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. 

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!
 

Ron asks:

I have a York heat pump with backup propane furnace. There is limited space in the furnace closet, what is the best Aprilaire to use?

That's a great question, Ron.  However, before recommending the right Aprilaire whole-house humidifier for you, we need some more information.  We first need to determine the humidification capacity required.  For this, we need to know the square footage and age of your home.  Also, do you have any devices that would leak a high amount of outside air such as a wood burning fireplace? Once we have determined the amount of humidity required, we can take a look at the limited space you have to mount the humidifier.

An Aprilaire bypass style humidifier can mount on either the supply or return plenum.  This comes in handy on installations where there is not much room on the supply due to all the pipes that go to and from the furnace.  You can usually find enough room on the supply to run and connect the 6 inch bypass duct.  If you absolutely do not have room on either duct, Aprilaire also offers the Models 350 and 360 humidifiers, which can be mounted in the wall or in the floor joists.

Your best option is to call your local Aprilaire dealer to take a look at your particular situation.  Your dealer will come to your home and provide an expert opinion and recommend the product and type of installation that will meet all your humidification needs.

Thanks for the question, Ron, and thanks for choosing Aprilaire.
 

A question from Perry in Chicago

"I have a question. I have an old Aprilaire humidifier attached to my home's furnace. There is a dial on it that says either dry (20 or lower) or moist, 40 or higher. So what does this mean? the label says relative humidity, but does that mean the relative humidity outside or inside my house? I live in chicago, and its 0 degrees today and my basement windows have so much moisture on them, that they have iced over! I had the RH dial set to DRY, or 25-30. Help!"

This is a great question, Perry.  From your description, it sounds like you have a manual humidifier control, which means you have to change the setting on your control as the temperature changes outside.  Your home can achieve a higher relative humidity (RH) when the outside temperature is higher without moisture forming on your windows.  However, when the outside temperature drops, like it recently did in the upper midwest, you will form moisture on your windows if you don't dial down the control.

Did you know....Marilyn vos Savant has been writing the popular "Ask Marilyn" column for PARADE since 1986.  Her column has elicited responses from elementary school level to post-graduate Ph.Ds.  She is the author of several books, as well as short stories and essays.

Marilyn explains how humidity affects comfort
In her December 6, 2009 column, Marilyn answers a question from Valerie in Riverton, Utah, who asks why she is not comfortable.

"My house has central heating and air-conditioning, and it’s well insulated. But if I set the thermostat to 72°F in the winter, I feel too cool. And if I set it to 72°F in the summer, I’m too warm. Shouldn’t I feel comfortable at that temperature in one of those seasons?"
—Valerie Sorensen, Riverton, Utah

Marilyn answers
"Not unless the relative humidity is right. When the air is dry, the same temperature feels cooler than it does when the air is moist. So if it’s 72°F and the air is dry (as in winter), many people feel too cool. But if the air is moist (as in summer), they feel too warm. This is why we often use humidifiers in winter and dehumidifiers in summer."

As usual, Marilyn is correct.  To achieve the optimal level of humidity in your home, call your local Aprilaire dealer who can recommend the whole-house product that will increase your comfort and protect your valuable possessions.  Call today.

Aprilaire - The number one choice for whole-house comfort!
 

Do you have trouble sleeping at night?  Do you feel cold and clammy, even though the temperature seems to be at the right level?  Do you have musty odors or smells in any areas of your home?  It could be that your home’s relative humidity (RH) is high.

Excess RH can cause all of the above and more.  The old saying "it's not the heat, it's the humidity" rings true in many ways.  Excess RH can cause discomfort, trigger health issues such as allergies and asthma, and cause severe damage to your home.  Experts in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) agree that maintaining your RH between 30% and 60% is optimal to control or eliminate problems associated with excess moisture in the home.  The question is, how can you do this?  The answer is, with a whole-house dehumidifier from Aprilaire.


Aprilaire is your whole-house solution
Unlike portable dehumidifiers that only remove moisture from the room they're in, Aprilaire works in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to efficiently remove moisture from every room of your home.  Maintenance is also a breeze with Aprilaire, as only periodic cleaning of the air filter is required.  No messy, heavy tanks to empty and clean on a daily basis, which is what you have to do with the portables.

Call your local Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your whole-house dehumidifier today.  Your dealer can help you choose the model that is right for your home and make it possible for you to sleep better tonight.

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

 

Did you know....Whole-house evaporative, or flow-through, humidifiers are designed to work in conjunction with your home’s heating system to provide controlled humidification throughout your entire home.  These humidifiers typically operate whenever your thermostat is calling for heat and your humidifier control indicates a need for humidification.  However, what if you live in a mild climate where there is not much call for heat, but your air is still dry?  You need a way for the humidifier to turn on your HVAC blower so you can be protected from all the ailments of dry air.

The Blower Activation Relay to the rescue
The Aprilaire Blower Activation Relay (part number 4851) is an easy to install device that enables you to turn on your HVAC blower on a call for humidity.  The installation of this device enables you to enjoy all the benefits of proper humidification regardless of a call for heat.  Your local Aprilaire dealer can install the Blower Activation Relay in a matter of minutes.  The only other requirement to get adequate capacity is to make sure the humidifier is plumbed to hot water. 

