In modern apartments, due to constant heating, the air is too dry. And this is harmful to people's health, children are especially sensitive to this parameter. Therefore, parents, taking care of their child, should not forget about the microclimate in those rooms where the child spends most of the time. The optimal solution to this problem is an air humidifier for a nursery. However, the supply on the modern market is very large, and it is very difficult to decide where to stop, what to buy.
Why do you need a humidifier
If a child does not sleep well, complains of stuffiness, easily gets sick and catches a cold at the slightest movement of air, and his skin dries and flakes, then the air in the apartment is too dry. So a humidifier is needed.
Dry air is very harmful to humans, since it draws out all moisture from the body and dehydrates it. As a result, the skin dries up, begins to peel off. Also, the mucous membranes dry out and cannot perform their protective functions efficiently. Therefore, children are more likely to get sick. Dry air can also cause allergies, since mucous membranes do not retain dust, and it enters the respiratory tract. Due to the low level of humidity, the child does not sleep well, does not get enough sleep, so he feels worse, his academic performance decreases, he becomes moody, nervous.
Of course, don't overdo it with a humidifier. The optimum humidity level is from 40% to 60%. However, during the heating season, batteries, pipes and heaters dry the air, and this figure drops to 20%, that is, it becomes 2-3 times lower than the norm. And this already corresponds to the climate of the desert.
So, a humidifier is a necessary household appliance. However, there are many different types on the market, and it is not always clear how they differ from each other. It is worth dwelling on each of them in more detail, analyzing the pros and cons in order to choose the right air humidifier for the nursery.
Cold steam humidifier
Principle of operation: a fan is built into the device, which drives dry air out of the room through a special wet grate. It traps dust and bacteria. The air passed through such a mesh is cleaned on the one hand and humidified on the other.
Pros:
- minimum electricity costs;
- affordable price;
- effectively humidifies the air;
- selection of modes, the ability to regulate the level of humidification;
- can be used in any room, has no age restrictions.
Minuses:
- reduces the air temperature in the room where it is installed and operating;
- weakly purifies the air;
- makes noise during work;
- the need to change filters, which increases the cost of maintaining equipment, there is also always a risk that filters of a certain type will cease to be produced.
Hot steam humidifier
Principle of operation: the same as for the previous type, the device also has a built-in fan that drives air. However, the appliance has a heating element that makes the water hot, it evaporates and humidifies the air.
Pros:
- affordable price;
- lack of replaceable filters, which reduces maintenance costs;
- fast and effective air humidification;
- hot steam kills most of the microbes, and also contributes to the faster settling of dust.
Minuses:
- the device releases a hot stream of air, on which it is easy to burn yourself, therefore it is not recommended to install such devices in the rooms of small children;
- due to hot steam, the temperature in the room rises;
- the risk of excessive humidification of the air, it is necessary to constantly monitor this parameter, therefore it is advisable to additionally acquire a hygrometer or purchase equipment with a built-in hygrostat.
A humidifier with hot steam is recommended to be installed in the rooms of those children who often have acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, since the device can function as an inhaler. It is also possible to add essential oils to the water used for evaporation. In this case, you can not only humidify the air, but also fill it with useful substances and pleasant aromas.
Ultrasonic Air Humidifier
Operating principle: ultrasonic vibrations break water into tiny particles, turning it into mist. The suspension is fed by a fan into the room, where the cloud dissipates and humidifies the air.
Pros:
- low noise level, the device is practically inaudible, so it does not distract or interfere;
- fast air humidification;
- the ability to set operating parameters, select modes, etc .;
- convenient control (display and remote control);
- availability of additional options that simplify the work with the device.
Minuses:
- can not be installed in rooms of children under 4 years old;
- the need to regularly change filter cassettes;
- do not use tap water, as in this case, a white coating may appear on furniture, walls, floors, appliances, etc.
Air humidifier with ionizer
Principle of operation: any of the options listed above can be used, but the device will be additionally equipped with an ionization function. Depending on the type selected, the positive and negative aspects of using the device will be determined. However, in the presence of an ionizer, the technician will receive a number of additional advantages:
- enhanced air purification;
- the effect of "after the rain" is created;
- negative ions are good for human health.
