Agree, if you don't know how to use a humidifier correctly, it can quickly break. To avoid damage to the device, we advise you to first read its instructions, and then read our article.
It provides basic recommendations for using the humidifier in an ordinary apartment or office.
The content of the article:
- Why do you need humidifiers?
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General rules for the operation of humidifiers
- Features of activating the humidifier
- Features of using different types of humidifiers
- Safety precautions when working with a humidifier
- What kind of water can I use in a humidifier?
- How do I add oil to a humidifier?
- How do I clean my humidifier?
- Influence of open vents on the operation of the humidifier
- Typical problems when using a humidifier
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Why do you need humidifiers?
The humidifier is a unique device. It is necessary to create an optimal indoor climate.
Also, the important functions of this device include:
- maintaining the desired level of humidity in the room;
- elimination of static electricity charges (they can occur in dry air);
- air purification from dust and micro-particles of dirt, etc.
Air humidifiers prevent the development of various diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. They provide beneficial effect on the skin, hair and nails, preventing the aging process. Also, these devices can be used to prevent nosebleeds in adults and children.
General rules for the operation of humidifiers
Before connecting the humidifier to the network, you need to check the tightness of its housing and cord. If the casing is cracked and the wire is damaged, do not connect the product to the outlet. If the device is out of order, you need to contact the service center.
It (like any other equipment) comes with a guarantee. However, the warranty will be void if the humidifier is repaired by yourself.
Features of activating the humidifier
To turn on humidifier, it must first be connected to the mains by inserting the plug into the socket. Then (depending on the type of device), press the on / off button on the unit body or activate the device using the remote control.
When the humidifier is turned on, the green indicator on the humidifier is lit, and when it is turned off, the red icon lights up.
All additional functions of the humidifier are shown on the display after switching on. To activate them, press the desired button on the LCD screen.
Features of using different types of humidifiers
Place the humidifier on a dry and level surface. The device must be in a stable position, otherwise it may tip over during operation. Tilting the device may interfere with normal operation.
It is not necessary to install the humidifier at a slight angle, even if it is well fixed
Before turning on a conventional humidifier, place a filter in the water pan, attach the bottom of the unit and secure the housing.
Then fill the tank with distilled water and close the lid. After that, put the container on the lower part, turn on the device and select the most suitable mode using the switch on the product body.
If you need to turn on the steam humidifier, then it must first be filled with water, observing the liquid level indicator in the device. Then you need to turn on the device and select the operating mode.
During operation, the green indicator on the device will light up. When all the water has evaporated from the tank, the indicator will turn red, and the unit itself will automatically shut down.
Using ultrasonic humidifier a day before turning it on, you need to place the demineralization cartridge in a container with clean water. The next day, fill the tank with water, close it with a lid and insert it into the body. After that, you should put the part with the sprayer and turn on the unit to the network.
Ultrasonic humidifiers are among the most modern and functional technology, and therefore are often used in offices and other commercial premises.
If everything is done correctly, the green indicator on the device will light up. Then you need to select the appropriate mode and adjust the desired humidity. When this parameter is reached, the humidifier will shut off by itself.
Safety precautions when working with a humidifier
Before switching on the humidifier, read its operating instructions. It provides general guidelines for using the device.
At the same time, while using any type of humidifier, it is prohibited to:
- add liquid to the reservoir of the switched on device;
- use dirty water;
- rearrange a device plugged into an outlet;
- add flavorings directly to the water (there is a special compartment for this);
- pour water into the humidifier through the water vapor outlet;
- block this hole, etc.
The operating time of the device depends on its design features. Steam humidifiers are able to achieve the desired level of moisture in just a couple of hours. But traditional models usually work more slowly and sometimes saturate the air with moisture for 10-12 hours.
For information on how long and in what mode the humidifier must be operated to achieve the optimum indoor humidity level, refer to the instructions.
Water is heavier than air, and humidified air flows automatically downward, and therefore the device is better set up on a low rise from the floor (for example, on a stool, coffee table, wall shelf or bedside table). Devices with large tanks (8-9 liters) can be placed on a cabinet or high shelves.
When choosing the best place to install the air humidifier in a living room or office, you need to unplug it
The small humidifier should be at least 50 cm from the floor. If you put the device on the floor, then a small puddle will soon appear around it.
Due to the nature of its operation, this device must not be placed next to:
- electrical appliances;
- walls (otherwise, ugly stains may appear on the wallpaper);
- upholstered furniture;
- books and clothes;
- central heating batteries (after all, they, on the contrary, dry the air and can negate the benefits of using a humidifier).
The distance from these objects to the humidifier should be about 30 cm so that moisture does not settle on them. Finely dispersed water particles (after all, steam is one of the aggregate states of water), falling on technical devices, can disrupt the operation of any equipment.
