Humidifiers

Have you ever considered that dry air might be the cause of your tickly throat, cracked lips or blocked nose? Read on to find out what does a humidifier do and what are its benefits!

What is humidity?

Humidity indicates how much water vapour is present in the air. The human body is quite sensitive to fluctuations in humidity. If you suffer from allergies, asthma or eczema, it’s doubly true. Optimum humidity is around 50% – usually in the range of 40–60%. The air tends to be driest in winter. When it’s time to turn the heating on, the humidity in your home can drop to as little as 20%, which is comparable to the humidity in a desert.

Why get a humidifier for your flat, house or office?

• Optimal humidity boosts your body’s overall resilience and immunity.
• Dry mucous membranes in the respiratory tract are easily irritated and more susceptible to infection. Dry air can therefore cause a dry cough, a chronic cough or frequent respiratory illness.
• You may experience extended fatigue and exhaustion when living in a dry environment. Dry air puts increased stress on the body, so you may not feel rested, even after a long sleep.
• Dry respiratory mucous membranes may also cause snoring.
• With dry air, dust particles are constantly flying around and static electricity is generated.
• Dry air leads to dry skin. This is especially important if you suffer from eczema, psoriasis or similar conditions where the skin needs to actively retain moisture.
• Dry air can be a problem for your beauty too. Dry skin is more prone to wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
• Dryness is not ideal for the rest of your household either. Furniture or paintings can degrade more quickly. Pets and house plants may not fare so well either.

Now you know why you don’t want the air at home to be too dry. However, “the wetter the better” is not the answer either. If the humidity exceeds 60%, you risk the growth of microorganisms and mould in your home.

How to choose the best humidifier

What features are good to watch out for?

• Hygrostat: A hygrostat is an automatic humidity regulator. In other words, this kind of humidifier monitors the humidity in the air itself and switches on and off automatically, keeping the humidity optimal at all times.
• Humidity control: Choose a unit with multiple humidification levels so you can set the ideal mode for your home.
• Antimicrobial design: Microorganisms can easily multiply in stagnant water, and you definitely don’t want to release them into the air. If you are not prepared to clean your water tank regularly and thoroughly, use a model that has special filters or other forms of treatment. Either this or you can use ionising silver, which s available in the form of bars or cubes, in the water.

What about the design itself?

• A sufficiently large tank: A small tank only lasts for a short operating time. If you want to use the humidifier for long intervals, e.g. all night, the tank must be large enough.
• Room size: For humidifiers, the manufacturer usually indicates the appropriate room size in m3. For example, a small battery-powered humidifier will probably have low output and will not humidify a large room effectively. A more powerful humidifier, on the other hand, is fine for a small room.
• Wheels and handles: If you are planning to move the humidifier from one room to another, choose one that is nice and portable – such as one with castors or convenient handles.

How to choose a humidifier for children

• Children’s air humidifiers have a playful design that children will love.
• Clean the appliance regularly or invest in a model with antibacterial treatment.
• Don’t forget to ensure your humidifier for a baby or child has a quiet motor so that your child can sleep peacefully.

Types of humidifiers

Ultrasonic humidifier

An ultrasonic air humidifier breaks water into microscopic droplets using high-frequency waves. The droplets are then released in the form of steam. This is the most common type today.

Advantages

• Low energy consumption.
• Quiet operation.
• Suitable for homes with children and pets.

Disadvantages

• If the water is dirty, it will release bacteria and microorganisms into the air. The water tank should therefore be cleaned regularly, ideally using boiled or filtered water to run it.

Steam humidifier

A steam humidifier or vapouriser boils water inside it and releases the resulting steam.

Advantages

• Steam humidifiers boil the water themselves, making the steam hygienically clean.

Disadvantages

• Higher energy consumption.
• There is hot water inside it. This type is therefore not suitable for households with small children and excitable pets. There is a risk of burns if the humidifier were knocked over.

Cold air humidifier

Equipped with filters or discs that disperse water into the air. Unlike other types, there is no visible vapour, as it releases water already dispersed in the air.

Advantages

• This is the most “natural” humidification method.
• There is no risk of over-humidification – a cold humidifier only releases as much water as the air can hold.
• It is able to trap some allergens and dust particles, but not to the same level as an air purifier.
• Suitable for children and pets.

Disadvantages

• The water is susceptible to bacterial growth. It is therefore necessary to clean the device regularly and thoroughly, or choose a model with antibacterial treatment.
• It may be noisier, so it is not suitable as a bedroom humidifier.

Additional functions

In addition to humidification, you can also find other handy features for a happier life.

Combined air purifier and humidifier – 2-in-1

An air purifier with a humidifier (or a humidifier with a purifier) both humidifies and purifies the air – of bacteria, viruses and even unpleasant odours. These models usually have a carbon filter or HEPA filter.

Air humidifier with ioniser

An ioniser produces negative ions that destroy microorganisms and also reduce flying dust particles. The dust is collected and settles because of the ioniser – then you can simply wipe it off.

Diffuser & humidifier

If the model is designed for this, essential oil can be added to a special compartment. A humidifier with  a diffuser doesn’t just humidify the air in the room, but also adds a beautiful scent.

How to use a humidifier correctly

• Always place the humidifier on the floor, ideally in the middle of the room so that the steam does not fall directly on the walls or furniture.
• Don’t open the windows while it is in use, and close the door to let it work efficiently.
• If your model is not equipped with a hygrostat, you can get a simple hygrometer separately and check that the humidity is within the correct range.

So which model are you going for? Do you fancy a fragrant diffuser and humidifier, or would you rather have an air purifier and humidifier in one? Choose now at Notino!

 

 

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