Aprilaire Humidifiers

                                                  My name is Dennie Plomedahl and I am the Product Specialist for humidifiers and dehumidifiers for Aprilaire.  As you know, in the cold winter months, the air in your home can become dry to the point that it is unbearable; static shock, hair that stands on end, dry itchy skin, nasal membranes that crack and bleed all become issues.  Enough said, you know what I'm talking about, because we've all lived it.  But there is no need to suffer.  Proper humidification prevents all these things from happening and more.  My passion is to spread the word on how proper humidification provides the comfort and protection that everyone needs.  As the father of four, this passion starts at home.  I protect my family and you can protect yours.  The goal of this blog is to make everyone as passionate as I am, to help you understand that you have the right to better health and comfort through proper humidification. 

It's March 11, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin.  The outside temperature is a seasonal 43 degrees, with an expected high of 53 degrees.  Not bad.  What is bad is that the relative humidity (RH) is a whopping 93%.  Wow!  That's what's going on outside.  How does that translate into what's going on in your home?  Chances are your indoor RH is rapidly rising, leaving you very uncomfortable and putting your home at risk from the dangers of mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses and more.  What can you do to eliminate these risks and concerns?   Install a whole-house dehumidifier from Aprilaire.

Aprilaire is your whole-house solution
An Aprilaire whole-house dehumidifier works in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to efficiently remove moisture from every room of your home.  Also, unlike portable units that only remove moisture from the room they are sitting in, Aprilaire dehumidifiers have no messy tanks to empty and clean.  Aprilaire truly is the best dehumidification solution.

Call your local Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your Aprilaire whole-house dehumidifier.  End the suffering; call today.

Aprilaire - protecting you and your family for over 50 years!  

Did you suffer from the ill-effects of dry air this winter because you don't have a whole- house humidifier?  Did you have dry, itchy skin or get jolted by static shocks?  Did the woodwork in your home shrink and crack?  One more question; do you have a tax return coming this year?

Spend your tax return wisely
If you're tired of suffering every winter and you have a tax return coming your way, suffer no longer.  Aprilaire is the industry leader in residential indoor air quality (IAQ).  Not only do we have products that ensure proper levels of relative humidity (RH) throughout your entire home, we offer the best in whole-house air cleaners, thermostats, ventilation, and zoning.  Aprilaire is also viewed as the best IAQ value in the industry.  So much so that after you've paid for your Aprilaire humidifier, you'll probably have enough tax return dollars left over to buy that techno-gadget you've had your eye on.

Call your local Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your whole-house humidifier today.  Getting your Aprilaire whole-house humidifier installed now will give you peace of mind going into next year’s heating season. 

Aprilaire - protecting you and your family, and providing peace of mind, for over 50 years!

Do you remember last spring when all the snow was finally melted and it got warm enough
outside to go without a jacket?  Do you also remember that it wasn't warm enough to turn on the air conditioning, but you still felt uncomfortable?  This happens every spring due to the high levels of relative humidity (RH).  The phrase "it's not the heat, it's the humidity" is all too true.  High RH levels can make it feel like it's 5 to 10 degrees warmer than it actually is.  One way to combat this is to turn on your air conditioner, as moisture removal is a natural byproduct of air conditioning.  But in order to remove the excess moisture, you need to cool the air to a level that makes you too cold. 

Aprilaire to the rescue
A whole-house dehumidifier from Aprilaire works in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to remove excess moisture from every room of your home.  Unlike air conditioning that is designed primarily to cool your home, Aprilaire removes moisture when AC is not required, efficiently removing moisture and providing the comfort you deserve.  Maintenance is a breeze with Aprilaire as well.  Unlike portable dehumidifiers that require you to empty and clean a tank on a daily basis, Aprilaire dehumidifiers only require an annual filter cleaning.  Hassle free convenience and comfort; that's what Aprilaire is all about.

Contact your Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your whole-house dehumidifier today and avoid all the discomforts you felt last year.  Your family will thank you for it.

Aprilaire - fresh ideas for indoor air.

 

It's not too late!  You don't have to suffer the agonizing effects of dry air any longer.  Are you tired of dry, cracked skin?  Scratchy throat?  Static electricity?  Why have you been suffering when you could alleviate all of these problems and more by having an Aprilaire whole-house humidifier installed?

