When buying an ultrasonic humidifier, there are many questions about its use. Humidity indicators, the placement of the humidifier in the room, the duration of its operation, and the distinctive features and functions of the device – we will consider all of this in this article.
Air humidity indicators
The main purpose of humidifiers is to humidify the air in the room to eliminate the dryness of the air that has arisen for one reason or another.
But before using the device, the question often arises: how to determine the humidity or dryness of the air in what units? After all, improper use of a humidifier can cause harm instead of benefit.
It has already happened that only one indicator is used everywhere – “Relative humidity.” The indicator is calculated as the ratio of two specific physical characteristics of air and is measured as a percentage.
R.H. = vapour pressure/saturation vapour pressure × 100
Absolute humidity measures how much water vapor is actually in the air.
The maximum absolute humidity is the amount of water vapor that can be contained in the air at a specific temperature in thermodynamic equilibrium. As the air temperature rises, its maximum humidity increases.
The use of only an indicator of relative humidity has led to a widespread but fundamentally erroneous opinion:
A humidifier is needed in winter when radiators dry the air.
The lack of humidity in the room is usually noticed when cold weather sets in. At this time, the heating season begins, and many associate both events together. In fact, the cause of dryness in the room is dry air in the winter atmosphere, from where it enters the room during ventilation.
The most accurate estimate is the absolute humidity – the actual amount of moisture in the air.
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Humidifier placement
Proper placement of a working humidifier is a guarantee of the safety of both the device itself and the interior items and other devices located in the room.
Place the device at a height of at least 30 cm from the floor and away from computers and other sensitive electronic equipment.
Do not place the device next to windows, under a working air conditioner, or in the immediate vicinity of electric heaters.
In order to avoid damage to furniture and other interior items, the humidifier must be at a sufficient distance from them during operation.
Ultrasonic Humidifier running time
How long should a humidifier run? The answer is obvious – until the desired humidity is reached.
Ultrasonic humidifiers can have three modes of operation:
- auto
- night
- manual
Automatic mode. Manufacturers of appliances with this feature usually indicate when the automation turns on water spray. This is the relative humidity level of the air at a particular temperature. We supplement their data – we calculate the mass of water vapor contained in the air:
| Air temperature, °С | Relative humidity, % | Mass of water vapor, g/m³ |
| 19 and below | 65–70 | 11.2 |
| 20–21 | 60–65 | 11.1 |
| 22–23 | 55–60 | 11.5 |
| 24–25 | 50–55 | 11.7 |
| 26–27 | 45–50 | 11.9 |
| 28–29 | 40 | 11.1 |
| 30–32 | 35 | 11.3 |
| 33–36 | thirty | 11.6 |
| 37 and up | 25 | 11.7 |
When considering the updated table, a clear relationship between the first two indicators and the mass of water vapor in the air is immediately traced. The mass indicator is stable. Its value is in the range of 11–12 g/m³. And this optimal humidity level for the inhabitants of the middle zone was taken into account when designing the automation of devices.
To visualize the actual humidity in the room, many humidifiers have color illumination of the housing. It is simple and usually has three levels: low, medium (useful for humans), and high.
It is worth taking into account that the humidifier determines the level of humidity in the immediate vicinity of the device. More accurate information will be obtained by measuring the humidity level with a thermo hygrometer at several points in the room. And in this case, the data in the table will be very useful.
Night mode:
An ultrasonic humidifier is a fairly quiet device. But in the bedroom and nursery, even a little noise from his work can disrupt sleep or interfere with his comfortable falling asleep.
The night mode function reduces the intensity of the humidifier and therefore reduces the generated noise. It reduces the risk of over-humidification of the air in the room.
Manual mode. The operating time of the humidifier in this mode can be determined empirically by periodically measuring the air humidity and adjusting the power and operating time of the humidifier. In addition to the hygrometer already mentioned, one of the models of home weather stations is suitable for this purpose.
Using the appliance in summer
In summer, the humidity in the atmosphere is high, and it would seem, there is no need for a humidifier. But even then, the device can be useful, especially in a room with a working air conditioner. Unlike heating appliances, the air conditioner actually dries the air – the water condensed from the air flows down the evaporator radiator and is then discharged outside.
