Essick Air H12 User Manual

READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

OWNER’S
CARE
&
USE
MANUAL

MODEL:

H12 Series

H12 300, LT OAK
H12 400, OAK BURL

• Automatic Humidistat

• Automatic Shutoff

• 3-Speed Fan

• Quiet Setting for Nightime use

• Easy to clean, removable power pack

SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT

RECYCLE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS

Patents: 5,037,583; 5,110,511; 5,133,904 Other

To order parts and accessories call

Patents Pending

1-800-547-3888

French and Spanish
Instructions included.

Se incluyen instrucciones
En Español y Francés.

Directives en Français et en
espagnol compris

EVAPORATIVE

HUMIDIFIER

1B5862040 03/09

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

READ BEFORE USING YOUR HUMIDIFIER

1. This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the
risk of electric shock, this plug is intended to fit into a polarized 120-volt AC, 15 amp
outlet, and only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it
still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to defeat this safety
feature. If an extension cord must be used, it should also accept the wide blade plug
and meet this electrical rating.

2. Do not place the cord under rugs, near loose drapes, in traffic areas, nor near heat
sources or combustible materials.

3. Do not use the humidifier if the cord is damaged.

4. Always unplug the power cord before filling, cleaning, servicing, or when the unit
is not in use.

5. This humidifier is ETL listed with Essick Air brand evaporative wicks in place.

6. It is very important that cleaning solutions such as bleach, anti-bacteria treatment or
descaler, which could be used to clean the cabinet, are not sprayed or applied to the
chassis assembly. These solutions can cause serious electrical malfunction of the
humidifier.

INTRODUCTION

Your Essick Air evaporative humidifier adds invisible moisture to your home by moving dry
inlet air through a saturated wick. As air moves through the wick, the water evaporates into
the air, leaving behind any white dust, minerals, or dissolved and suspended solids.
Because the water is evaporated, there is no messy mist or spray and no white dust, just
clean and invisible moist air.

As the evaporative wick traps accumulated minerals from the water, its ability to absorb and
evaporate water decreases. We recommend changing the wick at the beginning of every
season. In hard water areas, more frequent replacement may be necessary to maintain
your humidifier’s efficiency.

Use only Essick Air brand replacement wicks and chemicals.
To order parts, wicks and chemicals call 1-800-547-3888. The H12 Series humidifiers use Essick
Air wick #1045. Only the Essick Air evaporative wick guarantees the certified output of your
humidifier. Use of wicks other than Essick Air brand will void your warranty as well as the
certification of output and may reduce the efficiency and output of your humidifier.

CAUTION:
NOT place on soft carpet

HOW YOUR HUMIDIFIER WORKS

Dry air is drawn into
the humidifier
though the back and
moisturized as it
passes through the
evaporative wick. It
is then fanned out
into the room.

Do NOT position the unit directly in front of a hot air duct or radiator. Do

.

LEGEND:

1. Water bottle

2. Chassis/power pack
(motor/fan assembly)

3. Evaporative wick

4. Water reservoir

5. Dry room air intake

6. Moist air output

ASSEMBLY, CONTROLS & OPERATION

1. Remove the two polyfoam inserts from the top of the humidifier.

2. Lift off the water bottle cover (left-hand side). Remove the water bottle, lift off the
chassis/power pack and then remove the humidifier cabinet from the carton.

3. Remove the evaporative wick, float assembly (black rod with white float), and all of the
remaining packaging materials from the cabinet. Check to see that you have all of the
following items removed from the boxes accessory kit and cabinet before discarding the
packaging:

♦ Filler hose ♦ Caster kit
♦ Bacterial treatment sample ♦ Water bottle with cap
♦ Optional AirCare® Filter (purchased separately)

IMPORTANT FILLING INFORMATION

4. Your humidifier is equipped with one water bottle. When both the water bottle and reservoir
have emptied, the humidifier fan will automatically shut off, but will start again automatically
when the water bottle and reservoir are refilled.

5. When the bottle is being filled for the first time and the wick is still dry, it will take
approximately 20 minutes to drain the bottle into the reservoir. After the bottle has emptied, it
should be refilled again to obtain maximum running time.

6. When refilling the bottle and the wick is still wet, it will take approximately 12 minutes to refill
the reservoir. At this time, you should refill the bottle for maximum running time.

CASTERS

7. Turn the emptied cabinet upside down. Insert each caster stem into the four caster holes on
each corner of the humidifier bottom. The casters should fit snugly and be inserted until the
stem shoulder reaches the cabinet surface.

8. Turn the cabinet right side up.

EVAPORATIVE WICK

9. When placing the wick back into the humidifier, the rod and float assembly must also be
reattached. Insert the top of the float rod through the hole on the extended wick retainer
(attached to the top of the wick frame) (See figure A).

