A humidifier is a technical device that is designed to maintain a favorable microclimate in the room. Over time, humidifier repair or maintenance is required. For devices of this type, certain malfunctions are characteristic. Some problems can be fixed with your own hands, others require contacting a service center.
Purpose and principle of operation of the humidifier
Humidity normal for humans is 40-60%. The easiest way to maintain it at the proper level with a humidifier. The need to use the device is determined by the negative effect of too dry air on the wooden furniture in the house, indoor plants, respiratory organs. Due to the low humidity, the risk of infections increases.
The device not only saturates the air with moisture. Some devices can function as cleaners and ionizers, which favorably affects the health of people suffering from allergies, asthma.
There are three types of humidifiers. They differ in the technical device and the principle of operation:
- steam - water in the device is heated, and the resulting steam is sprayed out;
- traditional - heating does not occur, air is passed through a wet filter and due to this it is cleaned and saturated with moisture, after which it is sprayed into the room;
- ultrasonic - the design provides for a membrane that breaks up water particles into smaller ones due to the vibrations created by it, resulting in the formation of cold fog.
Regardless of the principle of operation, all devices perform one function - they increase air humidity. However, their effectiveness largely depends not only on power, but also on the type of device.
Types of devices
The color scheme, shape and design of humidifiers can be different. The main elements of the steam model include:
- outer casing;
- water tank;
- steam generator;
- a heating element;
- cooler sucking air;
- electronic control unit.
A distinctive feature of steam humidifiers is the presence of a piezoelectric element that heats the water, turning it into steam. Because of this, they have more power, therefore, consume more electricity.
The design of the ultrasonic model consists of the following elements:
- power board;
- ultrasonic emitter;
- amplifier;
- fan;
- the electronic unit.
In traditional humidifiers, air is sucked in by a fan, driven through a filter and blown into the room already saturated with moisture.
Humidifier Maintenance
Continuous operation of the device leads to its pollution. Because of this, malfunctions occur and the service life is reduced. In addition to daily quick care of the humidifier, thorough cleaning and replacement of components is necessary.
Daily care
Daily care consists of washing the device with hot water and soap, the purpose of which is to remove mucus and scale. To make the cleaning more thorough, use a brush. Before cleaning, be sure to unplug the appliance from the outlet and pour out water. Since the design of the humidifier includes electronic elements, it must be washed very carefully so that water does not leak inside. After the procedure, it should be wiped with a dry cloth and filled with fresh water.
Thorough service
Thorough cleaning is carried out every three days. By de-energizing the appliance and draining the water, wipe the container inside with vinegar diluted with water. Then the tank is thoroughly washed and dried.
Disinfection
Disinfection is carried out using household bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Unless otherwise specified in the instructions, 100 g of the product is diluted in 4 liters of water and poured into the tank. After that, the device must be connected to the network and wait until steam or fog begins to be generated, after which the humidifier is immediately turned off. Next, the liquid must be drained, and the container rinsed. Again, fill in cold water and let the appliance work until the smell of bleach disappears.
The disinfection procedure should be performed in the fresh air or with the windows open.
Change filters
The humidifier filter must be changed periodically. Once it turns gray, it's time to replace. Using a contaminated filter is harmful to health, as the smallest particles of dirt get into the air, which then settle in the lungs.
Seasonal Service
Before storing the humidifier, disinfect it, dry it, and only then pack it and put it on the shelf. Choose a cool place where direct sunlight does not fall. Disinfect again before use.
Fault diagnosis and solutions
Diagnosis of malfunctions is carried out primarily by examining the inside of the humidifier. After removing the back cover, carefully check all parts, wires, contacts. There should be no disconnected wires, blackened, swollen, melted elements.
Emitter
The failure of the membrane is indicated by the presence of cracks on it or sealed wires. If the membrane looks intact, it is wiped with a solution of table vinegar, but before that, the degree of wear should be assessed, it may be better not to repair it, but to replace it. To do this, solder the wires from the board and remove the mount.
