How to buy a room hygrometer: types and functions of devices

Taking care of our own health, we try to create the most comfortable living conditions in the house. And one of the most important components is maintaining the microclimate and humidity in the room. For this task, the best solution is to buy a room hygrometer. Consider what types of this device are, and what to focus on when choosing.

Why you need to buy a room hygrometer, and what it can be

A room hygrometer is a device that measures and displays the relative humidity in a room. Thanks to him, you can constantly receive data on the state of the microclimate in the house and, accordingly, make adjustments. Depending on the mechanism of action, all hygrometers are divided into several types:

• hair hygrometer - its work is based on the natural property of human hair to change its length under the influence of moisture;
• condensation hygrometer - receives information from a special mechanism, which is a mirror on which condensation forms due to exposure to light;

• weight hygrometer, which gives readings by measuring the amount of water vapor;
• psychometric - functions at the expense of two thermometers, determining the difference in the readings they provide. When it comes to measuring indoor humidity readings, this option is used.

Why you need to buy a room air humidity meter

The state of human health depends on many factors, one of which is the purity of the air and the presence of the required amount of moisture in it. If the humidity in the room is too low, the mucous membranes of the human respiratory tract will dry out, which can cause a favorable environment for the life of pathogenic bacteria.

To maintain a favorable microclimate in the room, hygrometers are used. The principle of operation of the device, which measures the humidity of the air in the room, is as follows: two thermometers, one of which is normal and the other humidified, constantly measure the temperature of the ambient air.The second thermometer is humidified with ordinary distilled water, but this is what makes it possible to obtain different indicators and, based on this difference, make the necessary calculations.

The most primitive hygrometers for the home provide for the use of a special table, having found in which the corresponding temperature indicators, one can draw conclusions about the current humidity in the room. More modern models are equipped with a set of microcircuits that independently perform all calculations and display the finished result.

Today, in addition to traditional hygrometers, many devices equipped with additional functions can be found on sale. For example, in addition to data on air humidity, the device can show:

• current date and time;
• Atmosphere pressure;
• indoor air temperature.

Note! Some devices inform their owners about violations in the indoor climate using special color indicators. This allows you to notice and fix the problem in a timely manner.

For those who are worried about their own health and are trying to maintain all indicators in the house at an optimal level, manufacturers offer to buy a hygrometer-thermometer-barometer. When combined, these devices allow complete control of the microclimate. True, such a device is quite expensive.

How to choose and where to buy a hygrometer

In order to choose the best device for yourself, first of all, you need to figure out which of its functions you need. Its cost directly depends on how many additional functions it will include. It doesn't make any sense to purchase a barometer-hygrometer-thermometer in one if you only want to know the relative humidity.

Note! The normal indicator of the moisture content in the air is considered to be a level of 40-60%. Of course, a short stay in a room where there are deviations from this standard cannot cause noticeable harm, however, permanent residence can affect health, especially of children.

Another important selection criterion is the range of the device and the accuracy with which it works. Ideally, the operating range of the hygrometer should be from 0 to 100%, although instruments with a scale of 20-80% can be used in living rooms. In this case, the error of the device should be minimal. Although, we must admit that the error of a conventional electronic hygrometer can be from 5 to 10%, depending on the model.

The period of time spent by the device to receive data also plays a significant role. The cheapest and most common models today make all the necessary measurements and calculations in a period of 30 to 60 seconds. This is long enough and it is better to look for more modern models, the operating time of which is reduced to 1-5 seconds.

It is interesting that modern devices that professionals use in their activities are able to obtain the most accurate data in just one tenth of a second.

When asked where to buy a hygrometer for an apartment, there are two possible answers. On the one hand, you can devote time to this and visit a specialized store, where, having looked and studied each proposed model, choose the most suitable one. On the other hand, you can make a choice based on reviews posted on websites and forums and order the device online.

Useful advice! In addition to traditional models of the device, you can buy a room hygrometer, where a clock with a thermometer and a hygrometer are placed on one base, representing a single complex.

Overview of the hygrometer VIT-2: how to use, the main characteristics of the device

On the modern market, you can find a huge number of a wide variety of devices that differ from each other, both in functions and in design. Consider one of the simplest and most popular models of the device today, which is excellent for household use - the VIT-2 hygrometer, which can be bought almost everywhere.

The first feature of this particular device is that its use requires certain temperature conditions. So, in the cold season, the air temperature should not fall below -15 ° С, and in summer it should not exceed 40 ° С. Considering that we are talking about measuring humidity in rooms, it is not difficult to comply with this condition, but you still need to know about it.

Depending on the ambient temperature, the measuring range for relative humidity also changes:

Ambient temperature, ° C	Measurement range of relative humidity,%
20-23	54-90
23-26	40-90
26-40	20-90

 

The scale division of this hygrometer is 0.2 ° C, which makes it possible to obtain fairly accurate readings. And toluene is used as a thermometric liquid in this device, which, unlike mercury, is safe.