Holding the float in place, lower the wick and float assembly together into the cabinet. The
wick has a mounting rib on the top edge which hooks over a rib at the inside back of the
cabinet. NOTE: The float rod retainer must be extended prior to inserting the float rod. The
white float must be positioned into the pocket in the bottom of the cabinet. (See figure B)

Figure A Figure B

AIR CLEANING FILTER (OPTIONAL)

10. The AirCare® filter has four tangs that engage into four keyhole slots that mount the
AirCare® filter onto the outside of the back of the cabinet. (See figure C)

CHASSIS/POWER PACK

11. Place the chassis/power pack unit into the cabinet, so it fits without tipping or rocking.

12. Fill the bottle water. If you only have softened water available in your home, you can use it,
but you will notice a buildup of minerals on the wick much sooner. The bottle holds 2.5
gallons. When filling, be careful not to pressurize it by overfilling. Bottle damage can result
from this. A fill hose is provided with your humidifier which will fit most faucets. Place the
water bottle into the left side of the humidifier with the valve cap end down, so that the groove
in the water bottle faces the inside. (D) Replace the water bottle cover.

Figure C Figure D

NOTE: We recommend using Essick Air Bacteriostat treatment when you refill the water
bottle to eliminate bacterial growth. Add bacteriostat according to the instructions on the
bottle and then tighten the valve cap on your water bottle.

NOTE: For optimum running time, fill the water bottle, tighten the cap, and place inside unit,
allowing it to completely drain into the water reservoir. Then refill the bottle and replace in
the cabinet. Do not fill the reservoir bucket, as overfilling will result in water damage. Use
only the bottle provided.

OPERATION

1. Plug cord into wall receptacle. Your humidifier is now ready for use. The humidifier should be
placed at least FOUR inches away from any walls and away from heat registers. Unrestricted
airflow into the unit will result in the best efficiency and performance.

2. The H12 3-speed fan control allows you to use the low setting for the quietest operation or a
high setting for maximum output.

H12 Control Panel

3. All models have an automatic humidistat. The humidistat will turn the humidifier on when the
relative humidity in your home is below the humidistat setting and will turn the humidifier off
when the relative humidity reaches the humidistat setting. For initial operation, set the
humidistat at its midpoint “two-droplet” setting and adjust up or down from there to achieve
the desired humidity level.

4. The refill light will indicate when the unit is completely out of water. The motor will also shut
off. To refill, see Step 9.

NOTE: When excessive condensation exists, a lower speed setting is recommended.
CAUTION: Disconnect power before filling, cleaning or servicing unit. Keep grille dry at all

times.

OPTIONAL AIRCARE® FILTER

The first stage of the air filter is a high-efficiency, electrostatically charged filter media which traps
dust, pollen, and airborne pollutants. The second stage is an activated carbon media which
absorbs odors from cooking, pets, or tobacco smoke. We recommend replacing the AirCare®
filter at least once a year and more often if necessary. When the white filter media is coated with
a layer of dust and dirt, it is time to replace the AirCare® filter. The certified water output of your
humidifier will be reduced when using the AirCare® filter. AirCare® filters are optional and are
not required for normal operation of the humidifier. AirCare® is registered trademark of Essick Air
Products.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Cleaning your humidifier regularly helps eliminate odors and bacterial and fungal growth.
Ordinary household bleach is a good disinfectant and can be used to wipe out the humidifier base
and bottle/reservoir after cleaning. We recommend cleaning your humidifier at least once every
two weeks to maintain optimum environmental conditions for your home.

We also recommend using Essick Air Bacteriostat Treatment each time you refill your humidifier
to eliminate bacterial growth. Add bacteriostat according to the instructions on the bottle. Please
call 1-800-547-3888 to order Bacteriostat Treatment reference part number 1970.

1) Turn off unit completely counterclockwise and unplug from outlet.

2) Lift out the water bottle and the power pack.

3) Carry bottle and base to cleaning basin. Lift wick with float assembly from the base allowing
the water to drain and remove float assembly from wick. Rinse wick under freshwater only.
Do not use soap, detergent, or any other cleaners on the wick. Leave in sink to drain.

REMOVING SCALE

4) Empty the water from the reservoir and water bottle. Fill both reservoir and water bottle ½ full
with water and add 8 oz. (1 cup) of white vinegar to each. Let stand 20 minutes. Then empty
solution.

5) Dampen a soft cloth with white vinegar and wipe out reservoir to remove scale. Rinse the
water bottle and reservoir thoroughly with fresh water to remove scale and cleaning solution
before disinfecting.

DISINFECTING UNIT

6) Fill the water bottle and reservoir ½ full with water and add 1 teaspoon of bleach to each.
Wet all surfaces on water bottle and cabinet. Let solution stay for 20 minutes, then rinse with
water until bleach smell is gone. Dry with clean cloth. The outside of the unit and water bottle
may be wiped down with a soft cloth dampened with fresh water.

7) Refill unit and re-assemble per ASSEMBLY instructions.

SUMMER STORAGE

1) Clean unit as outlined in Care & Maintenance section.

2) Discard used wick and any water in the reservoir or bottle and allow to dry thoroughly before
storage. Do not store with water inside reservoir or bottle. 3) Do not store unit in an attic or
other high-temperature area. 4) Install new filter at beginning of season.