Aprilaire 500A, 700M, 500M, 700A, 400A User Manual

Humidifiers

Owner’s Manual

For Models 350, 360, 400A, 500A, 500M, 600A, 600M, 700A & 700M

Includes Safety & Operating Instructions

and Warranty Information

READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Principle of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Operating Instructions – Models 400A, 500A, 600A & 700A . . . . . . . . . . .4

• Automatic Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

• Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Operating Instructions – Models 350, 360, 500M, 600M & 700M . . . . . .9 Check the Humidifier Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Additional Information for All Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Effect of Water Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Annual Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Annual Summer Shutdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Periodic Preventative Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

Models 350 & 360 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Model 400A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Models 500A & 500M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Models 600A & 600M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Models 700A & 700M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

WARNING

120 volts may cause injury from electrical shock.

Disconnect power and shut off water supply before servicing.

CAUTION

Sudden operation may cause personal injury or property damage. Turn the Aprilaire Humidifier Control to “OFF” or lowest setting before servicing.

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for your recent Aprilaire® humidifier purchase. We appreciate your business and are pleased to add your name to our growing list of customers. You have invested in the highest quality equipment available. Aprilaire manufactures whole-house indoor air quality products and is a recognized leader in the heating and air conditioning industry.

Your humidifier will require periodic maintenance to assure continued fine performance. See page 11 to obtain service parts and/or replacement Water Panel® evaporators.

Now, please take a few minutes and read this booklet. This will familiarize you with the benefits you will receive from the equipment you just purchased and help you understand the routine maintenance that will be required.

Be sure to register your humidifier warranty online at:

www.aprilaire.com/warranty.

Genuine Aprilaire Replacement Water Panel® evaporators are available from your installing contractor or from most other heating and air conditioning contractors in

your area. Use the dealer locator in our web site (www.aprilaire.com) or look in the Yellow Pages under Humidifying Apparatus or Heating & Air Conditioning Contractors. Purchase only genuine Aprilaire Water Panels to maintain peak performance.

- 1 -

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

With your purchase of this humidification system, you have invested in a humidifier that operates on the evaporative principle – nature’s own way of adding moisture

– providing optimum relative humidity (RH) throughout the heating season. It is very possible that you have questions concerning your new humidifier – questions on what it can do for you, and what you should do to receive maximum benefits from it. This booklet is intended to answer these questions.

Nature, in producing an invigorating comfortable April day, combines just the right temperature and the right amount of moisture. Aprilaire humidifiers employ the same principle, with refinements, to give you the optimum RH for maximum allowable comfort all winter long.

The important considerations in the evaluation of a humidifier are precise control, sufficient capacity, trouble-free performance and minimum maintenance. The operating principle of your Aprilaire humidifier provides all of these advantages. Here, briefly, is the method:

Except for Models 350 and 360, the Aprilaire humidifier is installed to operate in conjunction with the heating, ventilating, air conditioning equipment (HVAC) blower motor. When the Aprilaire humidifier Control calls for humidity and the blower motor is operating, water flows to the distribution tray located at the top of the humidifier. The water is uniformly distributed across the width of the tray and through a scientifically designed system of outlets. It flows by gravity over the Water Panel® evaporator, the heart of the humidifier. Dry, hot air is moved through the moisture-laden Water Panel evaporator where natural evaporation takes place. The now-humidified air carrying moisture in vapor form (nature’s own way) is circulated throughout the home.

Models 350 and 360 use service hot water (140°F maximum) for a heat source, as heat is needed for evaporation. While the water going to the humidifier is hot, the flushing water to the drain will be cold. The heat is extracted during the evaporation process.

The correct water flow is determined by an orifice provided with each drain type humidifier. When the humidifier is operating, there will be a small, steady stream of water to drain, which flushes away most of the trouble-causing minerals.

Do not use the saddle valve to regulate the water flow. It is designed to be completely open or closed.

The minerals and solid residue not trapped by the replaceable Water Panel evaporator are flushed down the drain in the Models 350, 360, 500A, 500M, 600A, 600M, 700A and 700M. This is the most effective and least expensive method to dispose of trouble-causing minerals. The drain also eliminates the problems caused by stagnant water.

