Digital humidifiers are devices that can increase the humidity within a room or several rooms, using a digital interface. They utilize the digital technology to offer more features than standard, non-digital, humidifiers. These features include temperature sensors, digital control panels, humidity detectors and more. Digital humidifiers can be made with a wide range of additional features, including the ability to switch between warm and cold water, built-in ionizers, and more.
Non-digital humidifiers use simplified analog controls to output moisture into a given area. The devices are typically filled with water, as well as other antibacterial additives. Once properly set up, some have only two states, which are on or off. Other, more advanced non-digital humidifiers have a knob that controls a variable moisture output.
Digital humidifiers basically operate in the same manner as their non-digital counterparts. A simple digital humidifier includes a screen, or interface, that is used to monitor the temperature and humidity levels in the room where the humidifier is being used. The part of the machine that takes the actual humidity measurements is known as a hygrometer, or psychrometer. This is an essential component within digital humidifiers.
Hygrometers are installed in digital humidifiers not only to measure the humidity in the air, but also to control it. The user can use the digital interface to set a desired humidity level. The humidifier, in turn, will automatically control its humidity output to attain the desired level. The humidity will often be registered in terms of a percentage, known as relative humidity. The desired range of relative humidity that a humidifier is used to maintain is usually between 30 and 70 percent.
The method by which water is dispersed into the air can vary between humidifiers. A steam humidifier, or vaporizer, uses a heat source to boil the water so it is released as steam. The impeller variety uses a quickly-spinning disc to convert the water into tiny droplets. Most digital humidifiers use an ultrasonic humidifier. These use a vibrating metal diaphragm that quietly projects the tiny droplets into the air as a cool mist.
There are other features that are available on the digital readouts of humidifiers. A common example is a clock. Another available feature is a water level monitor, for alerting the user when it is necessary to refill the tank. The digital screens can also be back-lit by one or more colors, to be used as night lights. If the humidifier doubles as an air ionizer, the interface will also incorporate its controls.