Consumer question:
We have an Aprilaire 760 humidifier installed on the return side of our furnace, connected to the cold water line, and the units leak water from the front edge of the unit. The HVAC tech says it is condensation build up on the water panel dripping down. Thoughts?
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting Aprilaire.
This does not sound like condensation. Actually, you should not have condensation in your humidifier.
Leaking is caused by a few different things... You will want to make sure that the water panel is not leaning forward, back, left or right. Also, make sure that the distribution tray at the top, (where the water is dropped into) make sure that there still is a gritty/sandy coating in there. If the tray is smooth where the water builds up before going into the 'collar' type holes, all the water will go into the first hole or two it comes to and will not be evenly distributed. When this happens, the water panel is not able to handle that amount of water and will go over the sides of the scale control insert and leak.
The last thing to check is if there is an orifice correctly in place. Then check to make sure that it has not been stretched out.
To check proper water flow through orifice, you would pull out the water feed tube, and have the water go into a 32 oz jar. That jar should fill in two and half minutes. If it fills way faster than that, you have too much water going in that it can not handle, and will leak out. The fix for that would be a new orifice.
You may check these things or give us a call Monday thru Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm central time.
We have an Aprilaire 760 humidifier installed on the return side of our furnace, connected to the cold water line, and the units leak water from the front edge of the unit. The HVAC tech says it is condensation build up on the water panel dripping down. Thoughts?
Aprilaires' response:
Thank you for contacting Aprilaire.
This does not sound like condensation. Actually, you should not have condensation in your humidifier.
Leaking is caused by a few different things... You will want to make sure that the water panel is not leaning forward, back, left or right. Also, make sure that the distribution tray at the top, (where the water is dropped into) make sure that there still is a gritty/sandy coating in there. If the tray is smooth where the water builds up before going into the 'collar' type holes, all the water will go into the first hole or two it comes to and will not be evenly distributed. When this happens, the water panel is not able to handle that amount of water and will go over the sides of the scale control insert and leak.
The last thing to check is if there is an orifice correctly in place. Then check to make sure that it has not been stretched out.
To check proper water flow through orifice, you would pull out the water feed tube, and have the water go into a 32 oz jar. That jar should fill in two and half minutes. If it fills way faster than that, you have too much water going in that it can not handle, and will leak out. The fix for that would be a new orifice.
You may check these things or give us a call Monday thru Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm central time.
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First, check to see if the Aprilaire humidifier is draining properly. If it is clogged or restricted the water can back up into the model 550. Next, check the drain connection. Is the hose old and no longer flexible. This could also lead to some leaking. You can also clean the plastic parts double checking for any cracks. After these steps, if you do not find a cause, it is time to get a hold of your HVAC Specialist.
1. Position Of Unit On Plenum-
• Is the unit level (left to right)? Call a contractor to address this problem.
• Is it plumb (front to back)? Call a contractor to address this problem.
2. Feed Tube-
• Is the Feed Tube tightened or is there a crack in the tube? Replace the tube.
• Is the Nozzle snapped into position above the distribution tray? Is it pointing down so that water cannot “spray” to the front or back of the water panel assembly?
• There is a test that can be done with a paper towel. Wrap the tube with the towel and run the humidifier for 1 minute. Look at the towel again and see if it has gotten wet, and if so, where? This should identify leaks in the tube.
3. Position Of Scale control insert-
• Is the base of the scale control insert sitting firmly in the drain spud at the base of the housing? If not, adjust the position of the scale control insert.
• Does the bottom of the scale control insert have a taper to it to direct water to the drain spud?
• Is the Scale control insert positioned correctly? The scale control insert has a front and a back. The back of the water distribution tray has an indentation in it to allow for clearance of the nozzle, which is attached to the top of the base. If reversed, and forced into place, the water distribution tray will break off the nozzle attached to the water feed tube and potentially the housing, causing water to leak
4. Water Panel Assembly-
• Are there aluminum strands hanging out of the scale control insert? Replace the water panel.
• Is there a gap between the top of the water panel and the water distribution tray for air to go through? Shim the bottom corners of the water panel in the scale control insert to raise the panel closer to the distribution tray.
• Is the colored dot on the water panel, up? Reposition the water panel with colored marker at the top.
• Is there a consistent coating on the Water panel, or are there shinny spots or clumps of coating? Replace the water panel.
5. Water Entrainment (Water Blowing out of the Humidifier)-
• Are there signs of entrainment? Mineral build-up on fan blade, shroud, inside of cover?
• Is the static pressure in the plenum over .4”w.c.? If so, entrainment and leaking could occur. Call a contractor to address this problem.
• Are there supply vents in your home that have been closed or blocked? If so, this could increase the static pressure on the other ducts in your home, including the humidifier. Open any closed vents until the pressure drops sufficiently to stop the leaking humidifier.
6. Missing Orifice-
• If there is no orifice in the unit, the water entering the system could flood the panel. To check for proper water flow, a quart jar should fill at the fill line in about 2 ½ minutes for a red or blue orifice, 5 minutes for a white orifice.
7. Drain line-
• Is the drain line plugged? Flush or replace drain line.
• Does it have a good downward slope? Correct the slope for continuous downward flow.
• Is it “tee’d” with any other drain lines? Check the drain line for blockage and flush or replace those lines.
• Is the drain tube held in place by a hose clamp? Hose clamps are not recommended as they can crush the plastic drain spud. The drain tube should have an inside diameter of ½” and fit snugly without the need for a clamp. If the end of the drain line has become rigid, brittle, or cracked, cut a few inches off of that end to use a more pliable part of the tube, or replace the tube entirely. If the drain spud has cracked on an almond or gray colored unit, the base of the humidifier will need to be replaced. If the drain spud has cracked on a black unit, replace the drain spud.
• Does the drain line go into a condensate pump? Is the leak occurring at the pump? Troubleshoot the leaking pump with the pump’s manufacturer or call a contractor to address this problem.
8. Water Distribution Tray-
• Is the granular coating missing in places or entirely? Older trays had a ground pumice coating lining the inside to break up the surface tension of the water flowing into it. Newer trays use a synthetic fabric pad instead of the granular coating. If a tray has neither the coating nor the pad, replace the distribution tray.
• Are there water stains on the underside of the tray between the holes and the edge? Clean the underside of the tray. Carefully remove the mineral deposits.
• Is the plastic brittle or cracked in places? Replace the distribution tray.
What can I do to resolve these leaks?