There are some homes where drain facilities are not accessible or available. For these situations, or where high water hardness is not a problem, the Model 400A is designed to satisfy these applications.

Trouble-free performance and minimum maintenance are assured by the design features of the Aprilaire humidifier. All humidifier housing parts that come in contact with water are non-metal and will never rust or corrode. Neither heat nor water will affect them under normal operating conditions.

The Water Panel® evaporator, designed especially for uniform, high evaporation, and the Scale Control Insert (which encases the Water Panel) efficiently traps mineral deposits which are often the cause of damage to working parts in ordinary humidifiers. When properly maintained, no “white dust” will be distributed through the living quarters. The Water Panel evaporator is the heart of the humidifier and must be in good condition to assure high capacity trouble-free performance. It should be changed at least annually with the exception of the Model 400A which should be changed at least twice per heating season.

The distribution tray incorporates a synthetic fabric liner that is designed to deliver water uniformly over the entire top surface of the Water Panel evaporator, provided the humidifier is mounted level. It is normal for some mineral deposits to form in the distribution tray as it dries out between humidification cycles. These deposits can actually help distribute water in the tray, but if they block the openings, they should be removed as described in the “Periodic Preventative Maintenance” section of this manual.

Your Automatic Digital Humidifier Control works in conjunction with your HVAC to control the operation of the humidifier. The control senses indoor RH and outdoor temperature and automatically adjusts the operation time of the humidifier to provide the optimum humidity level in the home.

The digital readout on the automatic control displays the RH level inside the cold air return duct. RH is a measure of the amount of moisture in the air as a percentage of what the air can hold. Warm air can hold more moisture than cold air can. This reading will accurately indicate the RH in the living space when the HVAC blower is operating. Once the HVAC blower stops, the readout will not change.

The control has lights which indicate humidifier operation, when the water panel needs to be replaced and when service is required. See “Operating Instructions” for more information.

There are many humidifiers on the market. They all add moisture… with varying degrees of efficiency. None, however, offer the features, design, and performance incorporated into your new Aprilaire humidifier.

- 2 -

- 3 -

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS – MODELS 400A, 500A, 600A & 700A

The Automatic Digital Humidifier Control offers two modes of operation, Automatic or Manual. An explanation of both modes follows. (See Figure A on page 5 for Automatic Mode. See Figure B on page 6 for Manual Mode.)

When in the Automatic Mode, this system offers the following benefits:

•You will always receive the optimum amount of humidity so that your home and its furnishings are always protected from the damaging effects of excess condensation or low humidity during the heating season. The Control automatically adjusts your home’s RH based on the outdoor temperature, increasing the time maximum comfort is maintained.

•Simple operation with few adjustments. The Control eliminates the need to manually adjust the control when outdoor temperature changes. It also eliminates the need to turn the dial setting to “OFF” during the summer season.

AUTOMATIC DIGITAL HUMIDIFIER CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHTS

Call Dealer for Service: The red light indicates that the humidifier is not operating normally and that service is required.

Change Water Panel: The yellow light indicates that it is time to change the Water Panel in the humidifier.

Humidifier On: The green light indicates that the humidifier is operating normally.

AUTOMATIC MODE

FIGURE A – Automatic Mode

90-1235

Your Aprilaire Humidifier Control is installed in the cold air return duct. During the first heating season, your Humidifier Control needs to be set initially to match your home’s condition. Please follow these steps when adjusting your control (refer to Figure A).

1.Turn the dial setting knob to “5,” which is within the normal range. During the next 24-48 hours it may be necessary to adjust the dial for more or less humidity, depending on your personal comfort and home’s requirements. Refer to TABLE 3 – Operation Guide.

2.During the coldest portion of the first heating season, minor adjustments may be necessary. This is dependent upon your home’s construction. Refer to TABLE 3 – Operation Guide.

The RH in your home will now be accurately controlled to meet your needs and should not need further adjustment during future heating seasons. Make note of the dial setting in the event you temporarily move the knob to “OFF” when performing annual maintenance of your Aprilaire humidifier.

- 4 -

- 5 -