Call your Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your whole-house humidifier today.  And if you're concerned you do not get enough heating system run-time, ask about the Blower Activation Relay.  You'll be glad you did.

Aprilaire - Protecting you from dry air, with or without heat, for over 50 years!

 

As with most things that are good in life, excess of that thing can be bad for you.  For example, we need food to survive, but too much food can lead to excess weight and other negative health issues.  One boyfriend or girlfriend can be good, but two or more at the same time can lead to some serious problems.

The same goes for humidification.  Too much humidity can lead to musty smells, mold, mildew and other nasty things that can damage your health and your house.  However, proper levels of humidity can protect and preserve your home and possessions.  It can also protect you and your family from the ill effects of dry, itchy skin, cracked and irritated nasal passages, bacteria, viruses, and more.  So how do you achieve proper humidification?  You need to be in control.

Aprilaire puts you in control
A whole-house humidifier from Aprilaire with premium digital control puts you in control of your health, comfort, and protection.  Aprilaire works in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to add soothing, protecting moisture into every room of your home.  The premium digital control with set-it-and-forget-it technology keeps the humidity in your home at the optimum level for full comfort and protection. 

Call your Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your Aprilaire whole-house humidifier today.  He can recommend the humidifier that will best suit your needs and provide you with other Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) advice.

Aprilaire - putting you in control of your health and comfort for over 50 years!
 

Do you have high levels of moisture in your condominium or town-home, but don't like the fact that portable dehumidifiers are noisy and an eyesore?  Not to mention the pain-in-the- back hassle of emptying the tank every day.  If so, Aprilaire has the whole-house solution for you.

Compact size makes dehumidification easy
The Aprilaire Model 1730A dehumidifier is the solution to whole-house dehumidification in smaller homes and condominiums.  Its compact size allows for easy installation in smaller equipment closets where standard-sized units won't fit.  It works in conjunction with your HVAC system, quietly removing damaging moisture from every room in your home.  Maintenance is a breeze; all you have to do is clean or replace the air filter on an annual basis.  There are no messy tanks to empty and clean, no stress on your back, and no hassles.

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

Aprilaire - fresh ideas for indoor air.
 

Question from Jim Brockway

"At 68 degrees in home, my humidity is 25.  Is that OK?"

Excellent question, Jim.  The answer is...it depends.  The critical temperature is not the temperature inside your home, but the temperature outside your home.  Have I confused you yet?  Let me explain.

The proper level of indoor relative humidity (RH) is a moving target based mainly on the outdoor temperature.  The lower the outdoor temperature, the lower your indoor RH% should be.  This is to prevent condensation from forming on your windows and in your walls.  An example would be a glass of your favorite beverage with and without ice in it.  Without ice, the beverage is warmer and the outside of your glass stays dry.  When you add ice to chill it, the outside surface of the glass is cold and begins to sweat.  Unless you have a coaster, you get water all over the surface it's sitting on, which can ruin it. 

Proper indoor RH is no different.  An Aprilaire whole-house humidifier with premium digital control utilizes an outdoor temperature sensor to continually adjust your indoor RH, providing maximum comfort and protection 24/7. 

Now, to answer your question, 25% indoor RH is about perfect when your outdoor temperature is at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.  That's pretty cold.  At 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you should be around 35%, and at 40 degrees or higher, you should be at 45% indoor RH.  I'm going to guess that your outdoor temperature is not zero and that you are in dire need of humidification.  Please contact your local Aprilaire dealer and schedule the installation of your Aprilaire humidifier with premium digital control today.

Thanks for the question, Jim. 
 

It's November 11, 2009 and....what's up with this weather?  We are experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures and an excessive amount of rain in WI which has led to high levels of indoor relative humidity (RH).  And although it's warm for the season, it's not warm enough  for air conditioning, which means your indoor RH can make you uncomfortable and lead to other problems such as mold or mildew.

Aprilaire has your whole-house solution
Aprilaire is a leading manufacturer of whole-house dehumidifiers.  They work in conjunction with your home's HVAC system to remove excess moisture from every room of your home.  Aprilaire also puts you in control of your indoor RH.  Our dehumidifiers operate to the level of RH that you dial in, ensuring your comfort and protection year-round, regardless of the temperature.

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

Aprilaire - fresh ideas for indoor air.

Would you like whole-house humidification but concerned about the water usage of the typical flow-through style unit or the electrical consumption of a steam humidifier?  You're not alone.  In fact, these days, more people than ever are making "greener" choices in the interest of preserving our precious natural resources.

Aprilaire has the best of both worlds
The Aprilaire Model 400 humidifier with premium digital control is your green solution to whole-house humidification.  It utilizes patented technology that evaporates 100% of the water that goes into it, providing soothing humidification to every room of your home.  And the electrical consumption is so small you'll never even notice it on your electric bill.

Your local Aprilaire dealer can answer all your questions and provide the best humidification option for your particular needs.  Call and schedule the installation of your Aprilaire humidifier today and enjoy all the health and comfort benefits that come with whole-house humidification.