Important! When buying a psychrometric hygrometer, you need to know that its transportation also has special requirements. The device must be transported in a strictly vertical position. This is especially true for the cold season.

The principle of operation of a psychrometric hygrometer

In order to understand how to use the VIT-2 psychrometric hygrometer, you must have an idea of ​​its appearance, as well as the principle of operation. Visually, it is a plastic base 290 mm high, 120 mm wide and 50 mm thick. On this basis, two thermometers are fixed, as well as a temperature scale and a psychrometric table. In addition, there is also a glass feeder, which is necessary for humidifying one of the thermometers.

As mentioned, one of the thermometers receives data while remaining dry, and the other is constantly exposed to moisture. This is due to the fact that the capillary of this thermometer is in a special fabric material that perfectly absorbs water and, due to this, constantly maintains the required level of humidity. With this cooling, the readings of the second thermometer are different, which makes it possible to compare the data.

In order to make the necessary calculations, it is enough to use the table. Having found the obtained indicators of "dry" and "wet" thermometers, at the point of intersection of these values, the relative humidity of the air will be indicated.

Another important condition for the accurate operation of such a device is that the speed of movement of air flows in the room should not exceed 1 m / s. Otherwise, the difference between the thermometer readings will be greater than it actually is, and as a result, you will get an incredibly low air humidity.

Other options for measuring indoor humidity

Of course, not everyone wants to constantly tinker with a calculation table, and in this case, buying a psychrometric hygrometer is not the best option. Electrical devices that combine several functions at once are very popular today, for example, a clock, a thermometer, a barometer, a hygrometer.

Another popular combination is humidifier with a hygrometer. It is not difficult to buy such a device, but its use also has some subtleties. The main problem is that air humidity is measured in the immediate vicinity of the source of moisture, which means that it is rather difficult to consider these data reliable.

It goes without saying that in everyday life there is also the use of home-made devices. So, it is quite easy to make a room thermometer-hygrometer with your own hands.But it should be borne in mind that the error that you will have to face in the process of using it will undoubtedly be greater than in the case of using an electronic or mechanical hygrometer.

How to make a psychrometric hygrometer with your own hands

Of course, buying a ready-made moisture meter is much easier. Moreover, its cost is quite affordable for everyone. However, some people want to make such a device themselves. Let's take a quick look at how you can do this.

First of all, you will need the following components:

• a piece of cotton fabric;
• thread;
• plywood or board;
• distilled water;
• two standard mercury thermometers that measure the room temperature.

First of all, it is necessary to install and fix two thermometers on the board, which will be the body. They must be fastened side by side, parallel to each other. Then, under one of the thermometers, you need to fix a container in which there will be water. A small flask or vial from under something is perfect for this purpose. The tip of the thermometer, which contains the bulk of the mercury, is wrapped in a piece of cloth, and then tightly wrapped with a thread to prevent it from slipping. The edge of the fabric is lowered into a container filled with water.

This device should be used according to the same principle as a classic psychrometric hygrometer. And you can easily find a special table that will help you in calculations on specialized sites on the Internet.

Related article:

Air humidifier: benefits and harms, reviews, doctors' opinion on the use of devices

The problem of dry air in the room and ways to solve it. Disadvantages and advantages of air humidifiers.

Indoor hygrometers: prices for the most modern and popular models

Before you buy an air humidity meter, it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the prices for different types of devices. Thus, it will be easiest for you to decide how much money you are willing to pay for certain add-ons in the device, and whether there is really a need for them.

You can buy a mechanical hygrometer of sufficiently high quality, but without any additional functions, for 500-600 rubles. At the same time, it is unlikely that it will be possible to buy an electronic hygrometer for that kind of money, since the cost of this type of device starts from 1-2 thousand rubles and can double.

Home weather stations: wall barometer, thermometer, hygrometer

The most interesting and at the same time expensive option that can be found is the home weather station, which is a wall clock with a barometer, hygrometer and thermometer. Prices for such kits start from 5 thousand rubles and can increase significantly due to the original design of the decoration, as well as rare and expensive materials.

The ability to simultaneously monitor such indicators as air temperature and humidity, as well as atmospheric pressure is an undoubted advantage of systems such as home weather stations. And although buying a hygrometer, barometer and thermometer is not a very cheap pleasure, it is undoubtedly justified.

Depending on the design, such temperature and humidity meters can cost more than one thousand rubles, but at the same time they can become a worthy decoration for your interior, as well as a gift.

Among other things, today on sale you can find the most unusual combinations of devices with a hygrometer. So the baby monitor with the function of measuring air humidity in the children's room is gaining popularity. There are also models that connect to the Internet and additionally display a weather forecast on the screen.

A room air humidity meter is a very useful device that allows you to regulate the indoor climate. And no matter what type of device you prefer, everyone can figure out how to use a hygrometer.