Aprilaire Model 700 Humidifier
The Aprilaire Model 700 Humidifier is a whole-home solution that helps you achieve total comfort through humidity control. The Model 700 uses a built-in fan that pulls heated air directly from the furnace.
Features
Delivers optimum levels of humidity control with the Automatic Digital Humidifier Control. You never have to monitor your settings or wait until you feel uncomfortable.
Provides vital service, temperature and relative humidity indicators in manual mode as well.
Performs quietly with simple annual maintenance.
Protect Your Family From Overly Dry Air
When you use the Aprilaire Model 700 Humidifier, you eliminate the unhealthy and damaging effects of overly dry air on your family and home. Find a dealer near you to decide if the Model 700 is right for you based on your home’s size, age and construction. Or get replacement parts for your existing Model 700 here.
The Aprilaire Model 700 Humidifier is a large-capacity powered unit with big humidification performance to match the biggest of homes. The Model 700:
Has an evaporation capacity of 0.75 gallons per hour—among the highest capacity humidifiers sold
Humidifies tightly constructed homes up to 4,200 square foot in size
Features truly automatic control
FAQs
Will mold grow inside my Aprilaire Humidifier?
In order for microbial growth to occur three conditions must exist: There must be an organic food source for the microbes, the temperature must be in a certain range (different molds grow at different temperatures), and water must be present for an extended period of time. These conditions can exist in some types of humidifiers, but Aprilaire evaporative humidifiers are designed to prevent microbial growth. None of the materials in Aprilaire humidifiers provide a food source. Even the paper Water Panel in Model 400 is treated with an anti-microbial agent. Most significantly however, the drain-through technology in Aprilaire evaporative humidifiers leaves no standing water once the humidifier turns off. All the water delivered to an Aprilaire evaporative humidifier is either evaporated or goes down the drain, leaving all surfaces dry between humidification cycles.
What is the warranty for my Aprilaire humidifier?
Aprilaire humidifiers carry a 5-year limited warranty on parts from the date of installation, when installed by a licensed HVAC installer. If not, the warranty is void.
How do I know when my Aprilaire bypass humidifier is operating?
If the humidity in your home is 45% or higher your Aprilaire humidifier will not run. This is because the highest humidity level our humidifiers will attempt to attain. If you turn your humidistat from 15% to 45% and the humidifier does not run this is verification the humidity in your home is above 45%. Once the humidity level drops below 45% your Aprilaire humidifier should operate anytime the furnace is producing heat and the indoor relative humidity is less than the humidification set point on your humidistat. If not, we recommend contacting your installing contractor to troubleshoot the humidifier at your home.
What kind of humidifier is the Aprilaire humidifier?
Aprilaire humidifiers take water from a liquid and turn it into a water vapor. The water vapor is added whenever the humidity level in the home is lower than the desired level and the HVAC system fan is moving air. Aprilaire humidifier’s are designed to maintain a relative humidity level of 35% anytime the outside temperature is 20F or above at an indoor temperature of 70F. If your HVAC heating system has a short run time for a heat call, this will result in a short run time for the humidifier and may result in not reaching the desired humidity set point. Whenever there is a need to add humidity to your home, the humidifier control will send a signal to the humidifier to operate. Water is introduced into the humidifier and flows over the Water Panel® evaporator. The air moving through the HVAC system moves through the Water Panel® evaporator absorbing the moisture into the air. The vapor is then distributed to your home, through the duct work by the blower of the HVAC system. The humidifying process continues until the humidification set point is reached or the HVAC system stops operating. Water not used in the evaporation process is used to flush away mineral deposits left behind from the evaporation process down the drain. The only models where deposits are not flushed down the drain are the models 400 and 400M as they are drain less humidifiers. Most Aprilaire evaporative humidifiers are wired by the HVAC installer to only operate when the heat is operating. If the humidifier is supplied with hot water, the humidifier can be wired to operate on an HVAC fan call. The fan call is initiated by the thermostat which includes a switch to run the HVAC system fan continuously. This fan call can be turned off once the desired humidification level has been reached.
What is the proper relative humidity to have in my home during the winter?