Aprilaire - Your green choice for whole-house comfort!
 

It's November 5, 2009....Do you know what your indoor relative humidity (RH) level is?  If you own an Aprilaire humidifier with automatic digital control, you do.

Heated air is dry air
It's a fact that the air in your home dries out when your heat comes on with the cold winter
season.  This brings on all the ailments associated with dry air: annoying shocks from
static electricity, dry, itchy skin, feeling "too cold" despite normal thermostat settings,
irritated sinuses, sore throats, and more.  These symptoms cause unneeded suffering and
leave you miserable.  This is no way to live.

A whole-house humidifier from Aprilaire with automatic digital control is your solution to dry air.  It works in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to add soothing moisture to every room of your home.  And the digital control confirms the RH% in your home, giving you peace of mind that Aprilaire is on the job, protecting you and your family from the devastating effects of dry air.

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

Aprilaire - Protecting your family from dry air for over 50 years!
 

You know you need a humidifier.  You understand all the benefits that come with properly humidified air: health, comfort, protection of assets, and energy savings.  Now comes the tricky part; which humidifier do you buy?

Answer these three questions before you purchase
There are three simple questions you need to ask yourself to determine which humidifier is best for you:

1) Is noise important?
2) Do you have children?
3) How much humidification do you require?

We covered items one and two in our last blogs.  Let's finish up with number three today by asking how much humidification do you require.  Or, put another way, how many rooms do you have and how big are they?

Your house has more than one room
Unless you live in a one-room efficiency, you probably have 2-3 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and more.  It would take one portable humidifier for every room in your home to adequately increase your comfort and protect your valuable possessions.  That's five or more units to fill and clean every day.  And, have the remote control for your TV handy as you'll have to crank up the volume to get over all the noise.

A whole-house humidifier from Aprilaire is your best solution.  It works in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system to add soothing, protecting moisture to every room in your home.  It operates quietly and efficiently, with only annual maintenance required: no tanks to fill and clean, no noise, no hassles.

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

Aprilaire - providing all the humidification you need for over 50 years!
 

You know you need a humidifier.  You understand all the benefits that come with properly humidified air: health, comfort, protection of assets, and energy savings.  Now comes the tricky part; which humidifier do you buy?

Answer these three questions before you purchase
There are three simple questions you need to ask yourself to determine which humidifier is best for you:

1) Is noise important?
2) Do you have children?
3) How much humidification do you require?

In my last blog we explored question number one.  Today, let's look at number two.  Why do we ask that?  The answer is easy; safety.  Warm mist humidifiers use a heating element to heat the water and can have very hot surfaces.  These portable humidifiers sit out in the open in your home where your children can touch them.  OUCH!

Aprilaire has your safety solution.  A whole-house humidifier from Aprilaire works in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system, out of sight and out of reach of your curious little ones.  And, unlike portable humidifiers that add moisture to only one room at a time, Aprilaire distributes soothing moisture throughout your entire home, protecting your family members from dry air no matter what room they're in.

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

Aprilaire - protecting your family for over 50 years!
 

Comment from Denise
It's time for me to replace the filters on my Aprilaire humidifiers.  Please contact me with information on how to do that.  Thank you.

Hi Denise,
The filters you refer to are called water panel evaporators and they are the heart of an Aprilaire humidifier.  This is where the moisture is picked up by the air in your heating system, and from there is distributed throughout your home.  To maintain optimum humidifier performance, it is recommended that you change this item on an annual basis.

The best way to have your humidifier properly serviced is by your local Aprilaire dealer.  Your local dealer will have the expertise to not only change out the water panel evaporator, but also to check other critical aspects of the humidifier to ensure it performs properly this upcoming heating season. 

If you feel you can do it yourself, you can still purchase the water panel evaporator over
the counter from your local Aprilaire dealer.  If you don't have a dealer, you can purchase from the Aprilaire e-store.  All orders ship out same day for your convenience.

Thank you for your inquiry, Denise.  And thank you for supporting Aprilaire.

 

Do you lower your thermostat to the point where you are uncomfortably cold just so you can remove excess humidity from your home?  Are you tired of feeling cold and clammy, tired of wearing a sweater in your home in the summertime?  Did you know there is a whole-house solution that not only removes moisture from your home, but allows you to raise your thermostat setting so you can once again call your home a comfortable place to live?

Aprilaire has your moisture removal solution
A whole-house dehumidifier from Aprilaire works in conjunction with your home's HVAC system to remove excess humidity from your home.  And, unlike an air conditioner that controls to temperature, an Aprilaire dehumidifier is controlled by a dehumidistat that constantly measures the relative humidity (RH) in your home and controls the moisture level to the setpoint that you determine.

What does that mean to you?  First of all, your home and other valuable assets are protected from the damage of mold and other moisture-related problems.  Second, you can tuck away your sweater and live in comfort once again because your home will be a more comfortable place to live.  However, be prepared to host more parties, because once your friends and neighbors have experienced your most comfortable environment, you'll have the most popular house on the block.

Aprilaire - making homes more comfortable for over 50 years.