Whole-house is the key
Dry air is abundant throughout your entire home in the winter months when your heating system is operating.  This dry air wreaks havoc on both your health and your home and possessions.  Unlike portable units that humidify one room at a time, a whole-house humidifier from Aprilaire works in conjunction with your home's HVAC system to provide soothing moisture to every room in your home.  Maintenance is a breeze with Aprilaire as well, with no cumbersome tanks to fill every day (what a hassle).

Contact your Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your Aprilaire whole-house humidifier today.  It's not too late to enjoy all the benefits that properly humidified air can bring to you and your family.

Aprilaire - fresh ideas for indoor air.
 

Do you ever wonder why your basement has a stale, musty smell?  Or why the temperature is only 70 degrees, yet you're sweating and uncomfortable?  The answer is high humidity.  Too much moisture makes you feel miserable and can lead to damage to your home from mold and mildew, neither of which is acceptable.  Do you ever wonder if there is a solution to excess moisture?

Aprilaire is the answer
A whole-house dehumidifier from Aprilaire solves your excess moisture problems.  It works in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to quietly and efficiently remove excess moisture from every room of your home.  Maintenance with Aprilaire is also a breeze.  Unlike noisy portable dehumidifiers that take up space in your living room, Aprilaire dehumidifiers have no messy tanks to empty and clean.  Simply wash or replace the air filter on an annual basis.  That's it.  We call it "out of sight, out of mind."

Call your local Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your Aprilaire whole-house dehumidifier today.  Your family and your home will thank you.

Aprilaire - fresh ideas for indoor air.  

"Seeing is believing" is a statement that rings true for most of us.  We won't believe something unless we've actually seen it with our own eyes.  Sometimes the impact of a situation doesn't really hit you unless you've actually seen it.  An example is the horrifying death of the Georgian luger at this year’s winter Olympics.

What is it that you're seeing lately: dry itchy skin, warped or cracked woodwork in your home, static electricity, nose bleeds?  Are you horrified to see this happening to you, your family, or your home?  Now that you've seen the effects of dry air, are you ready to take action?

Aprilaire is the answer
A whole-house humidifier from Aprilaire solves all your problems associated with dry air.  It works in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to add soothing humidity to every room of your home.  This protective moisture improves your family’s health and preserves your valuable assets from the excruciating effects of dry air.  Call your local Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of an Aprilaire humidifier today.  Your family and your home will thank you.

Aprilaire - fresh ideas for indoor air.
 

Springtime is just around the corner.  Soon all of us will be able to turn off the furnace, open the windows, and let some fresh air in the house.  Or will we?  The outdoor temperature seems inviting, but how's that humidity?  When you open those windows, do you also open up the potential to bring in lots of moisture that can make you uncomfortable as well as damage your home?  You could keep the windows closed and turn on the air conditioner in an effort to dry out the air.  But now you’re too cold...and frustrated.

Aprilaire has your dehumidification solution
Aprilaire has a full line of whole-house dehumidifiers that provide all the health and comfort benefits that come with proper levels of humidification.  Aprilaire dehumidifiers work quietly in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to protect every room of your home from the downfalls of excess moisture.  This includes your health and comfort, as well as your personal property.  Maintenance is a breeze with Aprilaire as well.  There are no messy tanks to empty and clean.  Simply clean the filter once a year and you're good to go.

Contact your local Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your whole-house dehumidifier today.  You'll immediately feel the difference.

Aprilaire - fresh ideas for indoor air.

This winter's unseasonably cold weather has caused all of us to spend a lot more time indoors  than we are used to.  The only time most of us have ventured outside has been to clear the  driveway of the piles of white stuff that every state except Hawaii has been blessed with.  This extra time indoors has led many of us to ponder the quality of air in our homes, qualities including dust, temperature, and, in particular, humidity.  Lack of proper levels of humidity are immediately apparent in dry, itchy skin, static shock, dry and cracked nasal passages, irritated throats and more.

Aprilaire is the solution for dry air
Aprilaire whole-house humidifiers provide soothing, humidified air to every room of your home.  It conveniently mounts to your home’s HVAC system, operating quietly, out of sight and out of mind.  Except for the dramatic increase in comfort and health, you'll never even know it's there.  Aprilaire humidifiers are also known for ease of maintenance.  There are no tanks to fill or clean.  Simply change the water panel evaporator once a year to keep your humidifier operating efficiently and trouble-free.