Aprilaire like any other humidifier manufacturer designs our humidifiers to maintain an indoor relative humidity of 35% at an indoor temperature of 70F, anytime the outdoor temperature is 20F or above. Some homes may be able to attain a higher indoor humidity , however, factors such as the age, cubic footage (square footage times ceiling height) and tightness of the home, as well as the operating time of the HVAC heating system will affect the actual level achieved. Humidifiers require heat, water and air movement in order to add moisture to the air. Moisture in the form of vapor is added whenever the humidity level in the home is lower than the desired level and the HVAC system fan is moving air. If your HVAC system has a short run time for a heat call, this will result in a short run time for the humidifier and may result in not reaching the desired humidity set point.
Will an Aprilaire Humidifier cause mold in my home?
Aprilaire Humidifiers are designed to accurately control the level of humidity in the home. This is accomplished by the use of an outdoor temperature sensor that continuously communicates with a computer equipped control. In conjunction with a precision humidity sensor which samples the air coming back to your furnace, the Aprilaire Automatic Digital Humidifier Control responds immediately to changing outdoor conditions. Remember, it’s just as important to shut the humidifier down when the humidity control reaches its set point as it is to deliver even more comforting humidity to the home when it’s warmer outside. The Models 400, 500, 600, and 700 come with this automatic digital humidifier control which allows the humidifier to deliver the optimum amount of humidity based on the current outdoor conditions. This will typically range from 20% on a really cold day to as much as 45% when it’s warmer outside. This is of importance because industry data shows that mold does not grow in humidity levels below 60%. The bottom line is no Aprilaire humidifier will contribute to the growth of mold, when installed, operated, and maintained as recommended.
What causes condensation on my windows and how can I eliminate it?
Cold air outside your window cools the air just inside your window more than the air in the rest of the room. If the well-humidified air just inside the window cools too much or too quickly, it can’t hold as much moisture as before and water appears on the window. To eliminate this, follow the suggested settings on your manual humidistat and adjust the setting in the morning for the anticipated night time low temperature. Another option is to upgrade your manual humidistat to an automatic digital humidifier control (model 60), which always maintains proper level of humidity with minimal or no adjustment required by the homeowner. To obtain a model 60 please contact your heating and cooling contractor. If you need the name of a local dealer, please use the Dealer Locator on our website.
Will an Aprilaire humidifier harm my heating and cooling system or air cleaner?
Aprilaire humidifiers are an evaporative-style humidifier. Unlike misting or atomizing humidifiers which put water droplets into the air stream, Aprilaire humidifiers use a natural evaporation process to generate humidity. The humidity created is a gas which simply passes through any component in the heating and cooling system or any air cleaner including an Aprilaire air cleaner with no adverse effects. The humidity created by your Aprilaire humidifier is no different than the humidity present in your home during the summer months.
Can I purchase an Aprilaire Humidifier at a retail outlet?
No. Aprilaire products are sold through licensed heating and cooling contractors as they are best suited to help you choose the right unit, install it correctly and handle any warranty situations in the unlikely event one would occur. If you need the name of a local dealer, please use the Dealer Locator on our website.
What will it cost to install an Aprilaire Humidifier in my home?
The cost of every Aprilaire Humidifier installation varies based on your specific application. It is recommended you secure competitive bids and choose the contractor you believe best meets your needs.
Why does Aprilaire offer an automatic and a manual humidifier control for the Aprilaire humidifiers?
As the #1 manufacturer of humidifiers in the country, Aprilaire feels it is important to offer a humidifier control option for all applications. The automatic digital humidifier control is the top of the line when it comes to technology. An outdoor temperature sensor continuously reports changes in the outdoor temperature to the automatic digital humidifier control located on the cold air return duct. The automatic digital humidifier control uses this information to determine if the home requires additional humidity, to ensure the optimum humidification level is maintained. However, we realize there are some applications where it is impractical or impossible to run an outdoor temperature sensor to the outside. This is why we provide a high quality manual humidifier control for such applications. The automatic digital humidifier control also includes the option of operating in manual mode. Manual operation requires the homeowner to manually adjust the humidity level on the humidifier control as the outdoor temperature changes. Having these options allows flexibility to meet every customer’s humidification needs.
Can an Aprilaire humidifier operate in automatic mode without the outdoor temperature sensor?
