In modern apartments, due to constant heating, the air is too dry. And this is harmful to human 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 best solution to this problem is a humidifier for children. However, the offer in the modern market is very large, and it is very difficult to decide what to stop at, what to buy.
Why you need a humidifier
If a child does not sleep well, complains of stuffiness, easily falls ill and gets cold at the slightest air movement, and his skin dries and peels, then the apartment has too dry air. So a humidifier is needed.
Dry air is very harmful to humans, because it draws all the moisture out of the body, dehydrates it. As a result, the skin dries up, begins to peel off. The mucous membranes also dry out and cannot perform their protective functions qualitatively. Therefore, children are often sick. Dry air can also cause allergies, because the mucous membranes do not retain dust, and it gets into the respiratory tract. Due to the low level of humidity, the child does not sleep well, does not get enough sleep, therefore, he feels worse, academic performance decreases, and he becomes capricious and nervous.
Of course, with the use of a humidifier, you need not to overdo it. The optimum humidity level is from 40% to 60%. However, during the heating season, batteries, pipes and heaters dry the air, and this indicator drops to the level of 20%, that is, it becomes 2-3 times lower than normal. And this already corresponds to the desert climate.
So, an air 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 worthwhile to dwell on each of them in more detail, to analyze the pros and cons in order to choose the right 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 grill. It traps dust and bacteria. Air passed through such a mesh is cleaned on the one hand, and moistened on the other.
Pros:
- minimum electricity costs;
- affordable price;
- effectively moisturizes the air;
- the choice of modes, the ability to control the level of moisture;
- can be used in any room, has no age restrictions.
Minuses:
- reduces air temperature in the room where it is installed and works;
- weakly cleans the air;
- noise during operation;
- the need to change filters, which increases the cost of servicing equipment, there is always a risk that filters of a certain type will no longer be produced.
Hot steam humidifier
Principle of operation: the same as the previous type, a fan is also built into the device, which drives air out. However, the device has a heating element that makes the water hot; it evaporates and moisturizes the air.
Pros:
- affordable price;
- lack of replaceable filters, which reduces maintenance costs;
- quick and effective air humidification;
- Hot steam kills most microbes and also contributes to faster dust settling.
Minuses:
- the device releases a hot stream of air, which is easily burned, so it is not recommended to install such devices in the rooms of small children;
- due to hot steam, the temperature in the room rises;
- risk of excessive air humidification, you must constantly monitor this parameter, so it is advisable to additionally acquire a hygrometer or purchase equipment with a built-in hygrostat.
It is recommended to install a humidifier with hot steam in the rooms of those children who often suffer from acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, because the device can act as an inhaler. It is also possible to add essential oils to the water used for evaporation. In this case, you can not only moisten the air, but also fill it with useful substances and pleasant aromas.
Ultrasonic humidifier
Principle of action: ultrasonic vibrations break water into tiny particles, turning it into fog. The suspension is fed by a fan into the room, where the cloud disperses and humidifies the air.
Pros:
- low noise level, the device is practically inaudible, therefore it does not distract and does not interfere;
- rapid air humidification;
- the ability to set operating parameters, select modes, etc.
- convenient control (display and remote control);
- the presence of additional options that simplify the work with the device.
Minuses:
- Do not install in rooms of children under 4 years old;
- the need to regularly change filter cartridges;
- Do not use tap water, because in this case a white coating may appear on furniture, walls, floors, appliances, etc.
Humidifier with ionizer
Principle of operation: any of the above options 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, if there is an ionizer, the technician will receive a number of additional advantages:
- enhanced air purification;
- creates the effect of "after the rain";
- negative ions are good for human health.
"Sinks" of air
Principle of operation: dry and polluted air is drawn from the premises 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 operation, the drum rotates, the discs are wetted. Between them air passes. As it moves, it cleans and moisturizes. Microbes and dust are washed off. It turns out that the air is washed. It gets into the room clean and wet.
Pros:
- performing a large number of functions at once;
- high-quality air purification, copes with pollution even in very dusty and smoky areas;
- More effective hydration than all previous types of devices.
Minuses:
- takes up a lot of space;
- 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 is not just a moisturizer. This device performs all the functions of forming a microclimate in a room. It can both heat and cool the air, create directional flows, as well as clean and fill the gas mixture in the room with ions. Well, of course, moisturizes the air.
As a rule, climatic complexes have a large number of different modes. They are equipped with convenient control panels, sometimes even remotes. The climate complex comprehensively affects the air in the room. He also has the largest list of detained harmful substances. These are not only large particles of dust and several types of microbes, but also chemicals, including gaseous, 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 treatment;
- the device works almost inaudibly;
- the ability to maintain the specified microclimate in the room;
- a large number of modes, the ability to customize them;
- simple and convenient operation.
Minuses:
- expensive service;
- 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 would not be out of place if the house is located in an industrial zone, close to sources of emissions of harmful and polluting substances, and also near busy highways.
A few tips for choosing a device
It is very difficult to choose a humidifier for children. Which is better to solve is almost impossible, because each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, some general recommendations can still be made. They will help you navigate in a large number of different devices, because 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 necessary for one family may become an unnecessary toy for another. So, if the apartment is just dry air, then a traditional humidifier is enough. If the child has serious illnesses, then preference should be given to air washing or climatic 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, multiplying the length, height and width. And then look at how many cubic meters of air a humidifier passes through itself. Ideal if a filter passes twice as much gas per hour;
- size of water tank. The larger it is, the longer the device will be able to work without a break and without replacing water. As a rule, if the capacity holds about 5 liters, this is enough for the whole night;
- water consumption. It is 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 any household appliance makes any sounds during operation. The quieter the device, the better;
- filters. Even when buying, you need to think about maintaining 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 located, why they are needed, etc.
- dimensions, you need to think in advance where the humidifier will stand;
- financial opportunities. Unfortunately, some types of humidifiers have a very high price;
- 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 to not turn off the device each time manually. The presence of modes also provides a large number of features and amenities;
- not the least role is played by the appearance of the device.
Before buying, you need to carefully think through everything and it is advisable to decide in advance what type of humidifier is needed in the children's room.
