Today, few people living in homes and apartments are concerned about the humidity level inside the living quarters. The issue of hygiene and air quality becomes relevant in certain circumstances, for example, due to respiratory diseases in one of the family members. Meanwhile, many diseases that residents of megalopolises suffer can be avoided if you buy and periodically use an ultrasonic humidifier in the house. To understand what this device is and to get comprehensive information about it, the following material will help.
What are humidifiers for?
The regulatory documents regarding the sanitary state of the air state the following permissible requirements for the microclimate of residential premises:
- air temperature in the cold season is 18-24 ° C, in the warm - 20-28 ° C;
- air velocity - 0.2 m / s;
- relative humidity in the winter - 60%, in the summer - 65%.
Note. The specified requirements for humidity do not apply to bathrooms, kitchens, corridors and other utility and technical rooms.
An acceptable temperature in the house is supported by the heating system (in winter) and air conditioning (in summer). The ventilation system is responsible for updating the environment, it is also designed to remove the excess moisture that is released from people and various life processes. But the required level of humidity is not provided by anything, we are used to breathing the air that is. But if you measure this parameter using a hygrometer, then it turns out that in most apartments the humidity barely reaches 40%, or even less.
Adults - and they do not always tolerate a lack of moisture, let alone young children, especially - of infancy. In order for the child to feel comfortable, the optimum level of relative humidity in the children's room should be in the range of 50–55%. In order to increase the moisture content of the air, various methods and household appliances are used. But the most interesting are ultrasonic humidifiers as the most efficient and high-tech devices among others.
The principle of operation of an ultrasonic humidifier and its device
This variety of household humidifiers appeared on the market relatively recently, where machines of a mechanical and steam type used to dominate. The attractiveness of ultrasonic devices lies in the principle of operation, which allows to effectively generate the so-called cold steam, without using water heating and consuming a minimum of electricity. To understand how the device works, it is worth taking a look at the diagram of the internal device of an ultrasonic humidifier:
As you can see, the device is quite simple and easy to understand so much that, if desired, such a humidifier can be made with your own hands. The algorithm of the ultrasonic humidifier is built in the following sequence:
- The most purified and desalted water is poured into the tank, preferably distilled.
- Fluid flows by gravity through the cartridge, where additional cleaning and softening takes place.
- After a little heating, water enters the evaporation chamber. There, the membrane, oscillating with a frequency of more than 20 kilohertz (as well as ultrasound), forces the smallest particles of water to break away from the surface, turning them into “cold vapor” resembling thick fog.
- A low-speed fan mounted under the camera causes this steam to rise towards the rotating nozzles of the atomizer.The unit works almost silently, as it has low productivity.
- Along the way, the suspended particles undergo bactericidal treatment by transmission through an ultraviolet lamp. This eliminates the ingress of microorganisms contained in the source water into the room air.
Note. Budget models of humidifiers from different manufacturers may not be equipped with a UV lamp, softener cartridge or other functional elements.
You can buy more advanced models of ultrasonic humidifiers with a built-in hygrometer for measuring humidity in the room. Devices with a price higher than average are equipped with an air ionizer, LCD display and remote control from a separate remote control. There are also whole climatic complexes that allow for several air processing operations. They include:
- water filter;
- filter - air purifier;
- ultrasonic humidifier;
- ionization block;
- bactericidal filter.
Climatic complexes and conventional air humidifiers are equipped with safety automatics that turn off the power during a rollover and a critical drop in water level. Instances with a hygrometer are also turned off when they reach the set humidity level in the room.
Selection tips
Due to the fact that retail chains and various Internet sites are oversaturated with such household appliances, it would be useful for a simple layman to know how to choose the right ultrasonic humidifier in the house. There are several factors to consider:
- area of the humidified room;
- functionality and noiselessness of the device;
- product quality and manufacturer;
- When choosing a humidifier for children - consider safe use.
Everything is clear with the serviced area, information about it is contained in the documentation attached to any product. Otherwise, there is the issue of noiselessness, because checking the device in a store and at home is 2 different things. When using an ultrasonic humidifier at night in the bedroom, it turns out that it gurgles and rustles, not allowing you to relax. Therefore, while still in the store, you should listen carefully to the device during the test.
Some humidifier functions may also be redundant, for example, a bright display backlight or a standard hygrometer. The first prevents the child from sleeping, and the second can lie corny, being near a source of moisture. So do not spend money on something that you do not need or even harmful. Regarding manufacturers, there are several brands that top the rating of ultrasonic humidifiers. These include the Western European brands Boneco, Ballu and Electrolux.
Tip. When choosing, remember that the best ultrasonic humidifier is one that will ensure the health and safety of your loved ones, especially children. If a person living in the apartment is suffering from any serious illness, then before buying a moisturizing device, be sure to consult your doctor.
Features of operation and maintenance
When using the humidifier, a few rules must be observed. The first is to pour only distilled water into the tank, since the principle of the device is to turn the water into suspended particles together with all its contents. As a result, salts dissolved in water will also be inside the rooms and subsequently cover all surfaces in the house with a white coating. The filter element copes well with desalination, but when pouring tap water it often has to be changed.
Tip. During operation, do not forget to control the humidity level in the room. If the built-in hygrometer does not work correctly, then using a separate meter it is easy to calculate the correction value and adjust the power level accordingly.
Than an ultrasonic humidifier is better than steam
Devices that increase the moisture content of the air by direct heating of water are steam, as they literally produce steam. They have one advantage over ultrasonic humidifiers: moisture entering the air does not contain salts (they remain in the tank) and pathogenic bacteria. This is facilitated by the boiling process, it also prevents microorganisms from multiplying in the working area of the device.
Otherwise, steam humidifiers lose to the ultrasonic membrane and here's why:
- Heating water to a boil requires significant energy costs. Hence the large consumption of electricity.
- The case of the steam humidifier is very hot, which is unsafe for young children who have the opportunity to get to it.
- Although the automation will turn off the power if the product accidentally capsizes, hot water can cause burns or other harm.
- During operation, the device constantly makes gurgling sounds, which sometimes annoys vacationing apartment residents.
Users who have studied the question and all the reviews thoroughly do not have a problem, which air humidifier is better to choose - steam or ultrasonic. Analysis of the pros and cons of both products shows that preference should be given to the latter.
Are ultrasonic humidifiers harmful
This question often arises in people searching for information after reading conflicting reviews in various forums. Plus, on the network sometimes there is a video with various incorrect statements that have no basis. Such diverse information prevents the normal understanding of whether an ultrasonic humidifier is harmful.
In fact, there is no harm from such devices, both mechanical and steam, and ultrasonic. Provided that the humidifiers are used reasonably and operated according to the instructions. It is important to remember that in any business it is important to comply with the established norm, in this case, the recommended threshold of relative humidity.
Findings
In general, an ultrasonic humidifier is a good thing for the air environment of residential premises and the health of people living there. Another thing is that it is often bought and used thoughtlessly, as a result, the device is abandoned in a closet. Do not forget about the proper operation of other systems - heating and ventilation. If the room has a low temperature or stale air, additional hydration will bring only unpleasant sensations and discomfort.