No. The outdoor temperature sensor is what allows your Aprilaire humidifier to be an automatic humidifier. If the automatic digital humidifier control is installed and is operating in the automatic mode (as referenced by the faceplate on the automatic digital humidifier control) the outdoor sensor is required for proper operation. The outdoor temperature sensor continuously reports changes in the outdoor temperature to the automatic digital humidifier control located on the cold air return duct. The automatic digital humidifier control uses this information to determine if the home requires additional humidity, to ensure the optimum humidification level is maintained.
Can my Aprilaire Humidifier be upgraded to operate automatically?
Any Aprilaire furnace mount humidifier can be upgraded to an automatic humidifier by installing an Aprilaire automatic digital humidifier control with the outdoor temperature sensor. It is the control which upgrades the humidifier to an automatic humidifier. The model number for the control to use with our Aprilaire evaporative humidifiers is the model 60. The model number for the control to use with our Aprilaire steam humidifier is the model 62. The outdoor temperature sensor continuously reports changes in the outdoor temperature to the automatic digital humidifier control located on the cold air return duct. The automatic digital humidifier control uses this information to determine if the home requires additional humidity, to ensure the optimum humidification level is maintained. You will receive up to 50% more humidity compared to a manual humidistat which will increase your home’s comfort. Your Aprilaire Dealer can install this component so you can enjoy fully automatic operation—just set it and forget it!
Which Aprilaire humidifier should we purchase for our home?
There frequently are several different Aprilaire models which will adequately humidify your home. The most qualified person to help you decide which Aprilaire humidifier model will best fit your needs is your local heating and cooling contractor. They can recommend and install the best Aprilaire humidifier for your home based on its size, age and construction.
How do I determine the Aprilaire humidifier model to interface with my HVAC system while properly humidifying my home?
There are several Aprilaire Humidifiers which will effectively humidify a home. Factors to consider are the age, cubic footage (square footage times ceiling height) and tightness of the home, as well as the operating time and size of the duct work of the HVAC heating system. Humidifiers require heat, water and air movement in order to add moisture to the air. Moisture in the form of vapor is added whenever the humidity level in the home is lower than the desired level and the HVAC system fan is moving air. If your HVAC system has a short run time for a heat call, this will result in a short run time for the humidifier and may result in not reaching the desired humidity set point. While your heating and cooling contractor is the best one to determine which of our models would be best for your home, the chart below is a guideline for how many gallons per day a home requires.
What Aprilaire humidifier should I chose for my horizontal HVAC system?
The Aprilaire humidifier’s which we recommend for a horizontal HVAC system are the bypass model humidifiers; 400, 400M, 500, 500M, 600, 600M or the model 800 steam humidifier. The Aprilaire power humidifier, model 700 or 700M will not work properly on a horizontal heating system. Because of how the air moves through the power humidifier, the evaporative capacity of the model 700 or 700M is reduced from 18 gallons per day, to 9 gallons per day. The exact humidifier required will be based on the age, cubic footage (square footage times ceiling height) and tightness of the home, as well as the operating time and size of the duct work of the HVAC heating system. Humidifiers require heat, water and air movement in order to add moisture to the air. Moisture in the form of vapor is added whenever the humidity level in the home is lower than the desired level and the HVAC system fan is moving air. If your HVAC system has a short run time for a heat call, this will result in a short run time for the humidifier and may result in not reaching the desired humidity set point. While your heating and cooling contractor is the best one to determine which of our models would be best for your home, the chart below is a guideline for how many gallons per day a home requires.
Why would one dealer recommend one Aprilaire humidifier while another dealer recommends a different Aprilaire model?
There frequently are several different models which will adequately humidify a home. Typically dealers will install an Aprilaire humidifier they are comfortable with, have recommended to their customers for some time, and meet the technical requirements for humidification in your home. Bottom line, choose the dealer you are comfortable with; they know your heating and cooling system and can recommend an appropriate Aprilaire Humidifier.
My dealer is recommending an Aprilaire humidifier model not listed on your site. Is the model out-of-date?
Periodically, we add features or refine some aspects of our Aprilaire humidifiers. When this happens, we modify the model number or introduce a new model number. Models not listed in the main product sections on this site, but still offered by dealers, have very likely been recently discontinued. These are still modern, high-performing Aprilaire humidifiers which will effectively humidify a home. Your heating and cooling dealer is the expert in recommending the best model Aprilaire humidifier for your home and its unique needs. The bottom line is when you purchase an Aprilaire Humidifier; you are buying the finest whole-house humidifier available today.
