Humidification
Indoor air humidifier
Air humidifiers add moisture to the air to prevent it from becoming too dry, offering numerous benefits for comfort and health.
All Humidification Technologies
Ultrasonic or Mist Humidification:
This is the technology most widely used in France. Water from the tank flows over an ultrasonic plate that vibrates. These vibrations break up the water molecules into fine droplets, which are then released into the air as a cold, visible mist. One of the advantages of this technology is its ability to raise low humidity levels. Inexpensive and energy-efficient, ultrasonic humidifiers are highly appreciated.
Evaporative Humidification:
Plant fiber filters are half-immersed in the reservoir water. By capillary action, the water rises along the filters. A fan blows through the filters, humidifying the air before dispersing it, invisible to the naked eye. This technique is the most natural and requires little energy consumption.
Hot-Steam Humidification:
This technology is based on the same principle as a kettle. A heating plate is placed at the bottom of the unit. As the water boils, steam is released from the humidifier into the ambient air. Heating the water to 100°C eliminates bacteria and germs, resulting in not only humidified air but also healthier, purer air.
Why Humidify?
When temperatures drop, we tend to close windows and turn on the heating to keep warm. These actions, while seemingly harmless, dry out the air in our homes. Maintaining a humidity level of around 50-55% is essential for a healthy indoor environment. Dry air can cause adverse effects such as dry mucous membranes, coughing, and chapped lips or skin.
Many humidifiers are equipped with a hygrometer, allowing you to monitor room humidity in real time. When purchasing, consider a silent humidifier for peaceful sleep, an easy-to-fill tank to avoid spills, and additional features like aromatherapy for relaxation.
Did You Know Humidity Levels Can Take Time to Build?
In mountain homes like chalets, humidity levels can take longer to rise, even with daily refilling of the humidifier's tank. This is because wood structures absorb water first. To maintain an optimal level, it's advisable to run the humidifier continuously, 24 hours a day.
FAQ – Air Humidifiers
1. What is an air humidifier?
An air humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air, preventing it from becoming too dry. It alleviates issues caused by dry air, such as irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
2. When Should You Use an Air Humidifier?
A humidifier is particularly useful in environments where the air is dry, especially in winter or heated rooms. It is also beneficial for people with allergies, asthma, or respiratory problems.
3. What Are the Benefits of an Air Humidifier?
- Maintains optimal air humidity for increased comfort.
- Relieves dryness of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
- Protects furniture and plants from the negative effects of dry air.
- Reduces static electricity in the home.
4. What Types of Humidifiers Are Available?
- Warm Mist Humidifiers: These produce water vapor by heating the water.
- Evaporative Humidifiers: These use a filter or disk to evaporate water into the air.
- Ultrasonic Humidifiers: These use ultrasonic vibrations to disperse a fine mist of water into the air.
5. How Do You Maintain an Air Humidifier?
- Clean the water tank regularly.
- Replace or clean the filters (if the device has them).
- Use distilled water to avoid mineral buildup.
6. What Is the Energy Consumption of an Air Humidifier?
Energy consumption depends on the type and capacity of the humidifier. Warm mist humidifiers generally use more energy than evaporative or ultrasonic models.
7. Can a Humidifier Be Used in a Child's Room?
Yes, a humidifier can be very beneficial in a child's room, especially during winter. It helps maintain healthy humidity levels, which are important for the comfort and well-being of children, particularly those with congestion or dry skin.
For more information on air humidifiers, check out our guide on how to choose a humidifier: How to choose a humidifier.
Discover below our selection of air humidifiers at the best price.
Why Use an Air Humidifier?
When temperatures drop, we tend to close the windows and turn on the heating to stay warm. These seemingly harmless actions dry out the air inside. This is why it’s important to choose a humidifier based on its usage and your needs. It is recommended to maintain a humidity level around 50-55%. Low humidity can have harmful effects on health: dry mucous membranes, coughing, chapped lips and hands, etc.
Most humidifiers on the market come with a hygrometer, allowing you to know the humidity level of your rooms in real-time. Besides the technical aspect of the device, it’s essential to consider the various features when making a purchase. A quiet humidifier will allow you to enjoy peaceful nights, while the aromatherapy function can help you relax… Choose a humidifier with an easy-to-fill tank to avoid inconveniences such as leaks when transporting it.
Humidity Recovery Time.
Humidity levels can take time to rise, despite daily refilling of the water tank. This is often the case in homes located in mountainous areas like chalets. The structure of these homes is usually made of wood, a material that will absorb water first. We recommend running the humidifier 24/7 in these cases.
Goal:
47 to 53%
relative humidity
at home or in the office
The Benefits of a Humidifier
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Improves Indoor Air Quality: A humidifier helps combat dry air, which can cause many health problems like respiratory tract irritation, allergies, or dry skin.
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Relieves Symptoms of Dry Air: Coughing, sore throat, stuffy nose... Humidifying the air can provide real relief.
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Protects the Mucous Membranes: Humid air preserves nasal and eye mucous membranes, strengthening the immune system.
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Creates a More Comfortable Environment: Optimal humidity levels improve sleep quality and reduce feelings of fatigue.
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Protects Wooden Objects: Humidity helps preserve wooden furniture and musical instruments.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT HUMIDIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES?
ULTRASONIC COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER
Water flows onto a vibrating metal plate, known as an ultrasonic plate. These vibrations break water molecules into tiny droplets, creating a fine cold mist. This mist is then dispersed into the room using a small fan.
- Humidity rises quickly
- High performance
- Easy to use
- Low energy consumption
- May disperse limescale
HYBRID ULTRASONIC HUMIDIFIER
This humidifier works like a cool mist humidifier but features a heating plate. Heating the water slightly, typically up to 40°C, allows for better diffusion of water into the air.
- Effective for rooms with very low initial humidity
- Works well in large rooms
- Improved breathing comfort
- May disperse limescale
EVAPORATION HUMIDIFIER / EVAPORATOR
This natural technique uses a plant fiber absorbent filter directly placed in the device’s tank. This filter absorbs water through capillarity, and a fan blows air through it. As a result, the dry air in the room is transformed into humid air, invisible to the naked eye.
- Simple to use
- Healthy and filtering diffusion
- Low energy consumption
- Filter needs to be replaced every 3 to 6 months
- Hard to exceed 50% humidity
HOT STEAM HUMIDIFIER
This type of device works like a kettle. Using a heating plate, water is boiled and released from the humidifier as steam. This technology is ideal if there are concerns about the quality of the water in the tank. Boiling water at 100°C eliminates 100% of bacteria and germs in the water, releasing healthy steam.
- Easy to use
- High performance
- Hygienic
- Low energy consumption
- Dangerous for young children
- Energy-intensive
When to Use a Humidifier?
Especially during the cold season: Heating significantly dries out indoor air.
In dry climate regions: Regions with naturally low humidity levels often require extra humidification.
In the presence of infants and young children: Their skin and respiratory tracts are particularly sensitive to dry air.
For people with allergies or asthma: Humidity helps reduce irritations and inflammation.
Choosing Criteria
Room size: The humidifier’s capacity should be adapted to the room size. Also consider the environment, such as the type of heating, which affects air dryness. A room with a lot of wood will require more attention, as wood will absorb the water released by the humidifier first.
Noise level: Choose quiet models for bedrooms or relaxation spaces. Energy consumption: Compare the consumption of different models. Expect at least 10W for an evaporator, 20W for an air washer, 30W for a standard ultrasonic, 100W for a hybrid (with heating), and 300W for a hot steam humidifier.
Additional features: Hygrostat (automatic humidity adjustment), timer, essential oil diffusion, etc.
