Owning a humidifier becomes a necessity in areas where humidity levels are low, either seasonally, or around the year. It makes sense to have a smaller unit for smaller spaces, such as your closets, baby’s nursery, small bedrooms, and storage spaces, etc. But for homeowners, a whole-house humidifier seems like a good option.
A whole-house humidifier is capable of humidifying larger areas, and preferably, the entire house. Whole-house humidifiers with varying capacities are available, and you can locate the ideal humidifier for your home, with a little bit of research.
So, if you’re looking for a whole-house humidifier, this is what you need to keep in mind.
- First off, you need to decide which type of whole-house humidifier you need. For example, there are Bypass (Furnace) humidifiers, Fan- powered humidifiers, as well as steam humidifiers that you can choose for your home. You should assess your needs before settling on which type to buy.
- You should always from trusted manufacturers to ensure that you are getting a quality product. You cannot expect the same quality of operation from an unknown manufacturer.
- Make sure to check the specifications of the humidifier you’re trying to acquire. Not every whole house humidifier can cover equal areas.
- You can look for special features like automatic function, digital controls, various indicators and sensors, durable material, etc. as well.
- The ease of installation and maintenance is something that you can look into as well.
These are some of the things that you can keep in mind while looking for the perfect whole house humidifier for your home.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing one of the best whole house humidifiers available in the market. It is a Furnace humidifier from Aprilaire, which is capable of humidifying larger areas and is a popular choice amongst homeowners.
So, without further ado, let’s begin!
Aprilaire 400 Whole House Humidifier
Aprilaire is a well-known name in the industry. They have many of the top units in the market. Aprilaire 400 is also another one of these units and has been a bestseller for years. Aprilaire does have a lot of other great models, but for people looking for furnace humidifier, this unit is a good option.
The unit can cover a large area, and you can depend on the quality output of this unit. It is also an efficient unit and works like charms with just the input of your desired humidity level. Install it, turn it on, set it, and the rest, you can leave up to it to handle.
Now, let’s have a look at some of the most notable features and specifications of this unit.
Features
Efficient Design
It is a whole house dehumidifier, and can effectively humidify up to four thousand square feet. It is a bypass in- duct humidifier and works by working with your existing heating, ventilation, and cooling system (HVAC) and ductwork. Using your HVAC system, it circulates humidified air throughout the house with ease. It creates moisture by the process of evaporation, and the entirety of water is used by the humidifier to increase the humidity.
The unit adds up to seventeen gallons of moisture into the air, which can cover even the driest areas.
Automatic mode
The digital humidifier controls give the users two modes of operation to choose from, and these are automatic and manual.
Using the automatic mode, you can enjoy the optimal amount of humidity. You don’t need to worry about manually adjusting the controls again and again. With only a few simple adjustments, you can forget about the changing temperature, and enjoy the best of humidity output for a long time.
It happens as the humidifier’s controller is triggered, the water automatically flows into the distribution tray (Located at the humidifier’s top area) from the connected line. The evaporator evaporates the evenly distributed water, and the resulting moisture mixes with the incoming dry air, which then enters the house.
Indicators
- You always know when your humidifier is working fine, and when there’s a need for some interference.
- If you can see the green light, that means that the humidifier is operating normally and there’s no reason for concern.
- If the yellow light is on, it is an indicator that it is time for you to change the Water Panel of the humidifier.
- In case the red light comes on, the humidifier is not operating normally, and you need to get it serviced.
- Always pay attention to these signs, and don’t wait if your humidifier needs service.
Water-efficient
It is a water-efficient unit, and it saves a lot of water with its efficient working. It is an ideal unit for homes with septic systems, for install locations where no suitable drain is available, and the owners have to watch their water usage.
Thanks to its drain less operation, the unit uses very little water, and the owners don’t have to worry about standing water. It is capable of evaporating the whole of water and introducing it to the system. There’s no stagnant water left behind to cause any health-related issues, and the produced moisture is always fresh and pure.
So, thanks to the unique evaporation process, the unit can save a lot of water and eliminates the need for a drain.
Installation
The installation of the unit is made easy with the installation instructions and template that comes with the box. You can undertake the installation yourself, as everything you might need comes with the box. The box contains Installation instructions and template, humidifier with built-in bypass damper, 24 VAC transformer, automatic digital humidifier control with the sensor, outdoor temperature sensor, saddle valve, solenoid valve, and Model # 45 Water Panels.
With easy to understand instructions, it’s not very hard to put all these elements together. However, since it is a crucial procedure, if you’re not sure, you should contact a professional for the task.
Specifications
- The unit weighs 9.25 Pounds.
- Its overall dimensions are 10.2 x 15.4 x 15.8 inches.
- It is an ideal option for areas up to 4000 Square feet.
- It can add up to 1 Gallon of moisture to your home every day.
Let’s sum it up with a pros and cons list.
PROS
- The unit can cover larger areas (up to 4000 Square feet).
- The capacity of this unit is also impressive (17 Gallons per day).
- The unique evaporative process saves a lot of water. ‘
- There is no need for a drain.
- It is an automatic humidifier with dual sensors to monitor and respond to both outdoor temperature and indoor relative humidity.
- You don’t have to worry much about the maintenance.
CONS
- Installation can be a little tricky.
Why Buy this Unit
It is a whole-house humidifier that will save you water, and with biannual maintenance, it is also easy to maintain. It is a bypass humidifier with unique evaporative functioning that ensures fresh air and moisture.
Maintenance
The maintenance of the unit is quite easy. Here are a few things you should keep in mind.
- Always keep fireplace dampers closed when they’re not in use. They provide an excellent escape route for heat, as well as humidity.
- When the change water panel indicator light (Digital Control only) comes on, you can tell that it’s time to call a professional.
- The water evaporator needs to be changed twice per heating season.
- If there are any other serious issues with the humidifier that you cannot grasp, you should contact a professional.
Final Word
Aprilaire 400 whole house humidifier is an ideal option for homeowners who are looking for an automatic bypass humidifier with an efficient operation. It provides acceptable output for its price. This unit not only saves water, but it also doesn’t leave any stagnant water in the dehumidifier so that the output always pure and fresh.
FAQ’s
Q – Is the bypass damper of the unit automatic?
A – No, it is not. You have to manually open and close it.
Q – How can I install the unit?
A – The box contains an installation instructions pamphlet, which you can use to understand the installation process. You can also watch clips on YouTube to get a better understanding. If it’s still not clear, you can contact a professional.
Q – Does this unit require a drain?
A –No, the unit does not require a drain.
Q – When do I need to change the water panel?
A – Usually, the water panel evaporator of the unit needs to be changed twice every heating season. The change water panel light will come on when it’s time to change it.
Q – What things come with the box?
A – The box contains Installation instructions and template, humidifier with built-in bypass damper, 24 VAC transformer, automatic digital humidifier control with the sensor, outdoor temperature sensor, saddle valve, solenoid valve, and Model # 45 Water Panels.