Listed below is a description of current Aprilaire Humidifier models and the models they replaced.
Should my Aprilaire bypass humidifier be installed on the supply plenum or the return air duct?
Aprilaire bypass humidifier’s get there air movement through the Water Panel® by the differential pressure between the supply (hot air) plenum and the return (cold air) duct. The supply plenum is under positive pressure and the return duct is under negative pressure. One of the advantages of a bypass humidifier is that it can be installed either on the supply plenum or on the return duct with equal effectiveness. No matter which duct the humidifier is mounted on, the airflow always goes from the supply to the return through the humidifier. A bypass humidifier will also have no adverse effect on any component in the furnace, air cleaner or filter. Aprilaire® Humidifiers put “water vapor” into the air, not raw water. This is nature’s way of getting relative humidity into the air.
Should my Aprilaire power humidifier be installed on the supply plenum or the return air duct?
Aprilaire power humidifiers are design to be installed on the hot air supply plenum. If however, there is no space available due to the HVAC air conditioning coil or the layout of the mechanical room, the Aprilaire power humidifier can be installed on the cold air return duct. When installed on the cold air return duct the humidifier must be supplied with hot water as the temperature of the air in the cold air return duct is not sufficient for proper evaporation.
What are the vents for on my Aprilaire power humidifier?
The vents in the cover of the Aprilaire power humidifiers are to keep the fan motor from overheating. The air used in the humidification process is drawn into the humidifier from the HVAC system through the Water Panel® and the humidified air is discharged back into the HVAC system. During this process some of the air may discharge through the vents, however it will not affect the operation of the HVAC system. Similarly during the cooling season some air may discharge through the vents. This also will not have an adverse effect on the operation of the HVAC system.
How do I know when my Aprilaire power humidifier is operating?
The almond color power humidifiers have a 24 volt transformer built into the humidifier; therefore, they have their own power. To determine if the fan is working simply touch the two brown leads which extend out of the bottom of the humidifier together, while the humidifier cover is on and the humidifier is plugged into a powered outlet. This would complete the internal 24 volt connection to the relay, which will turn the fan on and open the water solenoid valve. Perform this test while the furnace is off, so the sound of the furnace running will not interfere with the sound of the humidifier fan. If the fan and water solenoid valve operate the unit is ok. If not, we recommend contacting your installing contractor to troubleshoot the humidifier at your home. The grey color power humidifiers require 24 volt power to engage the internal relay which sends the 24 volts to the water solenoid valve and allows the internal fan to operate. Provided the humidity level in the home is not 45% or higher you can determine if the fan and water solenoid valve are working by simply make a call for humidity from the humidifier control while the HVAC system is making a heat call. If the humidity level is 45% or higher in the home the humidifier will not operate. If the humidity level is less than 45% the humidifier internal fan will operate and the water solenoid valve will open during a call for humidity provided the HVAC system is making a call for heat. If the fan and water solenoid valve operate the unit is working properly. If not, we recommend contacting your installing contractor to troubleshoot the humidifier at your home.
Should our Aprilaire humidifier be connected with hot or cold water?
Aprilaire evaporative humidifiers can operate with hot, cold, hard or soft water. Hot water is preferred as it supplements the heat from the HVAC system heat call to increase the evaporation rate. All Aprilaire humidifiers need some source of heat for evaporation to take place whether it is hot water or hot air. When the humidifier is wired to operate on a heat or HVAC fan call, hot water is required as it is the only heat source for the evaporation process during an HVAC fan call. In addition hot water is required when the humidifier is connected to a heat pump. This is due to the lower plenum temperature in a heat pump. Hot water ensures there is an adequate heat source for the evaporation process. When any drain-though Aprilaire Humidifier is connected to hot water, the heat in the water is used in the evaporation process and the water coming out of the drain will be cool to the touch. The model 800 Aprilaire steam humidifier requires cold water, which may be hard or soft. Hot water cannot be used because the supply water is used to cool the water going to drain.
Why is water leaking out of my Aprilaire evaporative drain-through humidifier?