Contact your Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your whole-house humidifier today.  Your contractor can recommend the Aprilaire model that is right for you and also recommend other Aprilaire whole-house products that can improve your health and comfort.

Aprilaire - fresh ideas for indoor air.
 

Do you live in a small condo or townhome?  Are you tired of high humidity levels in your home?  Do you have a portable dehumidifier sitting in the middle of your home because you thought there was no whole-home solution?  Are you tired of the constant maintenance that portable dehumidifiers require?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, Aprilaire has your dehumidification solution.

The Aprilaire 1730A whole-house dehumidifier
The Aprilaire 1730A dehumidifier has a large 65 pint capacity. That's enough moisture removal power for a 3,600 square foot tight home.  Its compact size means that it can fit in spaces where others won't.  It also works in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to quietly and efficiently remove moisture from every room of your home, with only annual maintenance required.  And its Energy Star rating means you remove that moisture without blowing up your electric bill.

Call your Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your whole-house dehumidifier today.  Your dealer can also recommend other quality Aprilaire products that will improve the quality of the air in your home.

Aprilaire - Fresh ideas for indoor air! 
 

Single digit outdoor temps, twenty degrees here, forty degrees there.  The outdoor temperature has been fluctuating all over the place.  What does this mean to you?  Well, if you have a whole-house humidifier with a manual control, it probably means you turned your control down when it got really cold outside because condensation was pouring down your windows.  It probably also means you forgot to turn the control back up once it warmed back up outside.  Sound familiar?

Aprilaire automatic humidifier control to the rescue
The Aprilaire humidifier with premium digital control works in conjunction with an outdoor temperature sensor to automatically adjust your home’s indoor relative humidity (RH).  This automatic adjustment protects your home from moisture damage when the mercury dips, as well as providing the maximum comfort when the outdoor temperature comes back up.  We call it the "set it and forget it" control. 

Call your Aprilaire dealer and ask about a whole-house humidifier with premium digital control.  If you already have a whole-house humidifier, but have manual control, ask your dealer to upgrade you.  You'll be glad you did.

Aprilaire - providing you maximum comfort and protection, automatically, for over 50 years.
 

We received a question from Ancha:

"HI, I moved to a new house, my Aprilaire 760 humidifier works, but makes sound (I mean, when it works, the sound is really uncomfortable upstairs). Is it supposed to work like this?  I mean, I will buy a new unit and install, but are humidifiers supposed to make so much noise? Or can I fix this noise in the existing unit?  Thank you for reply"

Aprilaire response
The Model 760 is a fan-powered humidifier, meaning that there is an on-board fan that draws air across the evaporator water panel to achieve maximum humidification.  Fans do create sound, however, the sound is generally not audible over the blower of your HVAC system.  It can be noticeable if you have a variable speed HVAC blower, and you are operating on low speed while humidifying.  Even then, however, it should not be an "uncomfortable" sound. 

That said, it sounds like the fan motor in the humidifier may need some attention.  Please contact your local Aprilaire dealer, who can diagnose the problem and offer you the best solution.

Thank you for your question and thanks for choosing Aprilaire!
 

We received a question from Jinho regarding his Aprilaire humidifier: 

"Looking at the wiring, it appears the R - C and W/G - Cf wires go to the respective furnaces R - C(ommon) and Humm - C(ommon) connections.  Is there any way to wire it so that it comes on any time there are necessary relative humidity changes?"

Aprilaire response
The wiring configuration you have limits the humidifier to operating only during a heat call.  There are a couple of options your dealer can look at to increase your humidifier run time and corresponding level of relative humidity. 

One is to wire the control through the EAC terminals (if your furnace has them).  EAC terminals are 120V, requiring your dealer to wire through a transformer.  This would allow you to humidify any time the HVAC blower is operating.  So, if you wanted to humidify outside of a call for heat, you could flip your thermostat fan setting from "Auto" to "On" and the humidifier would operate, provided there is a call for humidity.
 

Another option is to install the Aprilaire Blower Activation Relay, part number 4851.  With this device installed, the HVAC blower is automatically activated on a call for humidity, with no thermostat interaction on your part.

Thank you for the question, Jinho, and thanks for choosing Aprilaire!

It's hard to believe with all the cold weather we've experienced this month that spring is less than two months away.  Soon, the furnace will stop running and we'll be in that waiting period before the air conditioning season begins.  This is the time when your home’s indoor relative humidity (RH) begins to rise and gets to levels that are not only uncomfortable, but could also be damaging to your home. 