Around a household humidifier with any operating principle there must be enough free space for normal air circulation
If there is an aquarium in the room, then you should not put a humidifier next to it. This is simply impractical, because water also evaporates from the aquarium, humidifying the air. Those. a double humidification effect is created, which can also negatively affect the indoor microclimate. Due to too high humidity in the apartment, lung diseases are aggravated, and mold appears on the walls.
If there are children or pets in the house, the device should be placed out of their reach. In this case, even a small humidifier will be appropriate to install on a cabinet or a high shelf.
Sometimes a plastic grill or fence is designed for the humidifier so that small children, dogs and cats cannot reach it.
If there are no small children and pets in the apartment, then the humidifier can be placed in the middle of the room at some distance from the furniture. But the device should not interfere with free movement.
It is also important to remember that the humidifier is powered by the mains, so it should be installed near a power outlet. If possible, you should refuse to use surge protectors, extension cords and adapters, since these are additional connections and unnecessary contacts.
What kind of water can I use in a humidifier?
The quality of the water poured into the humidifier determines not only the duration of the device's operation, but also the nature of the device's effect on the human body. If you use ordinary tap water in the unit, the salts and chlorides dissolved in it will enter the humidified air, and then will end up in the respiratory tract of all people in the room.
Children especially suffer from bad water in the humidifier, because they breathe with greater speed and intensity than adults, and therefore many harmful substances will get into their lungs and bronchi
Also, the use of dirty tap water has a detrimental effect on the functioning of the device parts. Scale forms on them, and the elements quickly deteriorate.
To prevent this from happening, you need to use only clean water (bottled, distilled, demineralized, spring or artesian).
In addition, boiled and filtered water can be poured into the device, but this is often not recommended.
Some chemical compounds (including salts) in tap water are not filtered and do not precipitate after boiling, and therefore in the future can have a detrimental effect on the health of households, and on the work of the humidifier.
Standing with tap water will also have little effect. Usually, the water is settled for 7-8 hours, considering that in the first 2 hours chlorine and hydrogen sulfide compounds evaporate from the liquid, and then particles of heavy metals are removed from it. But in fact, it will still not be purified.
It is best to adhere to the rule: pour only that water into the humidifier tank that you can give to the child or drink it yourself
Today, many people are afraid to drink even filtered and boiled tap water, so why pour it into humidifiers? It is more expedient to spend money on normal clean water now than to look for money for medicines later.
Pure artesian water is sold even in vending machines on the streets, and it is inexpensive. Clean humid air will automatically increase lung immunity, and saving "on matches" (on elemental water!) Will not lead to anything good.
If the humidifier does not use all the water from the tank in a day, it still needs to be changed and the tank cleaned. The fact is that a warm and important environment is perfect for bacteria to multiply.
After turning off the device, empty out all the water and flush the reservoir if the device will not be used for the next few hours.
The humidifier must not stand with water. When servicing the humidifier and draining the water, it must be disconnected from the mains. Failure to do so may result in electric shock.
How do I add oil to a humidifier?
Not all humidifiers can use fragrance oils. Never pour oil directly into the sprayer reservoir. The device must support the aromatherapy function and have a special compartment in which add essential oils and pour in specific formulations.
Such devices include:
- steam humidifiers;
- ultrasound models;
- devices with a washing function.
They have a special cassette or container in their design. It is there that the oil is poured, which, during the operation of the humidifier, is sprayed in parallel with the water. All aromatic oils poured into the spray unit must be of high quality and original.
After each procedure, you need to thoroughly rinse the device (including cassettes for aroma oils) so that different oil liquids do not mix with each other.
The volume of essential oil used depends on the area of the room. Experts recommend using no more than 5 drops for every 15 sq. M. area. If these proportions are violated, all the benefits of aromatherapy disappear, headaches, allergic reactions and bouts of nausea may occur.
When it comes to treatment time, an essential oil humidifier should not work like a regular car wash. When using for the first time, it is better to turn off the device after half an hour or an hour of aromatherapy and look at your condition.
In case of dizziness or increased blood pressure, the duration of the session should be reduced.
How do I clean my humidifier?
Any humidifier needs periodic cleaning. To clean the device from scale, you need to get out the water container and disconnect all parts from the device that are possible. If there is residual water in the tank, it must be discarded and the tank thoroughly rinsed under the tap.
Before pouring detergent into the humidifier tank, wipe the body of the device with a soft cloth with a solution of ordinary table vinegar.
The humidifier membrane is cleaned with a special brush, which is sold with the device. If this brush is lost, it can be purchased separately from household supply stores.
Alternatively, a small sponge without metallic threads or fleece cloth is sometimes used. To maintain the tightness of the sealing material, dry the device thoroughly between uses by removing the plug.
Only use soft cloths to clean the water tank. Hard brushes can scratch the inside of the tank. If too much scale has accumulated in the container, you need to take a toothbrush with soft bristles and ordinary table vinegar 9-15%.
