Comfort in the apartment depends not only on temperature and enough light, but also on humidity. This article describes what air humidity is, what the optimal humidity should be, and how to create a normal level of humidity in the apartment.
Content:
- What is air humidity and how to measure it
- Humidity standards in the apartment
- What should be optimal humidity in the apartment
- Why do you need a humidifier
- How to choose a good air humidifier
- Why do you need an air ionizer with a moisturizing function
- Recommendations for moisturizing the apartment
What is air humidity and how to measure it
Air humidity is the amount of water vapor, which is present in the air. It depends on the temperature in the room and outside it, on the ventilation, on the heating systems and on the materials that were used in the decoration of the apartment. Air humidity is absolute and relative.
The absolute humidity shows how many grams of steam are in a cubic meter of air. It is measured in grams on M3.
Relative humidity shows how many percent of the water vapor is in the air relatively as possible.
It is the values of relative humidity that are used to determine humidity in domestic conditions. For example, in the shower room relative humidity can reach 80%, and in the bedroom, where heating is included, and for a long time the windows have not opened, humidity can be less than 30%.
Measure humidity using a special device – hygrometer. It works for electricity or batteries. He is hung on the wall, and he shows humidity in percent and room temperature.
Humidity standards in the apartment
According to sanitary standards, the relative humidity in the room may vary depending on the time of year. So, in winter, air humidity can be 30–45%, and in summer 30-60%. Such parameters are due to the fact that at different times of the year, a different amount of steam enters the room from the street. In winter, the couple in the air is not enough, in the spring and autumn – more, and in the summer – a lot. The humidity also enters the apartment not only from the street, but also appears inside the apartment. For example, one person per day emits about 300 g/h steam, and a boiling pan of soup on the plate – about 700 g/h.
What should be optimal humidity in the apartment
The optimal humidity can be selected based on your own sensations. If a person, when he is in the apartment, feels dry throat, nose or eyes and his skin dries on his face, this means that the air in the room is dry, and relative humidity does not exceed 20%.
Low humidity is especially felt after waking up in the morning. A person wakes up and feels that he has dry throat and nose, his palms are dry and there is a little itching. The air itself is heavy, and it is difficult for them to breathe. Such an atmosphere is poorly affected by sleep. It is extremely difficult to fall asleep in such an environment. Dry air is also not recommended for people who have problems with the respiratory system or during respiratory diseases.
In order for the situation in the apartment to be comfortable, it is necessary that the humidity is about 40%. This can be done with improvised means, using a humidifier of air or an ionizer of air with a moisturizing function.
Why do you need a humidifier
Air humidifier is a device that artificially moisturizes the air. Thanks to this technical solution, you can relatively quickly raise and maintain the desired humidity in the apartment, regardless of weather conditions. They differ among themselves on the principle of action. There are ultrasonic, traditional and steam humidifiers.
Ultrasound is the most common type of moisturizers. Its design includes a membrane that creates fluctuations at very high frequencies. Intensive vibrations break down the water into small particles. At the exit from the device, a cooled fog is obtained. Ultrasonic humidifiers are faster than traditional air with moisture, but consume more electricity. The ultrasonic humidifier not only moisturizes, but also reduces the temperature in the room by several degrees. Therefore, it can be used in the summer. The peculiarity of this moisturizer is that it produces microscopic drops of water that do not mix with air. And if such a fog is inhale, a person can start sneezing.
The humidifier must be periodically cleaned. Its parts must be washed under running water, otherwise a fungus and mold may appear inside.
Traditional humidifiers suck in air and pass it through a wet filter. Thus, the air in the room is moistened by about 5% per hour. Traditional humidifiers consume little electricity, moisturize and purify the air. But they are more expensive than other types and slowly saturate the air with moisture. The filters of such humidifiers need to be regularly cleaned from dust.
A steam humidifier is a device that boils water and produces steam, which moisturizes the room. Its principle of operation is similar to an ordinary electric kettle. Water gets from the tank to the heating element and evaporates. In steam humidifiers, as a rule, there is a special compartment where you can add aromatic oils with a pleasant smell.