Since dehumidification is a natural byproduct of air conditioning, you could turn on your air conditioner to remove this moisture.  But to do this, you must turn your thermostat down to levels that are too cold for comfort.  You could purchase a portable dehumidifier, but then you have to constantly empty and clean the tank.  And don't forget to turn up the  television, because you need to hear it over the sound the portable makes.  Bottom line, neither of these are good solutions to your moisture problems. 

Aprilaire is your whole-house solution
Aprilaire has a complete line of whole-house dehumidifiers that work in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to quietly and efficiently remove excess moisture from every room of your home.  Aprilaire is also user-friendly, with no tanks to empty and only annual maintenance required.  Not only will your home be a more comfortable place to live, but you will also prevent damage caused by mold, mildew, and more.

Call your Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your whole-house dehumidifier today.  You'll be glad you did.

Aprilaire - fresh ideas for indoor air.

With the recent cold snap, did you notice any condensation on your home's windows?  If you have either a portable humidifier or a whole-house humidifier with manual control, odds are you had water pouring off your windows when the mercury dipped way down.  This forced you to either turn down or turn off your humidifier to prevent damage that comes from this excess moisture.

Question - did you remember to turn your humidifier back on once the weather warmed back up?  Chances are you did not.  Maybe you did, but probably not until you began to suffer some or all the ailments that come with dry, winter air: stuffy nose, scratchy throat, and itchy skin, just to name a few.  What can you do to ensure your home is properly humidified, day after day, regardless of outdoor temperature?  The answer is simple - install an Aprilaire humidifier with premium digital control.

Automatic control is the key

The Aprilaire premium digital humidifier control works in conjunction with an outdoor temperature sensor, automatically raising and lowering the relative humidity (RH) in your home to achieve the optimal level of humidification.  This protects your home from the damage that can come from excess RH while still providing the comfort and health that comes from properly humidified air.  This "set it and forget it" feature means you'll never have the hassle of raising and lowering your control setting again.

Call your local Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your Aprilaire humidifier with premium control today.  If you already have a whole-house humidifier but do not have automatic control, ask your dealer about upgrading.  You'll be glad you did.

Aprilaire - Protecting you and your home, automatically, for over 50 years!

 

A question from E. Roth:
 
"Pls explain difference between model 600 and 700. Do they both work in same way and mount in same way? I currently have a kennmore 3000 mounted on plenum at supply side. It is wired into fan switch on furnace. Water supply valve not working properly and I can no longer get parts. My house is approx 4000 sq ft."

Aprilaire Answers
That's a great question.  The Kennmore 3000 is a reservoir-style humidifier.  A media wheel picks up water from the water tank, and this moisture is transferred from the wheel via air flow from your HVAC system.  This type of humidifier requires a lot of maintenance to prevent mold, mildew and other nasty things from growing in the tank and on the wheel and getting into your home’s air stream.

The Aprilaire 600 and 700 Series humidifiers utilize flow-through technology with no standing water.  This highly efficient method provides maximum evaporative performance and only requires annual maintenance. 

The 600 Series humidifier is a bypass humidifier, utilizing the pressure differential between the return and supply plenums to drive air through the water panel evaporator, where moisture is picked up and transferred throughout your home.  The 600 can be mounted on either the supply or return with equal effectiveness. 

The 700 Series is a fan-powered humidifier, utilizing an on-board fan to move the air across the water panel evaporator.  It is typically installed on the warm air supply.  The 600 Series is rated for a 4,000 square foot, tightly constructed home.  The 700 Series is rated for a 4,200 square foot, tightly constructed home.  Both are available with manual or premium digital control.  We recommend the premium digital control for maximum comfort and protection.  Your local Aprilaire dealer can recommend the right unit for you, based on your home’s needs and your current HVAC requirements.

Thank you for your questions and thank you for considering Aprilaire!
 

