Consumer question:
The control for the air cleaner is saying it is filtering even when it is disconnected from the unit and also when the unit is not actually filtering.
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting us with regards to your model 5000 Electronic Air Cleaner. The air cleaner control works on a negative signal logic, meaning that when it sees no connection to the furnace or thermostat, it assumes the fan is running and the air cleaner is working. The control needs to be wired in properly in order to truly see when the fan is active or not. If it still shows Filtering when the control is connected, there may be a problem with the wiring. We would recommend that you contact your installer to troubleshoot the installation further.
We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.
Consumer question:
Can I clean my aprilaire filter or do I need to replace it?
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting us regarding the water panel (filter) for your 600A. Because there is a special coating on the water panel that helps the water adhere to the water panel, we don't recommend cleaning the water panel. By cleaning it, you may remove some of this coating and this will affect the performance of the water panel as well as the humidifier. We recommend changing the water panel with a genuine Aprilaire water panel for maximum performance. By replacing the water panel in the beginning of the heating season, your humidifier will be ready to run at peak performance for the winter.
If you have any further questions regarding this or any of our products, please feel free to contact our customer service department at your earliest convenience.
Consumer question:
Is the 8466 Dual Fuel capatable, if so how do you set it up ?
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting us with regards to your model 8466 Thermostats. There are two requirements for dual fuel mode. The thermostat must be in heat pump mode (set by the switch on the back), and the auxiliary heat must be set to Gas or Oil. Under these conditions, whenever the thermostat stages from compressor to auxiliary, the thermostat will lock out the compressor.
This thermostat can also act as a fossil fuel kit. When the outdoor temperature sensor is installed and enabled, the thermostat enables settings for high and low balance points. The high balance point will lock out the auxiliary heat when the outdoor temperature rises above that level. The low balance point locks out the compressor when the outdoor temperature falls below that level. In-between, the thermostat will stage based on demand. Please see your installation instructions for more information.
We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.
Consumer question:
I just upgraded to your 413 filter. Was using the 401. I changed my old 401 every 18 months. Wondering if that's still a good interval. Longer? Shorter? Check it at 1 year? The 401's were dirty, not filthy by any means, when I changed them. Our house is pretty tight. Thanks.
Aprilaires' response:
Typically we have found that when moving from the 401 to the 413 that consumers will need to change the 413 at about the same interval that the 401 was changed.
Consumer question:
I just purchased a model 600 with the automatic humidity control. I do not have a return duct. I was planning on running a 6\" duct from the unit to the inside of the filter box to make the unit work. I noticed the model 60 controller says it needs to be mounted on the return duct. Why can this not be mounted on the wall near my thermostat. I would think if I used stand-offs to allow air to get to the sensor this would work the same. Does the sensor need active air flow to work or would it still register the humidity if mounted on the wall? I would rather use the automatic function rather than the manual mode for obvious reasons.
Aprilaires' Response:
Thank you for your email regarding your model 600A Aprilaire humidifier. The model 60 humidifier control requires air movement to ensure the humidity sensor on the back of the humidifier control gets an accurate reading of the humidity. When mounted to a wall it is difficult for air to get behind the humidistat. Our recommendation would be to install the manual humidistat our model 4655.
Consumer question:
We have the Aprilaire Space-Gard Air Cleaner Model 2200, using the Replacement Media #201, and we have the model which has an inner housing with the center aluminum brace down the middle.
The two end panels of the inner media housing are faced with a pink \"insulation-type\" material to seal the edges so the air flow can\'t go around the media. The outer (removable) panel also has the same pink material.
Over time this pink material has become very dusty and dirty (in the spaces where it lies between the folds of the media). I have turned each of them once, and now both sides are very dirty. I have tried vacuuming the surfaces, but the dirt is lodged so deeply that it will not come out. I want to have clean surfaces on these three panels.
1.) May I wash that pink "insulation" material?