"Washing" the air
Principle of operation: dry and polluted air is drawn from the room into the apparatus. There is a special drum in which filter discs are located. Its lower part is lowered into a small container with water. During the operation of the device, the drum rotates, the discs are moistened. Air passes between them. As long as it moves, it cleans and moisturizes. Germs and dust are washed away. It turns out that the air is washed. He gets into the room clean and damp.
Pros:
- performing a large number of functions at once;
- high-quality air purification, copes with pollution even in very dusty and smoky areas;
- more efficient humidification than all previous types of devices.
Minuses:
- takes up a lot of space;
- the water needs to be changed often; with a high level of pollution, the device will not be able to work all night without a break;
- the need to change filters, which entails additional costs;
- one of the most expensive types of humidifiers.
Climatic complexes
It's not just a humidifier. This device performs all the functions of forming a microclimate in a room. It can both heat and cool the air, create directed flows, and also purify and fill the gas mixture with ions in the room. And, of course, it humidifies the air.
As a rule, climatic complexes have a large number of different modes. They are equipped with convenient control panels, sometimes even remote controls. The climatic complex has a comprehensive effect on the air in the room. He also has the largest list of detained harmful substances. These are not only large dust particles and several types of microbes, but also chemicals, including gaseous ones, allergens, a large number of harmful microorganisms. Thus, very clean, filtered and humidified air enters the room.
Pros:
- high quality and fast air humidification;
- the highest quality gas cleaning;
- the device works almost inaudibly;
- the ability to maintain the specified parameters of the microclimate in the room;
- a large number of modes, the ability to customize them;
- simple and convenient control.
Minuses:
- expensive maintenance;
- high price;
- self-repair and maintenance without special knowledge and skills is impossible.
The climatic complex is recommended to be installed in the children's room if the child has chronic respiratory diseases, allergies and problems with the cardiovascular system. Such an acquisition will not be superfluous even if the house is located in an industrial zone, close to sources of emission of harmful and polluting substances, as well as near busy highways.
A few tips for choosing a device
It is very difficult to choose a humidifier for children. Which one is better to decide is almost impossible, since each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, a few general recommendations can still be made. They will help you navigate a large number of different devices, since the devices differ not only in types, but also in manufacturers. And each of the brands offers several models of one type or another. So, what you need to pay attention to when choosing:
- individual approach. What is a necessity for one family may become an unnecessary toy for another. So, if there is simply dry air in the apartment, then a traditional humidifier is quite enough. If the child has serious illnesses, then preference should be given to washing the air or a climate complex;
- you need to correlate the size of the room and the performance of the humidifier. First, you need to calculate the volume of the room by multiplying the length, height and width. And then watch how many cubic meters of air the humidifier passes through itself. Ideal if twice the volume of gases passes through the filter per hour;
- the size of the water tank. The larger it is, the longer the device can work without interruption and without changing the water. As a rule, if the container holds about 5 liters, this is enough for the whole night;
- water consumption. It is also necessary to take into account how much water the device evaporates so that this parameter does not turn out to be too large, or, worse, too small;
- noise pollution. Almost all household appliances emit any sounds during operation. The quieter the machine is, the better;
- filters. Even when buying, you need to think about servicing the device. Therefore, it is necessary to find out how much the replacement elements cost, what they clean, where they are sold, where they are, why they are needed, etc.
- dimensions, you need to think in advance where the humidifier will fit;
- financial opportunities. Unfortunately, some types of humidifiers are very expensive;
- additional functions. Their presence greatly simplifies the use of the humidifier, expands its capabilities. For example, it is convenient when there is a timer that allows you not to turn off the device manually each time. The presence of modes also provides a large number of opportunities and amenities;
- the appearance of the device plays an important role.
Before buying, you need to think carefully about everything and it is advisable to decide in advance what type of air humidifier is needed in the nursery.
