The main differences between a humidifier and a purifier

We all know from childhood that dirty, saturated with harmful components air is a source of rather dangerous diseases. Scientists have long developed effective devices for cleaning and humidifying the air in various industries, but many readers are still not aware of the difference between such a device as an air humidifier and a rather similar air purifier.

These miniature products can dramatically change the presence of negative impurities in the air of your apartment and remove them. To find out their individual differences, which are not so many, you will need to carefully read this article.

Humidifier and air purifier - what's the difference

Already from the name of these devices it is clear why they are used in everyday life. There are three main characteristics by which specialists divide them into different devices:

1. The main difference lies in the functionality of each device: one cleans the air of impurities, the other just moisturizes it to the optimum value.
2. The humidifier is quite relevant in winter, when red-hot batteries dry the air of the children's room, which creates an uncomfortable and dangerous atmosphere for the baby's health.
3. Air mass cleaners are used in production where smoke is present, a large concentration of dust. Humidifiers, on the contrary, are used only in residential premises.

For example, in a kitchen with a gas stove, it is necessary to install a strong exhaust hood to remove combustion products and smells from cooking, but besides this, you need to take care of the influx of fresh air. A humidifier is more suitable for a children's room, so that the percentage of moisture in the air is always optimal.

Product Features

Each of the listed devices has individual nuances, which we will discuss in detail.

Cleaner

Its main task is to remove from the polluted air all harmful to the health of the surrounding components. The devices are identical in design, only the filters installed inside are different. If suspended dust is constantly accumulating in the room, then an electrostatic filter must be used, and when the problem is only due to unpleasant odors, carbon filters are used.

Today, the market sells devices made using the highest technology, capable of solving the arising problems with smells or pollution inside production rooms - these are the latest products with photocatalytic filter elements that not only remove pollution present in the air, but also break them down into harmless molecules. Carbon filters only trap extraneous components inside their housing.

Humidifier

The main objective of these products is to maintain optimum humidity in the room entrusted to them. Due to the dry air, living in the apartment appears fatigue, dry skin, and also weakens the hair, on interior items it also has a negative effect.

Specialists subdivide these products into the following main options:

• cold filtration - air is taken from the room, passes through the device, where it is filtered and saturated with moisture;
• based on hot steam, which they periodically throw out;
• ultrasonic hydration.

The third option has peculiar differences from the first two: the liquid enters a special plate with enhanced vibration, as a result, it splits into many drops, forming a suspension through which the sucked air seeps in, saturated with these vapors.

Advantages and disadvantages

Each type of similar device has its own advantages and disadvantages, so consider them in turn.

Traditional moisturizer

Pros:

1. It is almost impossible to oversaturate the air with moisture, because with an increase in the percentage of water it begins to evaporate more slowly.
2. It works pretty quietly.
3. Low power consumption - from 15 watts.
4. Complete safety for others.

Minuses:

1. It is necessary to periodically change the filters.
2. Large dimensions compared to other types.

Steam

Pros:

1. Pretty quickly saturates the air with moisture.
2. The kit includes a nozzle for inhalation, that is, it is possible to be treated.
3. Creates increased humidity if necessary.
4. Small dimensions.

Minuses:

1. It is dangerous for children: steam has a high temperature.
2. It makes gurgling sounds at work - a loud noise.
3. High power consumption.
4. Scale forms.

Ultrasonic

Pros:

1. Quickly and fairly effectively moisturizes the room, while maintaining the achieved level in the future.
2. The small sizes.
3. Silent work.
4. High security.

Minuses:

A white coating may form on the furniture due to the high hardness of the water.
To eliminate the negative consequences, purchase a filter to soften the water, but this is an extra cost, which is also considered a minus for the product.

Now you know all the nuances of air humidifiers - this will help to make the right choice when buying a device for an apartment.

Cleaners

Air purification is carried out by different devices, but the photocatalytic filter copes with this problem best: it safely purifies the air even in hospitals where other types are prohibited. The reason is that during prolonged use this product remains clean from various bacteria and dirt, and the analogs turn into a nursery of unsanitary conditions, since they only delay pollution inside the case.

Positive qualities include:

1. Quality cleaning.
2. Disposal of trapped particles and microbes by splitting them.
3. The product cleans itself during operation.
4. Quite low consumption of electric energy.
5. High security.
6. Simple service.

The filter itself does not require replacement, but the ultraviolet lamp is designed for a service life of 12 months to 3 years. Cleaning is 500 times more effective than using a charcoal filter, in addition, the device is able to catch 99% of known bacteria, so it cannot be used in children's rooms because of the almost complete sterility of the air.

The minuses include its inability to break down inorganic components, for example, dust during repairs. Based on the above material, you can decide which device to choose for installation in your apartment.

Which is better - humidifier or cleaner

These two household appliances are almost equally popular with the consumer, because the cleaner creates a feeling of freshness and prevents the development of various diseases, and the humidifier increases comfort, creating a certain microclimate. Manufacturers have already launched three-in-one products: a cleaner, a humidifier and an ionizer, but they are still very expensive.

Cheap devices are available for sale, where a humidifier and an ionizer are combined - this know-how does an excellent job of setting tasks to bring air humidity to the values ​​recommended by doctors. Only the humidity level must be monitored independently, which is not difficult with a hygrometer. As for the air purifier, such a device is only necessary for those who live near busy roads or in an industrial area.

The cleanliness of the air in the apartment depends on the capabilities of the residents and their budget - which device you have enough money for, buy one, many do not think about it at all, because they live far from industrial areas near plantings or natural forests. Not a single perfect product can be compared with nature in the degree of purification of air masses, especially coniferous forests are distinguished by this, therefore it is so easy to breathe fully in them.

Humidifier plus cleaner are versatile devices

Comparing them in terms of efficiency is an empty lesson, because each of the products performs completely different functions, which were described in detail above. The use of climatic complexes in two in one is considered optimal: they eliminate microscopic components from the room and provide the humidity necessary for comfort.

Manufacturers offer a wide range of combination products that use effective methods of cleaning and moisturizing. Before purchasing, you need to pay special attention to very important points:

1. The power of the product should correspond to the volume of the room.
2. Type of filter element. The ionizer acts on the dust so that it settles on the floor and furniture, and the photocatalytic filter completely sterilizes the air. Charcoal filter copes with the elimination of odors.
3. Power - buy appliances with low electrical energy consumption so that utility bills do not increase.
4. It is strictly forbidden to use tap water in an ultrasonic humidifier. It must first be cleaned and softened.

Using a humidifier, you need to purchase a hygrometer to check the actual humidity.

findings

Each user independently decides which device corresponds to the creation of the necessary cleanliness and humidity in the apartment, it is necessary to take into account the fact that all these devices are stationary, therefore, for each room you need to purchase a separate product.