STEAM HUMIDIFIER - THE PROS AND CONS, TYPES, REVIEWS

A steam humidifier is an important device that has a beneficial effect on human health, the condition of furniture, etc. However, it is very important to choose the right device, taking into account all the advantages and disadvantages, having studied the rating of the models and their features.

What is a humidifier for?

The main advantage of the device is that the product can maintain an optimum level of humidity in the room, which ranges from 45 to 65%. With a dry microclimate, the body spends a lot of fluid on hydration, as a result of which its own protective functions are reduced, which can cause dryness, peeling of the skin, tickling in the throat, and an increase in susceptibility to the effects of infections.

This problem is particularly relevant in the winter season, when the apartment has a central heating system. Do not give up the evaporator in the summer, especially when using air conditioners, as they also dry the air. Not only people suffer from a lack of moisture, but also animals, houseplants, furniture, etc.

Humidifier will avoid such problems.

But it is worth remembering that if used improperly, the humidifier can be harmful. So, for example, steam devices can cause a burn, and in case of untimely cleaning of ultrasonic devices there is an accumulation of harmful substances.

Advantages and disadvantages of steam humidifiers

Such units are 100% able to cope with their main function - air moistening. They also have higher productivity if compared with other devices - it reaches 700 ml of water per hour. True, not all models have the ability to automatically control humidity control, and indeed, when a humidity level of 90% is reached, a fungus can appear in the rooms.

The principle of operation of the device is very simple: two electrodes are located in the liquid reservoir, and when the device is turned on, they begin to pass current, as a result of which the liquid boils and evaporates. After the water runs out, the device automatically turns off.

The features of steam humidifiers include the fact that they can add aroma oils, medicinal extracts of herbs to use the device for aromatherapy or inhalation.

The advantages of such devices include:

Availability, because such products are cheaper than ultrasound.
There is no need to purchase consumables, especially in the device you can pour tap water - the resulting steam will not contain any impurities.
High level of performance - such products moisten the air much faster than ultrasonic ones.
High steam temperatures will kill most bacteria in the air.
Safety of use. The design is such that accidentally turning the device over will not work, it will also not work if the lid is not tightly closed.
Additionally, it can be used to aromatize indoor air.

But like any technology, such products have their drawbacks:

Risk of injury - if the temperature is too high, you can get burned, especially if you leave the humidifier in a place accessible to the child.
Increasing the air temperature in the room, because the device produces hot steam.
The inability to control the level of humidity in low-cost models, because of this, the hygrometer will have to be bought separately. It is important to remember that steam humidifiers work until complete evaporation of the liquid, because the humidity level in the room can reach up to 100%.
The noise level is higher than that of other devices.
Condensation may form during the operation of the device, as a result of which mold may appear in the room.

Which is better - steam or ultrasound?

To answer this question, you should also consider the pros and cons of ultrasound models. The advantages include:

the ability to control humidity due to the built-in hygrostat;
operational safety, as the produced cold steam will not cause injuries - such devices can be used without fear in children's rooms;
low power consumption - about 40 W, which is about 5 times lower than that of steam models;
the presence of the function "warm steam": if necessary, the water in the device can be heated to +80 degrees.

Among the minuses noted:

lower productivity in comparison with steam models;
sensitivity to water - you need to use distilled water and regularly change the filters;
small tank volume, as a result of which it is necessary to constantly fill the tank with frequent use.

Steam devices are suitable for moistening large areas where they are often ventilated because they have a higher level of efficiency. For this reason, they are usually used to humidify the air in the winter garden, the greenhouse, where tropical greens grow. Also worth noting is the presence of such useful features of the device as aroma lamp and inhalation.

But ultrasound models are suitable for small rooms, especially if children or pets live in an apartment, since such devices are safe and practically do not make noise.

When choosing a device, you should pay attention to several indicators:

The size of the room and the volume of air that the device is capable of producing.
Duration of continuous operation - this indicator depends on the size of the tank and water consumption. Here you should consider what you will use the device for. For example, to humidify a small garden, you can choose a steam device, and for the room in which children or animals live - ultrasound.
Noise and power consumption. The first indicator will be reflected in comfortable use, the second - on the budget.

Rating manufacturers of steam devices - choose the best

There are many manufacturers of steam humidifiers, but we will tell about the most famous.

Boneco S450

Characteristics of this device:

serviced area is 55-60 square meters;
tank capacity - 7 liters;
fluid flow rate is 550 ml / h;
there is a function to adjust the intensity of steam;
noise level is 35 dB.

The approximate cost of the model is 15,500 rubles.

Boneco S200

Main characteristics:

serviced area is 40 square meters;
tank volume - 3.5 liters;
water consumption is 300 ml / h;
there is a steam adjustment function;
noise level - 35 dB.

Approximate cost - 5,000 rubles.

Beurer LB50

The characteristics of this model are as follows:

serviced area is 50 square meters;
tank volume - 5 liters;
fluid flow - 350 ml / h.

The average price of the model is 6300 rubles.

Philips HU4802

Distinctive features of the device:

25 square meters - serviced area;
2 l - volume of the tank;
fluid flow is 200 ml / h;
there is a function to adjust the level of steam;
noise level - 26 dB.

On average, the cost of the device is 7500 rubles.

Stadler form fred F ‐ 005EH

The model looks something like a flying saucer. Moreover, its technical characteristics are as follows:

service area - up to 40 square meters;
tank capacity is 3.7 liters;
there is a function to adjust the intensity of steam;
steam level is 26 dB.

The cost of the device is from 7300 rubles.

Bork a802

Technical characteristics of the device:

service area - 30 square meters;
tank with a capacity of 4.2 liters;
water consumption is 600 ml / h.

Approximate cost - from 55 thousand rubles.

Recommendations for maintenance and repair

The main advantage of such products is that they are unpretentious in maintenance, and you can use plain tap water when refueling. However, in order for the product to work without failures, it should be regularly cleaned and processed. To wash the humidifier, proceed as follows:

unplug the device;
prepare a warm soap solution;
rinse the tank with a solution, if necessary, arm with a soft brush;
wash off soap with plenty of water;
dry;
run the humidifier.

It is important to ensure that water does not get into the electronics, as this may cause damage to the device.

If the contamination is too serious, cleaning the tank will take place differently:

The device is disconnected from the network.
Vinegar is poured into the container for 1 hour.
The tank is washed with soapy water.

In some cases, it will not be superfluous to sanitize the device, since using unpurified water in the humidifier may cause microorganisms that will be harmful to health. To avoid this problem, do the following: