Air washing: how to choose the best model

In order for us to breathe easily and freely, the air in houses, offices and apartments should be clean and moderately moist, free of dust, bacteria, suffocating odors and allergens hazardous to health. Alas, in reality this is not so: cat hair and dust often fly around in apartments, no, no, and someone sneezes, generously sharing their viruses. And in winter, the included heating devices make the air so dry that it constantly persists in the throat. Air cleaning will help to get rid of these troubles - we’ll tell you how to choose such a useful household appliance.

What is air washing, its use and how it differs from humidifiers

Air washing is a multifunctional device that makes the air cleaner and also moisturizes it. Thanks to the washing, the microclimate is significantly improved, which makes our life healthier and more positive. Air washers clean the air quite effectively from harmful dust mites, pollen from flowers, as well as other allergenic components, cats and dogs' wool, kitchen soot and cigarette smoke.

How is a sink different from a humidifier?

Air washers are devices using “cold evaporation”. The presence of an air purification unit makes them more “advanced” and functional than humidifiers, which only saturate the air masses in the room with moisture.

So look according to your needs. A favorable microclimate is needed - then the sink will be just right. And if you breed flowers in large numbers, then think about an alternative or two different units.

Who should consider buying an air wash

A device that cleans the air and brings its humidity to normal is often just an indispensable and valuable assistant. Before we start choosing this device, you need to understand in which cases you need it and what problems it will help to solve.

1. For the ecology of the home.

Each person who is attentive to health (their own and those close to them) tries to create favorable climatic conditions at home. And this is air filled with purity and freshness. Heating appliances and electric heaters rob him of useful properties, and the urban environment does not shine with a healthy environment.Purchasing a sink is a way to fix the problem.

2. We protect fragile children's health.

If the nursery is too dry, the baby can become moody, get tired quickly, sleep badly and get sick more often. It becomes difficult for him to breathe, often immunity can even fall. By putting a small neat sink in the corner of the room, you can normalize the microclimate. Then the dream will improve, the disease will probably become much less likely to “stick” to the child, who will have fun and stop acting up.

3. We increase the efficiency of work in the office.

Here, the result of dirty and dry air can be a decrease in the efficiency of employees. After all, they will get tired much faster, more often making mistakes and working much more slowly. So the presence of a sink in the room is a direct benefit for the management and a benefit for absolutely everyone.

4. We protect expensive furniture and parquet.

If you dearly love the grandmother’s antique chest of drawers, admire the patterned parquet floors, and put a piano in the room for the delight of the soul, then you also can’t do without washing. It will protect all these valuables from drying out and cracks (inevitable when air is dry). This device is also invaluable in the presence of a large library - books also do not welcome too dry air.

5. We relax and relax.

When deciding which air wash is better to choose for a good rest, you should prefer a model with an additional option - flavor. Such a device will help you to relax after a hard day's work, spreading a pleasant fragrance throughout the room, calming the nerves, toning and relaxing. And adding coniferous aromatic oils, you can get rid of germs at the same time.

What do the standards say about this?

GOST did not fail to give a definition of a favorable microclimate in various rooms: this parameter consists mainly of humidity, speed and temperature of air masses. There are indicators that are considered optimal in which the immune system is in a calm state, not laboring to exhaustion, which is very important for health.

Optimum indicators are as follows:

• temperature limits - from 20 to 22 ⁰FROM;
• relative humidity limits - from 30 to 60% (optimum - 45%);
• compulsory ventilation, providing an influx of fresh air.

How does the air wash, its design

Inside the device there is a fan of low power, as well as plate-type drums, which are wetted with water from a special tank.

Air washing device: 1. Dirty air; 2. The fan; 3. Air ionization; 4. Clean air; 5. The rotating drum; 6. A tray with water.

Dirty particles get wet from water droplets and fall down, and then drown in a water tank. At the same time, air molecules are saturated with moisture. The air masses, already clean and moist, leave the device and move into the room.

The principle of operation of an air cleaner using the example of a Boneco air cleaner.

The amount of air allowed depends on the power of the electric fan. As a rule, in one hour the air masses are twice or thrice passed through the filter. The device works quietly, without consuming a lot of electricity and without creating condensation or splashing. So that the floor and furniture remain dry, they do not settle salt from the water.

We select the device in accordance with the area of ​​the room

The passport of each device always indicates what area it is able to process. So before buying, you should think carefully about where the brand new sink will stand. Preferred by many option - accommodation in the bedroom. After all, in this room we spend most of our lives. In addition, our mood and well-being during the day and in the morning depends quite strongly on the usefulness of the night's rest.

For several rooms, even the most powerful device is not enough. If you install a sink in the hallway, for example, then it will not be able to process at the same time the living room and bedroom located next to it.The walls, as you know, do not allow air to pass through, and the doorways are too small for efficient air exchange. So each device should be designed for the size of a particular room.

And the second mistake made by inexperienced users: the use of the device as a portable moisturizer. Perhaps, someone will find this option the most convenient and profitable. However, do not rush - the principle of operation of the device (natural water evaporation) limits this possibility. After all, evaporation in a natural way is not a very fast process.