Sterilization of water and air
A distinctive feature of the ultrasonic humidifier: everything that is in the poured water will be in the air when it is sprayed. And therefore, it will enter the user’s body when breathing or settling on the surfaces of the room.
The white plaque on the floor, furniture, and other interior items is the first sign of poor-quality water used for spraying.
The presence of an ultraviolet lamp in the humidifier allows you to sterilize the water sprayed by the membrane. It is installed in the water conduits of the device and is closed with a lid to protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation.
The function “Warm mist” (Warm Mist) is activated in ultrasonic humidifier with preheated water. Before being fed to the membrane, the water is heated to 80 °C and thus purified from microbes, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms. In addition to sterilizing water, it slightly heats the air in the room, which is very useful in the cold season.
Many ultrasonic humidifiers have a special antibacterial tank coating. It protects water from the spread of pathogenic bacteria and harmful microorganisms.
The ionization function saturates the air with negatively charged ions. It helps eliminate unpleasant odors in the room and has a beneficial effect on the body.
Electrified by ions, the smallest particles of dust and dirt in the air are attracted to furniture, floors, and other interior items and settle on them. The settled pollution is finally removed from the room during wet cleaning.
Ozonation
Ozonation is one of the most effective methods of air purification and disinfection. But do not forget that ozone is a very strong oxidizing agent and extremely toxic even in low concentrations.
Therefore, in humidifiers with this function, ozone is produced in a very small amount. But its concentration is sufficient for periodic air disinfection. The duration of using this function is directly related to the power of the Ozonator and is written in the instructions for the device. It is recommended to use this function in a room without people and animals, and after ozonation, thoroughly ventilate the room.
Features of Using Ultrasonic Humidifier
Smartphone-controlled humidifiers can be controlled via an app installed on a smartphone. For communication with a smartphone, these devices are equipped with a Wi-Fi function.
Modern “smart” humidifiers with ecosystem functions have the ability to connect and interact with the ecosystem of appliances in the house.
The air aromatization function is available not only for small air fresheners, where special oils are added directly to the filled water. In larger models, a special sponge tray is provided for this purpose.
Distinctive Features
Unlike traditional and steam humidifiers, ultrasonic devices are compact and light in weight (without water filled into the tank). So, with a width of 18–19 cm and a height of up to 30 cm, devices with a tank volume of 3–3.5 liters weigh only 0.7–1.3 kg.
Decorative desktop models with a tank volume of up to 1 liter weigh even less. In addition, these miniature devices often serve as lamps and have an original design. What turns them into accessories for decorating the interior?
Ultrasonic humidifiers are the quietest type of humidifier. The level of their noise during operation does not exceed 25-35 dB. Ultrasonic vibrations of the membrane are inaccessible to the perception of the human ear. A low-power fan makes almost no sound. The gurgling sound heard at the level of a whisper mainly occurs when water flows from the reservoir into the steam chamber.
Ultrasonic humidifiers have extremely low power consumption. The power of devices without water heating does not exceed 30–35 W and humidifiers with the “warm mist” function – 110–120 W.
Modern ultrasonic humidifiers have a wide range of regulations on the intensity of evaporation, which allows you to provide an individual level of humidity in the room.
The only negative feature of an ultrasonic humidifier is the spraying of impurities dissolved in water over the entire area of the room. The problem is eliminated by using purified or distilled water. As well as the use of filter cartridges for water purification and softening.
Instrument maintenance
Maintenance of the humidifier is reduced to the periodic filling of water into the tank and the periodic cleaning of the device itself. Maintenance of the outer surface of the device is simple – just wipe it with a damp soft cloth.
Cleaning the inside of the appliance is more difficult.
The impurities dissolved in the poured water are far from all scattered along with the created fog. Some of them settle and accumulate inside the device – in the reservoir, conduits, on the ultrasonic membrane itself. In models with the “warm mist” function, scale deposits in the heating chamber and on the membrane.