A very long question from Sam:

"Thank you for all of the information you are sharing. I have the Aprilaire humidifier, which works in conjunction with home’s heating system. It had been working for few years and recently a solenoid started to fail and would not ever shut the water off. It was detected that the Relay is bad and it was replaced. Under the normal configuration the humidifier’s solenoid should release the water whenever the HVAC’s blower starts. Well it does, while the humidity level is below the set value and then it interferes with the entire system. Here is what happening: 1. Set the Humidifier to 35%. The unit is installed with a Manual Mode. 2. Whenever HVAC air blower starts, I can hear the solenoid open and water flows into the humidifier. The solenoid shuts the flow as soon as the blower stops. So far as it should be. Problem starts in a few hours (and my guess is whenever the humidity level reaches the set value): 1. The HVAC furnace starts and I can see the gas burning inside the furnace for about a minute. 2. Then I can hear a signal/attempt (to start) to the blower. 3. This fails, the air blower does not start and then furnace stops too. 4. Within 2 seconds, it goes into the same cycle and this continues until (my guess again) the humidity level drops below the set value (35%). The HVAC thermostat upstairs always set to 68, but now shows 66. This is supposed to start the heating cycle, sends the signal to HVAC, it fails to start blower and so on. 5. I then turn off the Humidifier, power cycle the HVAC and everything back to normal. I tested this for few days now and results are consistent. No Humidifier – everything works fine. As soon as I turn it to 35% - within hours it does as described above. Any idea what could be wrong? Thank you."

Basically, Sam is wondering if his humidifier could be affecting the operation of his furnace.  The simple answer is no.  Aprilaire humidifiers detect the operation of the furnace or blower and will then operate if, and only if, humidification is required.  After Sam answered some additional questions, we determined he needed to contact his dealer to have his furnace repaired.

Thanks for the question, Sam, and thanks for buying Aprilaire!
 

Question from Rick:

"From what I read, it says to hook up to hot water? Is this for all installations or just the fix when not getting enough humidity using the blower activation relay? My solenoids fail after a couple years and will not flow. Appears there is a build up within the solenoid. Anything I can do to prevent this from happening?  EXPENSIVE replacement for every couple years."

Aprilaire Replies

Thanks for the question, Rick.  You need three things to humidify your home: water, air flow and heat.  Plumbing to hot water is not generally required if you are running your humidifier in conjunction with your furnace, as the air is typically 120 degrees or higher.  To give a little extra boost, we do recommend you plumb to hot water if you have a heat pump, which provides air temperatures of 90 to 100 degrees.  Also, plumbing to hot water is required if you are using the blower activation relay to operate the HVAC outside of a call for heat.  With no call for heat from your HVAC system, you need to heat the water to provide humidification.  As long as your installing dealer sized your humidifier correctly, any application will provide you with all the comfort and protection of proper humidification throughout your entire home.

As for your solenoid valve issues, certain water conditions can lead to a shortened life.  Plumbing to softened water can help lengthen the life of this device.  Another solution is to contact your plumber and ask about an in-line filter that captures any particles that may be causing the failures.

Thanks again for your question, Rick, and thanks for buying Aprilaire!

Did you know...mold is a four-letter word?  It can also lead to other four-letter words as you work to remove it and prevent it from occurring again.  Mold can also be dangerous, as it can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.  Complaints of flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory impairment, migraines, sick building syndrome, dizziness, and nosebleeds are also commonly associated with mold.  The question is, what can you do to prevent mold from occurring in your home?

Aprilaire helps in mold prevention
Mold thrives in dark, moist, warm locations.  As such, one of the keys to mold prevention is keeping your home dry.  Aprilaire whole-house dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from your entire house, preventing mold growth and protecting your family.  With several models to choose from, you can be assured that Aprilaire can meet your dehumidification requirements.


Call your Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your whole-house dehumidifier today.  Your family will thank you for it.

Aprilaire - protecting your family and home for over 50 years.
 

Did you know...the most common cause of frequent nosebleeds is dry air?  According to Dr. Ruben Mesa, hematologist at Mayo Clinic, dry air dries your nasal membranes and makes the lining of your nose more susceptible to bleeding.  Other medical conditions that may cause nosebleeds include: allergies, sinusitis, colds, and a deviated septum.

Aprilaire to the rescue
Fortunately, there is no need to suffer from the ill effects of dry air.  An Aprilaire whole-house humidifier adds soothing, protecting moisture to every room of your home, making your home a sanctuary from dry air.  In fact, keeping your house in the optimum relative humidity zone will also reduce or eliminate other harmful contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, mites, respiratory infections, and more.

Call your Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your whole-house humidifier today.  Your dealer can recommend the model that will work best in your home to ensure you get all the benefits of a properly humidified home.

Aprilaire - protecting you and your family for over 50 years!