Moving the wash from one room to another, you will upset the moisture balance in the first room, and in the second one it will not have time to get better during this period. So we get: that in the first room it will already be too dry, and in the second - still not wet enough. That is, everywhere, instead of the expected comfort, we will feel discomfort.

So, knowing the area of ​​our room, we select a specific washing model for it. In this case, do not make a large margin of power. It is irrational and costly to consume electricity. But a small device, placed in a huge room, is also a bad option. He will not be able to create the necessary microclimate, only partially cleaning and moisturizing the air masses.

Example: devices with a power of 25 - 35 watts are designed for rooms of no more than 50 square meters. If it is necessary to process the area more solidly, then it is worth paying attention to models of higher power, since a device with these indicators will not cope with the task.

Which device is the quietest

There is only one moving part making noise in the device - this is a fan. Since it is rather weak, it does not emit strong sounds during operation. Most air washes are so quiet that even in the children's bedroom the baby’s sleep will not be disturbed.

The passport of each device indicates specific data on the noise level. Despite the general small limits, these characteristics are different for all sinks. Note that they also depend on the technology by which the device operates.

These two technologies:

Hydrofiltration - the formation of a kind of curtain of water, consisting of several tiers. This occurs due to the rotation of a special cone placed in a tank with water and lifting small droplets of water upward. Devices with this technology are noisier. When purchasing a device equipped with this cleaning technology, be prepared for a tangible noise level. Of course, it will not be unnecessary, but it will be quite difficult for especially sensitive people to fall asleep while this device is working.

Cold "water bath" - discs placed in a water tank spin here. Due to this, a thin water film is created, evaporating by blowing with a fan. This principle of operation are devices from the brands Electrolux, Ballu, Boneco. They are quieter than those described above and their fan level is more influenced by the fan rather than the cleaning system.

Air cleaning performance

Since water evaporates during the operation of the device, washing performance is important to us. It shows how much water, in grams, passes from the sink to the air in the room in one hour. The volume of the water tank is also important - it should not be too small, otherwise you will have to add water too often.

Focus on the fact that with an air washing performance of 300 - 500 grams per hour, the volume of the water tank should be from 5 to 7 liters.

How to understand whether an air ionizer is needed in an air wash

To ensure that the devices work for a long time without requiring repair, manufacturers simplify the design of sinks to the maximum. This allows the Venta brand, for example, to give a ten-year guarantee on its sinks (and on a number of models - even a twenty-year one). The more complex the unit, the lower the warranty on it.

For example, electronic control guarantees only five to seven years of uptime. Additional options - catalysis or an ionizer, also complicate the design and do not contribute to an increase in warranty.Therefore, there are not too many models of such sinks.

However, an ionizer is a very useful thing, especially in modern conditions. After all, the negative ions created by the device, which we are completely deprived of in our enclosed spaces of apartments, have a good effect on the immune system, and also improve memory and mindfulness. Therefore, choosing an air wash, decide what is more important for you: buy a model with this option, but less reliable, or purchase a separate ionizer and a normal sink without unnecessary "bells and whistles", but more reliable.

Some air washers are pre-ionized. In this case, it serves, first of all, for more intensive removal of dust than saturation of air with negatively charged ions. The thing is that the saturation of air with ions in such sinks occurs before it comes in contact with water. After the air passes through water, most of the ions will be destroyed and the process of air ionization will not be so effective.

Aromatization and air disinfection functions

Protection against bacteria and viruses

It would seem very tempting for the consumer. However, the beautiful stories of manufacturers have not yet been confirmed by a sufficient amount of data. And how things are in reality is unknown. So we advise you not to “get involved” in advertising tricks and not to overpay for an expensive additional option, the usefulness of which is still in question.

Flavoring

There are models of sinks in which there is a special separate compartment in the water tank. It is small and designed for inserting a ball of cotton wool soaked in aromatic oil. This function makes it possible to enjoy not only clean and moisturized, but also pleasantly smelling air. This function will definitely not be superfluous.

Modes of operation, their number and control methods

The simplest models of sinks are equipped with just one operating mode. When they are turned on, maximum power is consumed. More expensive devices are able to work in several modes. For example, such: fast and intensive, slow and economical, fully automated. The presence of modes gives more opportunities to the user, but their absence is not a big drawback.

You can control the device in one of two ways: mechanical or electronic. Sinks of the first type are simpler, cheaper and more reliable - the simpler the design, the less reason for damage.

But electronic components can significantly more. On the display they can see how the process of cleaning and moisturizing occurs, to control the main parameters. And also they allow you to set different modes including automated, change the power level.

The optimal choice of sink depending on the problems that must be solved with its help

Determining how to choose an air sink for an apartment or a house, you need not only to measure its power and the area of ​​the rooms. It is necessary to clearly prioritize. In particular, decide which problem is more worrying: too dry or too dirty air, smells, allergens.