To clean your humidifier with vinegar, you need to:
- Open a balcony or window, as acetic acid fumes are harmful to health.
- Dissolve half a glass of vinegar (100 ml) in 2.5 liters of clean water at room temperature.
- Pour the resulting mixture into the tank of the device.
- Plug the humidifier into an outlet and run it in fast mode for an hour (the nose of the device should be turned towards the window, it is better to leave the room for this time by closing the door tightly).
- Switch off the humidifier, disassemble and thoroughly rinse every part with water.
In addition to vinegar, citric acid, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach with chlorine can be used to clean the device. Citric acid helps to remove plaque safely.
The baking soda kills the putrefaction and mildew inside the device that can form due to high humidity. Hydrogen peroxide disinfects the humidifier reservoir. Bleaching agents destroy the pathogenic microflora in the tank and prevent it from multiplying.
In addition to folk remedies for cleaning the humidifier, you can use commercial descaling preparations: Top House, Luxus Professional Technics, Unicum, BONECO A7417 Calc Off, etc.
The filters in the humidifier should be changed every few months. The exact replacement time depends on the type of device and the quality of the water used in the device.
Also, these filters need to be periodically rinsed under running water. It is impossible to use aggressive chemicals to clean them: its remains cannot be completely washed off with water.
Influence of open vents on the operation of the humidifier
Any humidifier is designed to work in a room of a certain area. If the passport of the device says that it is suitable for humidifying a room of 20 sq.m., then for a hall of 40 sq.m. the unit will be useless. At the same time, the device can provide a normal microclimate only if all doors and windows in the room are closed.
If a window, door or window is open in the room, the efficiency of the humidifier will drop. This will happen for two reasons. Firstly, because of the open doors and windows, the area of the room will increase. Secondly, dry air will enter the room from the street or from other rooms and reduce humidity.
The stronger the influx of dry cold air from the street, the faster the humidity indicator will decrease in the living room.
Moreover, the humidity of the air directly depends on its temperature. Cold air contains less moisture than warm air. For example, at +20, the air contains 17.3 g / m3 water vapor, and at 0 degrees the maximum content is already 4.84 g / m3.
If you want to ventilate the room, then it is more rational to do this before turning on the device. But you shouldn't leave the humidifier on overnight with the window closed. Sleeping in a stuffy room even with normal humidity is unpleasant.
In the cold season, due to working batteries or heaters, the microclimate in the room will resemble the tropics: it will become hot and humid
A humidifier should be used not only in winter but also in summer. In an apartment, the air can become too dry due to actively working air conditioners and climatic (weather) factors. For humidification in summer, it is best to use models with cold steam and ultrasonic devices.
Typical problems when using a humidifier
Sometimes, when using air humidifiers, a number of problems arise. At the same time, many device malfunctions can be dealt with independently.
If the humidifier does not turn on, you need to check the presence of water in the tank and make sure that the device is actually connected to the mains. Often, users simply forget to plug in the air humidifier and, as a result, cannot understand for a long time why it does not work.
If fine water dust does not come out of the steam outlet, then the device must be thoroughly washed. These holes are often clogged with detergent residues. In addition to additional cleaning, you can set a higher moisture percentage using the regulator.
Also, the absence of steam sometimes indicates that the liquid reservoir is overfilled and the supply channel is flooded. In this case, you need to drain some of the water and turn on the device again.
If this does not help, it is necessary to check the condition of the membrane and the mechanism that sets it in motion. If they are damaged, you will have to contact a service center.
If spraying is too weak, accompanied by noise, you need to check the amount of water in the container. This can happen if there is no longer any liquid in the tank, but the device has not turned off automatically.
On ultrasonic models, this may indicate a dirty ultrasonic transducer. In this case, the transducer must be removed, cleaned, dried and placed back into the humidifier.
If a whitish coating appears on the walls of the humidifier and objects in the room, you need to change the filter and start using purified distilled water
If an unpleasant odor occurs from a working humidifier, you need to check the water and the membrane. A similar smell may indicate that the water in the tank has stagnated and bloomed. Then it is necessary to drain the liquid and flush the reservoir. If the membrane itself is dirty, rinse the emitter thoroughly with clean water and dry it well.
If the display on the device does not work (does not light up), then it is better to contact a specialist of the service center. Such malfunctions indicate breakdowns of the electronic component of the device.
He will acquaint with the manual for the manufacture of the simplest device for air humidification next article, which we advise everyone interested in improving the microclimate of the surrounding space to read.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Correct use of a humidifier will increase its effectiveness. When installing the device, you should read the instructions and find the most suitable place for the device in the room.
Also, before using the humidifier, you should watch the video instruction to avoid common mistakes:
The humidifier can be used both in the apartment and in the office. You can even let children near the device, just tell them in advance the basic rules for operating the device.
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