Aprilaire evaporative humidifiers include a water panel® from which water evaporates into the air to produce moisture in the form of vapor. When water evaporates minerals left behind from the evaporation process are flushed down the drain. Minerals not flushed are permanently trapped in the water panel. If not changed, the water panel will eventually become clogged with these minerals. If this occurs, water being fed into the humidifier may leak due to the water panel being clogged. Other factors which will cause water to leak are; The humidifier not being level and plumb(front to back), the drain line being clogged( drain line should be inspected for clogs yearly ), The scale control insert( component water panel slides into) having a crack in it or not inserted into the base of the humidifier correctly, the orifice which regulates water to the humidifier from the water solenoid valve may have become enlarged or is missing(resulting in a larger flow of water to the humidifier) or the feed tube (component which carries water to the water panel) may have a crack in it or not be properly positioned in the distribution tray(component connected across the top of the water panel). A replacement component for any component found to not be performing properly can be obtained through the HVAC installer.
How can I test the water solenoid valve on my Aprilaire humidifier?
If the water solenoid valve does not making a click sound when the humidity level is increased while the HVAC system fan is operating, the solenoid valve may require replacement by the HVAC installer. The water solenoid valve may be tested by the HVAC installer by applying 24 volts to the water solenoid valve leeds.
Why is there no water coming out of my Aprilaire evaporative humidifier?
Aprilaire Humidifiers require heat, water and air movement in order to add moisture to the air. Moisture in the form of vapor is added whenever the humidity level in the home is lower than the desired level and the HVAC system fan is moving air. Provided there is a need for humidification and the HVAC fan is moving air, water should be draining from the humidifier (models 400 & 400M are drainless so n
o water will be draining during operation). If the water solenoid valve does not making a click sound when the humidity level is increased this would indicate the solenoid valve may require replacement by the HVAC installer. If the water solenoid valve does make a click sound when the humidity level is increased but no water flows this indicates the water flow is obstructed.
How does my Aprilaire digital humidifier control operate?
The Aprilaire digital humidifier control can operate in automatic or manual mode, but regardless of the mode, the digital control requires the HVAC system fan to be operating, a water supply and a heat source in order to create humidity. Whenever the HVAC system is moving air (a heat call or a fan call) the digital humidifier control will add humidity if the humidification level is below the desired level. If the digital humidifier control is wired to operate the humidifier during an HVAC fan call, the humidifier will need to be supplied with hot water as that is the only heat source available. A fan call simply circulates room temperature air in the home, typically 70F, which is not adequate to cause evaporation. In the automatic mode an outdoor sensor is installed. This sensor continuously reports changes in the outdoor temperature to the digital humidifier control located in the cold air return duct or outside the home. The digital humidifier control uses this information to determine if the home requires additional humidity, to ensure the optimum humidification level is maintained. In manual mode there is no outdoor sensor. As a result the digital humidifier control will require regular manual adjusting as the outdoor temperature changes, so the home is not over or under humidified.
What does a flashing red light mean on my Aprilaire digital humidifier control?
The Aprilaire digital humidifier control includes three indicator lights. A flashing red light (the call dealer for service indicator) means the control is not operating properly and the installer needs to check the operation of the control. Anytime the red light is flashing a code will be displayed on the LCD screen. There are four error codes; E1 Relative humidity sensor failure, E2 control knob failure, E3 outdoor temperature sensor/manual mode sensor not recognized and E4 communications with model 8570 Aprilaire thermostat not detected. The code may be cleared by rotating the control knob on the humidifier control to the test reset position. The green Humidifier on” light will begin to flash after approximately 5 seconds. Return the control knob to its previous position. If the error code has cleared the humidifier control has returned to normal operation. If not, the HVAC installer will need to review the wiring to determine if the control requires replacement.
What does a flashing yellow light mean on my Aprilaire digital humidifier control?
The Aprilaire digital humidifier control includes three indicator lights. A flashing yellow light (the change water panel indicator) means it is time to change the water panel® in your Aprilaire humidifier. Once the water panel has been changed, you will need to reset the change water panel indicator as it is not intuitive and has no way of knowing when the water panel was changed. To reset the change water panel indicator, simply rotate the control knob on the humidifier control to the test reset position. The green Humidifier on” light will begin to flash after approximately 5 seconds. The water panel change indicator has been reset. Return the control knob to its previous position.
I changed by water panel in my Aprilaire humidifier, so why won’t the change water panel light reset?