Indeed, these devices, although they do two tasks at once (cleaning and moisturizing), but they do it in different ways. There are, for example, those that better saturate the air with moisture, but cannot cope with odors.And others with the help of ions make the air absolutely clean and disinfected, but moisturize it more weakly. Therefore, we single out the main problem for ourselves.

Problem One - Dry Air

If in the first place for you - to achieve optimal humidity in the room. In this case, it will be nice to look at the devices of the brands Electrolux, Venta, Air-O-Swiss, Boneco. You will get a sink with good performance, evaporating from 200 to 500 milliliters of water per hour, equipped with a sufficiently powerful fan.

The moisturizing discs included in the design allow you to create a large area for evaporation. The characteristics of such devices are close to the characteristics of ultrasonic humidifiers and are rightfully considered the most effective.

The second problem is dustiness, plenty of wool, sensitivity to pollen

Devices equipped with the pre-ionization option do an excellent job of such tasks. After all, they purify the air at the same level as the best HEPA filters (which miss only 0.03 percent of microscopic particles) built into high-quality air purifiers.

Pre-ionization saturates the contaminated air entering the sink with ions. Thanks to this, dirty particles, even of a very tiny size, perfectly adhere to moistened spinning disks, being washed away from there into the water. If you are interested in similar models, pay attention to devices of the Air-O-Swiss brand.

The third problem - unpleasant odors (“chemistry”, organics, cigarette smoke) worry

If the smells that bother you are not persistent, then almost any washing will help. After all, water, purifying the air, at the same time absorbs odors in a natural way. By the way, our grandfathers and great-grandfathers knew about this: they put a bucket full of water in the room if it smelled bad.

However, in the presence of persistent unpleasant "aromas" will have to arm themselves with a more effective device. The best option in this case is a sink equipped with a photocatalysis function. Its design includes an ultraviolet lamp and a special photocatalytic filter. In the interaction of ultraviolet radiation with a catalyst, oxidizing agents appear that can effectively destroy odor molecules.

Take care of the appliance carefully and correctly.

Choose a place for washing

A lot depends on where the device will be placed. In particular, the quality of cleaning with moisturizing, as well as the effectiveness of these processes. In addition, you need to put the sink in such a way that it cannot be accidentally dropped or turned over during your daily routine.

Here are the basic rules that should be followed when choosing the right place for washing:

• We retreat at least 50 centimeters from the furniture and accessories in the room.
• We leave the upper part of the device free without installing the device under a table or in a tight niche.
• We install the unit on a horizontal plane - clean, dry, even. It is best, of course, on the floor, since it is in the meter above the floor that it is most dirty (dust particles settle down).
• In winter, when heaters are used that strongly dry the air, it is recommended to install air washers near them. So it will be possible to quickly eliminate the overdried air.
• You should not place the device where pets or people are constantly (for example, next to your favorite armchair or sofa).

Regular service

How to choose an air wash, we decided. Now we have to learn how to properly care for her. By cleaning the air, it itself becomes contaminated, so it must be cleaned periodically. Next, we’ll show you how to do this with different details.

Case and fan.

The case must be wiped with a wet cloth, and then use a dry cloth or cloth. Contaminated fan blades can be cleaned perfectly with a damp cloth.

Pallet and water tank

The water tank is my ordinary clean water, and to remove deposits on the pallet you will need a special descaling agent. You can buy it at the hardware store.We pour water into the pan, add funds and wait for some time. Then we turn the bag with the disks several times, pour water from the pan and rinse the disks well, removing their entire bag.

In the presence of strong deposits formed on the pallet, the same anti-scale agent will help. It should be slightly diluted with water and poured into a pan. After waiting a bit, wipe off the deposits with a brush.

Humidification discs

Note that a weak calcareous coating contributes to a more effective hydration. If you want to clean the surface of the discs, we again take the descaler, you can also use vinegar. After applying the product, rinse the discs well.

Remember: the disk surface is plastic, so in no case do we use abrasives or chemically active solvents on it.

General recommendations.

How often a wash will need to be cleaned depends on several factors. In particular, from the time of her service, as well as from how dirty the air is in the room. Equally important is the quality of the water poured into the device.

Well, the averages are:

• the case with the fan must be cleaned once a year (or six months);
• a water tank with a pallet needs to be cleaned once every 14 days;
• we take care of discs every month.

Optimum continuous washing time.

This, as a rule, can be done independently. Many models are equipped with a built-in timer that allows you to configure the duration of work without interruption (usually from 8 to 12 hours). And there are also sinks that can work around the clock. They typically consume extremely little electricity.

In general, the operating time depends on the air quality in the room, as well as on personal preferences. Suppose you bought a sink for the first time - in this case, in the first days you need to let it work longer. The device will quickly give the air and objects in the room the necessary amount of moisture, as well as cope with the main pollution.

In principle, the longer the wash runs, the cleaner the air in the room becomes, saturated with moisture in optimal proportions. Due to the natural principle of operation, it will not work to moisten the air - and this is a plus.

Thus, you can completely trust the unit. And in two or three days you will already feel how much easier it became to breathe. A healthy microclimate will surround you and loved ones all the time.