Generator
To check the generator, you must remove the back cover of the humidifier, connect the device to the mains for a couple of minutes, and then turn off the power. The radiator of the transistor should be warm. If it is cold, the generator is faulty. In the presence of voltage, the power transistor and the control pulse generator then ring. If there is not enough experience and knowledge for this, you should contact a service center.
Piezoelectric element
The piezoelectric element is responsible for heating the water, so the health of this part can be easily checked by boiling water some time after turning on the device. If the water does not boil, this indicates a malfunction. First of all, it is necessary to check the generator. If the piezoelectric element is broken, it is changed.
Fan
The fan must be cleaned. Dust and grease accumulated on the blades may interfere with its rotation or debris wound around the base. If the procedure does not help, this means that the electric motor has burned out and needs to be replaced.
Power board
First, you should inspect the board. The contacts may have oxidized and need to be re-soldered. The presence of spots and smudges on the board indicates a breakdown. A multimeter will surely help to verify this. Capacitors should not be swollen, resistors should not be black. The electronic unit cannot be repaired without special knowledge, therefore it is easier to change it.
If the filter is clogged, you can rinse it first. But the filters in the humidifiers are still consumables, so they are changed as they become dirty.
Working moments
In case of improper handling of the device or simply from time to time, those or other elements fail. The design of air humidifiers is quite simple, but an independent repair of an air purifier should be performed only if there is basic knowledge in the field of electronics, repair skills and the necessary tools: a soldering iron, multimeter, screwdriver.
Stench
According to the rules of operation, water must be drained from the device during downtime, even if the humidifier is not used for only a day. Failure to comply with this rule is the cause of an unpleasant musty smell.This means that a bacterial colony has settled in the device, which feels great in a humid environment. Mold on the walls of the device and blooming water complete the picture.
To get rid of the problem, it is necessary to disinfect the device by flushing the parts in contact with water and replacing the liquid in the tank. Deeper cleaning is carried out using table vinegar. 3 tbsp. acid must be poured into the device for 1 hour. For cleaning, 3% hydrogen peroxide, a 10- or 20% solution of citric acid are also used. The liquid is poured, and the tank is thoroughly washed under running water.
Sometimes it is worth replacing or rinsing the filter with clean water, as bacteria often accumulate there. Some filter models cannot be cleaned; they can only be replaced.
The membrane in ultrasonic devices is cleaned. To do this, de-energize the device, then remove the panel located on the back side and the coupler, remove the upper roller from the membrane, and extend the lower one. The membrane itself is removed, washed with water and dried on a towel, then installed in the humidifier in the reverse order. It is impossible to exert a mechanical effect on the membrane, for example, rub it with a metal sponge or scrape with a knife, because of this it breaks down.
After the first start-up of a new humidifier, the characteristic smell of plastic often spreads in the room. This is normal if after 2-3 hours it will disappear and subsequently will no longer bother.
No steam
The steam is absent immediately after switching on or goes on first, but stops after a few minutes. The absence of steam indicates damage to one of the parts responsible for heating water or spraying. These include:
- generator;
- membrane in ultrasound devices;
- fan;
- the electronic unit.
The nature of the breakdown can be determined only by disassembling the device.
No air
This malfunction occurs when the air passages become clogged or the fan breaks down. If the blades rotate, but slowly, it is worth thoroughly cleaning them. The sticking dirt may interfere with the rotation. A malfunction can also be in the absence of contact. The idle fan must be replaced.
The air inlet is cleaned, the filter is rinsed or replaced. If the measures taken have not yielded results, it is worth taking the device for repair.
Not working at all
If the humidifier does not show “signs of life” at all, it could be a violation of the power supply of the device. It is necessary to check the integrity of the plug, socket, wire, the presence of electricity. If no problems are found, you should disassemble the humidifier, after draining the water, and dry all parts. It is necessary to check the operation of the fuse in the mains plug, replacing it in case of failure. Sensors may be damaged.
Humidifiers heal the atmosphere in the house, but require daily care. If the device is constantly used and not cleaned, it will begin to do more harm than good over time, and then it will break down pretty quickly. You can repair the humidifier yourself, but you will have to solve some problems at the service center.