2.) Are there other ways to clean those surfaces?
(like, what did the original engineers have in mind?)
3.) Are there replacement pink insulation pieces available?
Please advise.
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for your email regarding the seals for your model 2200 Space-Gard Air Cleaner. The seals will get dirty over time as they are designed to catch any particles which try to avoid the 201 filtering media. Once the seals catch the particles they are permanently trapped. Since you would like to replace them you may contact your installing contractor to obtain the seal kit, our part number 4725.
Consumer question:
How do I remove the humidifier filter from the plastic housing so I can replace it with the new filter? I have reviewed the video, but it does not show how to get the plastic housing out.
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting us regarding changing the water panel on your model 600. To remove the frame that holds the water panel (filter), you must first remove the outer cover. Then remove the water feed tube from top of the frame. Once the feed tube is removed, grab the frame by the top and pull towards you, rocking the frame out of the humidifier, top first. This should allow you to remove the frame from the humidifier. Once the frame is out, remove the tray with the six holes in it from the top of the frame. This will allow you to remove the water panel.
Replace the water panel making sure the colored mark is facing up and reverse the above process to put the humidifier back together. Be sure to check that the drain on the bottom of the frame is sitting in the drain spud at the bottom of the humidifier base.
If you have any further questions regarding this or any of our products, please feel free to contact our customer service department at your earliest convenience.
Consumer questions:
Do we just turn the dial to turn on the humidifier now that the heater is on, or does the water need to be turned on as well, and, if so, how do we do that?
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting us regarding your model 600. Now that your furnace is running, you can turn your humidifier control on to your preferred range. Also, you would need to make sure that water is being supplied to the humidifier. To do this, start by making sure the saddle valve is open. The saddle valve can be found by following the water supply line from the solenoid valve back to where the saddle valve is connected to a main water supply line. Once you've confirmed the saddle valve is supplying water to the humidifier, the humidifier is ready for the winter.
We recommend replacing the water panel (filter) at the beginning of the heating season for maximum performance. Genuine Aprilaire water panels can be purchased from your installing contractor or by visiting our estore at the following link:
http://estore.aprilaire.com/catalog/humidifiers/model-600-series-parts/253 If you have any further questions regarding this or any of our products, please feel free to contact our customer service department at your earliest convenience.
Consumer question:
Recently I had central air conditioning installed on my hot air furnace. After installing the coil the contractor found that there was no room left to reinstall the Aprilaire 550 whole house humidifier on the supply side. He then installed it on the return side just before the Hepa air filter cartridge. He ran an aluminum circular flexible duct over to the supply side.
I have concerns about this:
1) won't this simply force water into my hepa filter and create mold /mildew in it?
2) By the contractor running the flexible circular ductwork over to the supply side - is this sufficient to force all the available water moisture coming from the Aprilaire unit into the supply ductwork?
3) Should the unit now be attached to the hot water line instead of the cold water line?
4) Considering the lack of room to install on the supply side [since the a/c coil has been installed] is there any other more preferable place to install this uni
t other than the return side - and risk soaking the Hepa cartridge air filter?
Thank you for your time and consideration on these critically important matters.
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting us about your humidifier and addressing these issues with us. I'd be happy to explain what can be done here.
1) It is ok for the humidified air to be introduced ahead of the filter. This is because our humidifier is creating a vapor. Vapor is just like the moisture already in the air. Its invisible, light and cannot condense onto anything such as the filter media or the duct work itself.
2) The beauty of our by-pass humidifier models is that the force will be equal no matter which side the unit is installed on. This is because force from the furnace is the same regardless of any new add-ons.
3) Cold water may be ok. If you have a standard furnace and only run the humidifier when the heat is on than cold water is okay. The only time cold water would be bad would be in situations where you run your fan to try and humidify (no heat source in this application).
4) Referring back to question 1, If the supply side is not available and return side is a equal alternative. Air flow will still allow the air to circulate through the air filter without harm and will continue to create and obtain the adequate humidity you are looking for.
