because of the need to regularly change the cartridges. In addition, the unit functions normally only on purified water that has undergone distillation. And also these models are characterized by high cost, which greatly affects the choice of the buyer of a humidifier for the home.

Criteria for choosing a device for home use

Before buying automatic equipment that provides humidification of the air in the room, it is necessary to focus on the main criteria for choosing this device. Namely:

The area of the house that the device can serve. We choose the model of the volume that is suitable for a particular room.
Duration of operation without interruption. This indicator affects the water consumption of the device and the size of its reservoir for the tank.
Purpose of the device. First you need to find out what its varieties are. It also does not hurt to get acquainted with the information about why it is needed in the house. For example, a steam model is well suited for small greenhouses, and ultrasonic devices should be purchased for spacious apartments where children and pets live.
Noise level. This criterion is reflected in the comfort of the residents of the house.
Energy consumption. The more energy the appliance consumes, the higher the utility bills will be.
Function of maintaining a certain level of humidity. It will not allow too much moisture to form, which negatively affects the condition of furniture and floor coverings. Constantly maintaining a high level of humidity in the house will certainly lead to the formation of mold, which is then very difficult to get rid of.

Many buyers speak positively about the ultrasonic device, which helps to maintain a sufficient level of humidity in the house. Other types of equipment for humidifying air masses also deserve attention. But they are much inferior to ultrasonic-type models.

Additional functions of humidifiers

Most devices have additional functions, thanks to which high-quality humidification and purification of air flows circulating in the living room are carried out. You should definitely pay attention to them when choosing the right device for your home. The units boast the following useful features:

Air ionization. The most useful can be called a device that has this function. Special ionizers saturate the air with negatively contaminated ions. Thanks to them, the air masses are completely cleaned of dust and other contaminants.
Aromatization. It deprives residents of the need to look for other ways to create a pleasant atmosphere in the house. The device contains an aroma capsule, which makes the air fragrant and fresh.
Ozonation. With this function, you can fight pathogens that are present in the air. Ozone instantly damages the shell of pathogenic bacteria, which is why they die. Thanks to this, the procedure for disinfecting the room is carried out.
Ultraviolet. It is needed to destroy pathogenic microorganisms that can cause various diseases. Such disinfection only affects the air that enters the device. It comes out completely cleansed.

The air humidifier can be equipped with an aroma capsule

It is worth paying attention to the fact that the number of functions in a particular model is reflected in its cost. To avoid unnecessary expenses, you should decide which additional options will be used during the operation of the device, and which ones do not carry any practical benefit.

Manufacturers of humidifiers and their cost

In household appliance stores, you can see dozens of different devices for humidifying air flows in a residential area. When choosing them, the buyer should pay attention to the brand under which the model they like is released. It is advisable to trust trusted manufacturers who have proven the high quality of their products.

The following brands of household appliances are most in demand today:

Boneco.
Air O Swiss.
Bork.

The quality of air humidifiers from these manufacturers is excellent. But the price of this technique is corresponding.

Budget buyers should take a closer look at the models of such manufacturers:

Vitek.
Polaris.
Supra.

The products of these brands presented for sale do not have a large number of additional functions. However, they do an excellent job with their main task.

Humidification units perform a very important job that allows the residents of the house to avoid serious health problems. Therefore, the choice of such a device should be approached responsibly. It is very important to evaluate all the main advantages and disadvantages of the model you like in order to understand whether it will be able to cope with the tasks that will be set for it for a long time.

Why do you need a humidifier? The question is rhetorical. Everyone knows that the humidity in the apartment is very different from that which happens in natural conditions. Working appliances, TV, gas stoves and hot batteries in winter only exacerbate the situation. The room quickly loses the necessary moisture. But our body is difficult to adapt to this. Few people know that too dry air threatens health and even leads to premature aging!

What can make a home environment more comfortable? The simplest solution is a humidifier!

What is dangerous dry air in the apartment?

Humidity is considered optimal for a person from 40 to 60 percent, depending on the time of year. The warmer, the more saturated with moisture the air should be.

It is clear that if you live near the sea or in a private house with a garden, the problem of too dry air will not be so relevant for you. But most of us are much less fortunate - many live in cities where the climate itself is quite unfavorable - the air is very dry, not only indoors, but also outside. Of course, in this case, the home fountain and aquarium will not save. That's what a humidifier is for.

