What devices can measure the humidity in the apartment

The cause of relapses of allergic and respiratory diseases can be the indoor microclimate: temperature, absolute and relative humidity. Normal values ​​of these parameters create favorable conditions for a person to live in an apartment or a private house. But how is air humidity measured? The answer is simple: a hygrometer or a psychrometer.

Tip

Before purchasing the device, you should learn about its advantages and disadvantages.

One of the undoubted advantages of the device for determining the moisture content in airspace is its ease of use.

Optimal values

Humidity in the apartment - the degree of saturation of the air in pairs. It is measured as a percentage of the actual amount of moisture to the maximum possible value at the same temperature. It is not difficult to determine its increased parameters: mold appears in the corners of the room, a person worsens chronic diseases, and immunity decreases. With low humidity in the room, wooden furniture quickly deteriorates, and family members have unpleasant sensations of dryness of the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes. If there is no moisture in the surrounding area, then the dust does not settle on the surfaces for a long time, but remains in the air, penetrates the bronchi and lungs.

The target accessory of the room determines the optimal humidity parameters. The norm is expressed as a percentage:

• living room - 50-60%;
• bedroom - 45-50%;
• children - 50-60%;
• cabinet - 40-45%;
• kitchen and bathroom - up to 60%.

The values ​​obtained during the measurement process are influenced by many factors - time of year, power of heating radiators, region of residence.

Specialists operate on two types of humidity:

• relative;
• absolute.

The last value shows how much moisture is in the cubic meter (in which the air in the room is measured). In everyday life, the absolute indicator is practically not used.

Tip

Humidity parameters can be determined using indoor plants. If the leaves curl and turn yellow, harmful insects often settle on them, then the air in the room is very dry. When brown spots appear on the flowers, and the roots begin to rot, this means that there is an excess of water in the surrounding space.

Relative humidity is measured using instruments that are convenient for a person to use without special skills with complex devices. This parameter is quite sufficient to determine the moisture content in the surrounding space.

Types of appliances

At home, air humidity is measured in various ways, but the most objective values ​​are obtained using special devices: a hygrometer and a psychrometer.

Hygrometers

Humidity is measured using a hygrometer, the principle of which is based on fixing variables when increasing or decreasing the concentration of water molecules in the surrounding space. Under such conditions, physical parameters (density, mass, length) of the structure of the material used in the measurement process and actively absorbing moisture change. The results obtained will characterize the degree of saturation of the surrounding space with water vapor. Before measuring air humidity with a hygrometer, please note that the values ​​will be approximate.

In specialized stores, hygrometers are presented in a wide assortment. They are:

• hairy;
• by weight;
• condensation;
• electrolytic;
• ceramic.

For domestic use, the device is not particularly accurate.It is easy to determine the relative humidity with a hygrometer, but there are also operational characteristics of the device.

Before measuring air humidity, you need to take into account the features of using a hygrometer:

• it is always necessary to ensure that the moisturizing material is wet and clean;
• Do not place the device near air conditioners or radiators.

The principle of operation of the hygrometer is based on a comparison of the readings of a thermometer in contact with wet material and a thermometer that records values ​​in a real situation. Results are determined on a standard graded scale. The difference in parameters is verified with the data of the psychometric table, regardless of which instrument the values ​​were received from.

Psychrometers

To measure air humidity with a psychrometer, you should understand the principle of its operation. When the liquid evaporates, the ambient temperature decreases. The more intense the evaporation, the cooler the air becomes, which the device determines. A complex of factors affects this process:

• water vapor concentration;
• air flow rate in the room.

Given the temperature difference between the wet material and the air, the evaporation rate can be determined. If the device is located near a window or fan, then the obtained values ​​will not be accurate due to the circulation of flows.

Relative humidity is measured using the following types of psychrometers:

• stationary;
• remote;
• suction.

The latter are considered the most accurate and reliable devices. It is very easy to measure the air humidity using the Assman psychrometer - the device is equipped with a protective case. Therefore, the air flow velocity does not affect the obtained values.

Handy ways

One of the informative methods by which you can determine the humidity in the apartment is to observe a burning candle. In a room with a normal microclimate, its flame is strong, even. With an excessive moisture content in the surrounding space, the candle flame fluctuates from side to side, and scarlet blotches appear on its edge. Do not forget that air humidity is measured in this way with windows and doors closed.

You can determine the water vapor content using an ordinary glass of water. After placing it in the refrigerator, you should wait about an hour. During this time, the temperature of the liquid will drop to 3-4 ° C. Relative humidity is detected after removing the glass and observing the ongoing evaporation processes:

• the walls of the vessel remain foggy - the moisture content is within normal limits;
• dry walls - low air humidity;
• condensate flows down - there is a lot of water vapor in the surrounding area.

Tip

If washed items dry quickly in the room, you should consider purchasing a humidifier. And the wetting of objects from tissues indicates the content of excess moisture in the room.

Which device to use, decide the owner of the room. People who care about their health and strive to maintain all microclimate parameters within the normal range, equip their apartment with a real home weather station. Manufacturers launched the production of instruments equipped with a barometer, hygrometer and thermometer. Of course, such a device cannot be cheap. But all the costs quickly pay off - the owners of the room save on medicines for family members, they do not need to change the wallpaper and upholstered furniture spoiled by the fungus.