Steam moisturizers are rarely used. They spend a lot of electricity, make a sound in the form of a hiss and emit hot steam. Because of this, in the summer in the room it becomes hot and stuffy. The convenience of the steam humidifier is that the steam that it produces is completely sterile, it does not have bacteria and microorganisms. In winter, such a steam generator can make the room warmer. Some steam humidifiers have a function of simulating fire, so they can be used not only to moisturize air, but also as a decorative element in the interior.
How to choose a good air humidifier
The first thing you need to pay attention to is what kind of room the humidifier is designed for.
Here the principle is the same as that of the air conditioner. The larger the area, the more powerful and more expensive the equipment, and the more water it is able to evaporate. For example, a humidifier, designed for a room of 30 squares, consumes an average of 300 ml of water.
It is also important in the humidifier to pay attention to its design. The case should easily understand so that it can be quickly cleaned or replaced by water.
It is more convenient to use devices with automatic operation. Such a humidifier will turn on and turn off on its own when necessary. It is also worth paying attention to the noise level, it should not exceed 35 dB.
Why do you need an air ionizer with a moisturizing function
To moisturize air, you can also use an air ionizer with a moisturizing function. The ionizer is a device that filters and saturates the air with ions, so it becomes clean and fresh. Ionizers are also able to moisturize the air. This is due to the production of cold steam, as in a traditional moisturizer.
Thus, at the exit from the ionizer, moisturized and clean air is obtained without dust and impurities. Ionizers, like ordinary humidifiers, are selected under a certain area of the room. The more ions the ionizer can develop, the more area it can serve. The advantage of the ionizer is that it cleanses the air better than any humidifier. However, such a device costs more.
By the way: now there are air conditioners on the market with the function of hydration of air. However, they moisturize the air completely on the minimum values that do not particularly affect the microclimate of the apartment. The fact is that in such air conditioners there is no reservoir with water, from where it can be taken and evaporated in the room. In such air conditioners, the air for cooling is not taken from the premises, as in ordinary air conditioners, but from the street. Therefore, the air turns out a little wet. Instead of buying a more expensive air conditioner with a moisturizing function, it is better to use an ordinary air conditioner paired with an air humidifier, it will be cheaper and more efficient.
Recommendations for moisturizing the apartment
To maintain a favorable microclimate in the apartment, the room needs to be ventilated 2-3 times a day. Even if the room is used in the room and the humidifier is used, it is necessary to ventilate.
Cleaning also helps to moisten the air well. It is enough to wipe the walls, furniture and floor with a wet towel and will immediately become fresh in the apartment.
It is also worth paying attention to the ventilation that is in the apartment. Through it, the “spent” air goes outside, and the air circulation occurs in the room, where the new one constantly enters, and the old one comes out. Ventilation conclusions must be kept clean, and wiped them from the inside at least once a month so that the air can freely leave the apartment.
In winter, in the rooms near the radiators you can put vases with water. She will gradually evaporate and moisturize the air.
When using a moisturizer, it is better to pour distilled or filtered water into it, otherwise white stains on furniture and walls can remain from the steam.
The air humidifier needs to be disassembled at least once every 2 weeks and washed it so that mold does not appear inside. If there is a filter in the design, it also needs to be cleaned and changed at least once a year.
Conclusions
It is much more practical to use an ultrasonic humidifier. It quickly moisturizes the air, spends little electricity and is inexpensive. A high -quality humidifier can be bought for 2-5 thousand rubles. He will be able to serve the room up to 30 square meters.
If the apartment needs not only to moisturize, but also to clean the air, it is better to buy an ionizer. It will be especially useful if someone smokes in the apartment. The ionizer for a small area of the room up to 30 sq.m will cost around 4-8 thousand rubles.
The steam humidifier can be considered if the air is moistened only in the winter, and if the steam generator is planned to be used for decorative purposes, as an imitation of a fireplace.
