Home air humidifiers have long been an excellent way to improve the microclimate in a residential area. They have been proven to effectively increase humidity levels during dry periods such as winter.
But the owners of devices are often faced with all sorts of problems: either a puddle forms, or tables are covered with a whitish bloom, then together with a new useful "tenant" a loud one settles in the house, interfering with sleep, noise.
Many of the troubles can be quickly eliminated by choosing the right place for installing the device. In this article, we will give recommendations on where to put a humidifier in the room so that it better cope with its functions.
The content of the article:
- Installation site selection criteria
-
Where is the best place for a humidifier?
- Option # 1 - kitchen windowsill
- Option # 2 - bedroom or children's room
- Option # 3 - a study or a teenager's room
- Option # 4 - living room or hall
- Option # 5 - greenhouse or winter garden
- Most inappropriate installation areas
- General rules for choosing a place
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Installation site selection criteria
The choice of location largely depends on type of humidifier, technical characteristics and features of the model itself. For example, a bulky floor-standing unit cannot be placed on shelves or tables, and a compact decorative device is unlikely to cope with humidifying the air in a hall or living room, wherever it is placed.
To begin with, let's consider what qualities of a humidifier you need to pay attention to when buying it, so that you do not suddenly encounter unpleasant "surprises" later. Each of the listed properties in one way or another affects the choice of the installation site, temporary or permanent.
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The size depends on the volume of the water tank: the larger the container, the larger the device itself. Large and heavy humidifiers are designed to be installed on the floor, on a level and stable base. Smaller, lighter appliances are often placed on horizontal surfaces that are raised above the floor: tables, shelves, window sills
The most productive are steam units, which can raise the humidity level in the room up to 90%. Such norms are not always acceptable: parameters of 50-60% are considered normal. If you are not going to arrange "tropics" in the apartment, for small rooms it is better to use an ultrasonic humidifier
Interval mode appliances can spoil the quality of living with loud noise, especially at night. We recommend that you do not install units with a noisy fan in bedrooms or children's rooms. For them, choose either low-noise devices, or options with a special night mode of operation.
While a steam appliance can quickly and efficiently saturate the air with moisture, conventional and ultrasonic appliances operate more "smoothly". At the same time, humidifiers with a membrane, even if filters are installed, together with the "fog" throw into the air and minerals in the water. They form a plaque covering furniture, flowers, carpets.
# 1 - weight and size of appliances
# 2 - potential degree of moisture
# 3 - noise level
# 4 - humidifier features
Taking into account the characteristics, they decide where it is better to put a home air humidifier: in a spacious living room or in small office, on the floor or table, in the corner or center of the room, on the bedside table or away from the seats recreation.
It is easier, if you do not purchase a device for installation in one permanent place, then you can accurately select the device according to your parameters. Often, the device "moving" from place to place must be universal, with adjustable parameters and the ability to install on any surface.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the best moisturizers for houses and apartments that have received recognition and positive feedback from the owners.
Where is the best place for a humidifier?
And now we will "walk" through the entire apartment and find out where a humidifying device is needed and where not. It refers to home appliances, which are not acquired for beauty and not for “to be”, therefore we will determine the degree of its usefulness.
Option # 1 - kitchen windowsill
The device that flaunts on the windowsill in the kitchen is really surprising. They explain its appearance in a room where the level of humidity is already sufficient, for various reasons - for example, caring for seedlings planted in the spring.
Despite the fact that the kitchen often serves as a dining room and the whole family gathers in it, a humidifier is not installed there. Excessive moisture causes the risk of respiratory diseases, swelling of parquet floors and kitchen facades, the appearance of mold in the corners, along the baseboards and under the wallpaper.
The kitchen is classified as a room with a normal humidity level, which is maintained by the constant use of water. It is not too humid there either due to well-established ventilation.
The only exception is the spacious kitchens, which are at least 20 m² in size. In them, the humidifier is placed against a wall located at a distance from the "working area" - sinks and stoves.
In studio apartments, the kitchen is often part of the common room, therefore, it is serviced, along with the rest of the area, by one powerful unit.
Option # 2 - bedroom or children's room
Separate bedrooms, as well as the nursery, belong to the recreation rooms - the rooms in which family members spend the night hours. Small children often sleep during the day, so special conditions are observed for them.
If a humidifier is installed in the kitchen on rare occasions, then it is simply necessary for a bedroom or children's room. The resting body benefits from air with normal humidity: only in comfortable conditions a person can sleep well and get energized for the coming day.
Silence contributes to good and healthy sleep, along with darkness, so one of the conditions for purchasing a humidifier specifically for the bedroom is a low noise level.
Dryness, on the other hand, is very harmful to a person, especially when he is in a defenseless state - asleep. Therefore, buying a humidifier for your bedroom is the right decision.
But at the same time, you need to think over the rules for installing the device:
- do not put it too close to the bed, especially the nursery;
- choose the quietest device with the "night" mode;
- do not install the device in the middle of a room or in any other place where you might accidentally stumble upon it in the dark.
If the humidifier is intended for a preschool toddler's room, it is better to choose the option decorated in funny design, but you need to install the device out of reach - so that the child does not accidentally drop the device or burned myself.
Safer are traditional devices or ultrasound devices from special children's series, made of harmless plastic, with rounded contours and accessible to the child management
Pay attention to special humidifiers for newborns - low-power and quiet devices with additional filtration and the function of cleaning the air from germs and allergens.
But do not forget that ultrasonic devices spray into the air and all impurities in the water. Before placing the device in the nursery, be sure to consult with an experienced pediatrician. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the pros and cons using a humidifier in a nursery.
Option # 3 - a study or a teenager's room
A study room or study is different in that it is intended for work or study.