If you have any questions please give us a call @ 1-800-334-6011.
Consumer question:
I just noticed that the model 2400 Aprilaire air cleanerunit is installed backwards according to the air flow arrow on the filter frame. How will this affect the filter and the HVAC unit performance? Do I need to change it?
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting us with regards to your model 2400 Air Cleaner. Our Aprilaire Media Air Cleaners are designed to fit with most heating/cooling equipment and duct work configurations. They attach to the outside of the heating/cooling equipment at the point where all of the air flow return ducts join together before the air passes into the heating/cooling equipment. This means that the air cleaner can be placed in an upright position, upside-down, on its side, or even standing straight up, as long as the air passes from the duct work through the air cleaner into the heating/cooling equipment. The outer housing door is universal and fits both ways.
In the past, our air cleaners had a rigid structure to the filter which required that the air flow pass in a certain direction through the cleaner. The cabinet had an arrow indicating the proper direction of the air flow through it so that its internal filter would be positioned correctly. These included our models 2200 and 2400.
Our current line of media air cleaners have a filter that can be reversed inside the cabinet. This means that the cabinet can be mounted in any direction and that the filter can be flipped around to match the direction of the air flow. This allows for a simpler installation and prevents the appearance that an air cleaner has been installed upside-down.
Air passing through the air cleaner in the wrong direction could lead to air leakage around the filter, increased air resistance, or filter collapse as the filter is structurally supported against air flow only in one direction. The efficiency of the Aprilaire air cleaner is not affected. If an older model air cleaner has been installed incorrectly, we recommend that either the original installer or another service contractor revisit the installation and reposition the cabinet so that the air flow passes through the air cleaner properly. Some sheet metal work may be required so that the return air duct can be attached to the flange on the inlet side of the outer housing when the air cleaner is turned in the proper direction. In addition, sheet metal work may also be required at the furnace so that the flat outlet side of the air cleaner can be attached to the furnace return air opening.
We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.
Consumer question:
On an upflow furnace without a/c (heat only) what is the preferred location of the main components of an Aprilaire 500 series? Should the main unit be mounted on the output(hot)side and the bypass on the return plenum with the controls above the bypass on the return? Thank you in advance
Aprilaires' response:
Thanks for contacting us about you Aprilaire humidifier.
The mounting of the main unit depends on the space available. Preferably the main unit would be mounted on the return duct before the air filter. The bypass duct connection should be connected to the supply plenum, about 12 inches away from the furnace. Mounting of the humidistat should be at least 6 inches upstream of the connection to the return duct.
Thank you for allowing us to assist you.
Consumer question:
Is it necessary to have the regular one inch filters in place? I have them and replace them monthly. These are the standard filters used when you don't have an Aprilaire filter.
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for your email regarding your model 2200 Aprilaire air cleaner. Once the model 2200 was installed the 1" furnace filters should have been removed as there is no need for additional filters with the model 2200 installed. If they have not been removed, please do so. If not, the operation of your HVAC blower may be affected.
This weekend I was dragged along to an outlet mall. If my first statement wasn't a good enough clue, then I'll just come out and say it, I'm not the shopping type.
The shops lined a massive parking lot, and the whole mall was pretty busy. As we pulled in there was a funny smell in the air I recognized very well. I used to load that smell fifty pounds at a time into people's cars at my old job, it was asphalt sealant. The smell was fairly overpowering, the parking lot had clearly been redone the night before.
It was amazing what a relief it continuously felt to enter a store and get out of the parking lot just to get away from the smell. and what a headache it was to go back outside. We were more than aware that the bad smell was accompanied with bad chemicals. Despite my usual tendency to hang out outside, while people get their shopping done, I found myself accompanying them into the store.