Too dry air in the apartment leads to unpleasant consequences:

Breathing problems. People with chronic respiratory diseases in such an environment feel especially bad. Diseases can worsen, new complications appear. Forever stuffy nose and chronic cough - a reason to think about purchasing a humidifier.
Skin diseases. Healthy skin should be hydrated. When it loses moisture, the protective barrier also disappears, which can lead to various troubles - from banal acne to peeling and serious allergic manifestations.
Dry brittle hair. You have probably noticed how hair begins to electrify with the advent of the heating season. Our hair during this period is under severe stress, as it lacks moisture.
Flaky nails. Yes, this problem can be associated not only with beriberi, but also with too dry air, to which our body simply cannot get used.
Exacerbation of allergic diseases. It is not only the damage to the mucous membranes, but also the increased circulation of allergens. Dry air is ever-flying dust with microscopic mites, fine hair and other particles that can provoke a reaction in our body in the form of a runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes.
Frequent viral and colds. This is especially noticeable in children whose body has not yet adapted to such a climate. From dry air, the child may experience a feeling of dryness and sore throat, as a result, he will begin to refuse food. As a result, constant stress for the body will lead to a decrease in overall immunity and incessant SARS.
Premature aging. Indeed, the higher the air humidity, the longer our skin can remain wrinkle-free. Alas, in a dry climate, the skin ages earlier.

Not only people suffer from dry air in the house. The same problems occur in four-legged pets, the leaves of indoor plants turn yellow and crumble, wooden furniture cracks, parquet deteriorates. Do you need a humidifier in your apartment? The question disappears by itself. Of course it is.

The main types of humidifiers

Humidifiers may differ depending on the principle of operation. Allocate three main types:

Traditional. These devices are inexpensive and very common. They work on the principle of "cold evaporation". Water is poured into the tank, which is supplied to the evaporation elements. The built-in fan captures dry air and gives humidified. As a rule, these humidifiers do not use much electricity and are not very noisy. It is best to put such devices where it is warmer, or in places with the most active air movement.
Steam. They humidify the air with the help of “hot evaporation”. The electrodes heat the water, which is converted into steam. These devices are highly productive. The air can be saturated with moisture above 60 percent. However, in hot weather, such a humidifier will create additional heat, so these devices are usually used in winter during the heating season in cool rooms. Another disadvantage is the high cost of electricity and the risk of getting burned by hot steam.
Ultrasonic. These are the most modern and perfect humidifiers, which are often used in children's rooms. The devices are safe and do not create noise. Water is transformed into a cloud of cool fog due to high-frequency vibrations. Sometimes ultrasonic humidifiers are additionally equipped with an antibacterial function.

Some are also able to humidify the air in the apartment, but specialized devices cope with this task much better.

Today in stores you can find a variety of models of air humidifiers with a wide price range. What is the best humidifier for you? Here are some tips:

If there are children and animals in the house, take a closer look at traditional and ultrasonic models. Steam humidifiers can cause burns. These devices will not work even if your house is always hot.
You can find an inexpensive model that will last a long time and meet all expectations. Not necessarily the device should cost fabulous money.
Pay attention to the size of the water tank. The larger it is, the less often you have to change the water.
If you live with a family, the control panel should be understandable to everyone.
Make sure you save money by buying an inexpensive device. Specify how often you will need to change the filters and how much it costs. Find out how much electricity the device consumes. It may be better to buy more expensive, but with low energy consumption, which will pay off in the future.
The ideal humidifier is one that operates silently. You can leave it on overnight. It is important that the sound of the operating humidifier does not exceed 40 decibels. Then you will not be annoyed by the noise from the device at night.

If you still doubt whether you need a humidifier at home, measure the actual humidity in the apartment. To do this, use a hygrometer, which can be purchased inexpensively.

In cases where the humidity indicators do not meet the standards, the need to purchase a humidifier is obvious. It is especially important to install the device if there is a child in the house. After all, all pediatricians advise creating optimal conditions for temperature and humidity in the children's room - the health of the baby depends on this.

By the way, there are models of air humidifiers specifically for the children's room, which are safe and have a fun design.

Knowing the differences between the types of devices, you can easily make the right choice. Follow our recommendations and get the opportunity to keep your family healthy!

With a constant stay in a room with dry air, the mucous membranes, which should always be moistened, become thinner, their protective functions decrease, they more easily pass bacteria and viruses. The mucous membranes of the eyes and nose are mainly affected - both of them can be excellent gateways for infections.