If in the office one of the adults usually works with literature or technology, conducts business or friendly meetings, then in the nursery the pupil or student is also asleep, therefore the requirements for the installation of the humidifier rise.
Often they arrange a library in the office, placing publications in cupboards and on shelves. It is known that high humidity is much more dangerous for paper than dryness.
In addition to books, the office may contain expensive computer equipment, which should also be protected from high humidity. If you want to keep rare editions or a brand new laptop intact, keep the humidifier away from cabinets and desks.
A small appliance is sometimes placed directly on the desk. This is possible if the sprayed moisture does not harm the paper products and does not cause constant cleaning. It is better to use a corner or the center of the room that is far from the workplace.
Option # 4 - living room or hall
A living room or a spacious hall usually serves for gathering and joint relaxation of all family members. As a rule, this is one of the most voluminous rooms, well heated and therefore requiring additional humidification.
According to statistics, most of the humidifiers are purchased specifically for the common room. There is a lot of free space and there are several options for a successful installation.
The place is chosen by first studying the manufacturer's recommendations. Floor-standing units are installed exclusively on the floor, having prepared a solid and level base. Decorative compact appliances can be placed on a coffee table in the middle of the room, on a windowsill with a spray towards the center, or on a cabinet shelf, making sure that the "fog" does not damage the furniture.
If the unit is too efficient, then at maximum mode, a puddle may form around it. Excessive moisture is dangerous for carpets, laminate or parquet flooring, but absolutely harmless for linoleum or tiles.
If you decide to put the device near the sofa, make sure that it does not interfere with the rest and does not spray water towards the upholstered furniture.
Remember that both natural wood and chipboard swell from high humidity and then shrink if constant moisture is stopped abruptly.
If the hall has expensive parquet or fine wood furniture, we recommend that you consult with specialists before purchasing the unit.
Option # 5 - greenhouse or winter garden
When buying a humidifier specifically for indoor plants, start by selecting the type of appliance. This is one of the rare cases where traditional and ultrasonic devices, and preference is given to the steam unit.
The steam humidifier creates a humid microclimate more quickly than others due to the rapid evaporation of water, while the high temperature of the heated device does not interfere with the plants, but acts to their advantage
If you decide to install the device on a loggia turned into a winter garden, or just in a room with a lot of home flowers, think over the arrangement of both the device and the plants.
Try to keep the moisture-loving plants close to the humidifier, and place the rest around the perimeter. Some species do not tolerate constant moisture on the leaves, so an adjustable device is needed.
Wherever the humidifier is located, good ventilation is also required. Stagnation of heavy, humid air can lead to rotting of parts of some crops, especially in confined spaces.
Most inappropriate installation areas
Now let's take a look at where you don't need to install a humidifier.
Rooms that do not require constant or interval humidification include the following:
- bathroom;
- toilet;
- combined bathroom;
- the corridor;
- hallway;
- wardrobe.
In the bathroom and toilet, humidity is always at a high level, so for these rooms it is more important to think about ventilation system, the same applies to the combined bathroom.
An exception is a small decorative ultrasonic device with an aromatherapy function, which is turned on only during bathing or spa treatments. It can replace scented candles or bath oil
In the dressing room, excess moisture will only harm, especially items of clothing made from natural fabrics and fur.
And in the corridor or hallway, a humidifier will be superfluous, since they already communicate with adjacent rooms. In addition, in tight spaces, every centimeter of free space is important, so an additional device will do more harm than good.
General rules for choosing a place
It is important to choose the right place of installation so as not to harm either people or surrounding objects. The functionality of the device itself depends on this - if used carelessly, it can suffer, lose its qualities or simply stop working.
A correctly installed humidifier fulfills its task as much as possible: it keeps the optimal humidity level, does not pester tenants with loud noise and serves for the period set manufacturer
There are several requirements that can be applied to site selection for all types of humidifiers:
- The place should be firm and level. The device must not be placed on a sofa or bed, or on an inclined surface - it must be strictly horizontal.
- Do not move the switched on device. First you need to press the off button, remove the plug from the socket, and only then move the humidifier to another place.
- Do not direct the spray towards furniture or other appliances. They will get wet on a regular basis, and as a result, they will lose their attractiveness or fail.
- Try to install even quiet appliances away from beds or sofas - noise increases nervousness and fatigue, and interferes with proper rest.
- Floor models are placed on the floor, the rest - at a height of 0.5 to 1.5 m. More precise coordinates can be found in the manufacturer's instructions.
- It is better to place conditionally dangerous devices in areas inaccessible to small children. Steam humidifiers can get very hot. It is not recommended to inhale the mist of ultrasonic devices at close range.
- Humidifiers become ineffective if placed near heating elements or open flames - radiators, space heaters, fireplaces or stoves - as the moisture dries out instantly.
Do not install the device in places convenient for movement: you can accidentally touch and break the device standing on the road.
If you decide to install a household humidifier in a corner or near furniture, make sure the surrounding surfaces are not exposed to the spray.
And if there are active animals in the house, try to protect the equipment from these energetic and curious pets.
In addition to choosing the optimal place for placing the device, it is equally important operate it correctly and timely service, descaling and mildew.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Short recommendations from Ballu dealers:
Features of the selection and installation of humidifiers for children:
As you can see, the choice of the zone for the installation of the humidifier is just as important as the choice of the appliance itself. When determining the location, the manufacturer's requirements, the characteristics of the device, and the surrounding conditions must be taken into account.
Do not forget that all models require constant maintenance - provide easy access to the device, the ability to quickly adjust and turn off. The result of efforts will be a healthy, comfortable microclimate - a truly homely atmosphere and coziness!
In which room is your humidifier installed? Share with other users your experience in the placement and operation of the appliance, tell us about the problems you encountered when choosing the wrong place to install the humidifier.