It was clear which store's were running better air cleaners. Some stores still smelled of the parking lot, but others managed to smell fresh and clean despite only a door seperating its air from the parking lot's air. We forget about air quality so easily, but when it's staring us in the face we remember not to take it for granted. I'm fortunate to say I survived the shopping trip, and I survived the parking lot smells and chemicals, and have returned with another reminder of the importance of indoor air quality.
Consumer question:
We had an Aprilaire humidifier installed several years ago. The business that installed it is no longer around, the company that services our HVAC needs is not too familiar with these products. Last winter I replaced the filter (as I do every year - in December) and it was running fine....obviously, it does not run during the summer, but the "Replace Water Panel" and "Call Dealer for Service" lights have been flashing for awhile now...should I be concerned about this? It's turned to "off" and when I reset it and turn it back to "off" the lights continue to flash. I'm not sure of the exact model...from the pictures on the replacement filter packaging I can see it's in the 700's. Thanks for your help!
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting us regarding the change water panel light on your humidifier control. This light is nothing to be concerned about. It is simply a reminder to change the water panel after a pre-determined amount of run time and has no effect on the operation of the humidifier. Once reset, the internal clock will reset and not turn on the light again until the next time the time limit is reached.
To reset the light, please refer to the attached document for step by step instructions.
If you have any further questions regarding this or any of our products, please feel free to contact our customer service department at your earliest convenience.
At my house we have a pretty weak vacuum. You have to roll over the same carpet spot, with little to no speed, several times to make sure you've picked up half the dirt in the carpet. Because of this weakness, nobody likes to use the vacuum, and for some reason that means nobody uses the vacuum until it is desperately needed. It's annoying, but we shrug it off as a college norm.
I remember seeing the first commercials for a robotic vacuum cleaner that would roll around your rooms on its own. I remember thinking the idea was fun when it first came out, I must have been in middle school then. There have been a few advances in technology since, and I'm sure the machines have gotten much better at their jobs, but now students from the Rhode Island University of Design have just made those little robotic vacuums
even more functional.
The students have equipped the Roomba robotic vacuum with an air quality sensor so while it's cleaning up the mess in your carpet, it can let you know about the mess in your air. They already roll around full rooms at a time, so they're an ideal machine to test your air quality as well. The tricked out roomba will test for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as it sucks up dirt, pretty slick.
See the project page
here.
The project was funded by
Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science (PLOTS) which funds projects that are environmentally or socially progressive. The Roomba is now looking pretty legit! Now if I could only convince my roommates it's a necessity...
Consumer question:
I run the Aprilaire model 760 humidifier during the winter months (November to April). What is your recommendation on how often to replace the filter?
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting Aprilaire.
We recommend that you replace the water panel once every year.
Consumer Comments:
I changed the filter today and noticed that two of the fine wires running across the filter had corroded where the end hooks over the tension clip. So two are non functional (I cut them so they would not interfere with the others). Do I need to replace these and if I do what is the part number? Thanks.
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting us regarding the ionizer wires for your model 5000 air cleaner. These wires are important in creating the electrical field that charges the particles in your air before they are captured. Without all the ionizer wires in place, the 5000 will not be operating properly.
We have replacement wires available on our estore. Follow the link below to place an order for replacement wires:
http://estore.aprilaire.com/catalog/air-cleaners/model-5000-parts There are two different parts for the ionizer wires based on which model 5000 you have. The model will be based on the door color and the color of the light on the door. This is also explained in the product description on the estore.
If you have any further questions regarding this or any of our products, please feel free to contact our customer service department at your earliest convenience.
Consumer question:
How do I open my Aprilaire 2210 air cleaner to change the filter? I tugged on the handle, but it doesn't budge; I'm afraid if I pull harder, the handle will just pull off. Thanks!
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting us about your air cleaner. The Air Cleaner door should pull straight out. There are four strong metal clips that hold this door in place and it could be stuck because these clips are stiff. If you give a little extra tug, you should see it pop free. If something does break, the door does obtain a 5-year warranty through your dealer.
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