Honeywell HE280, HE240 Installation Guide
HE240, HE280
M33322
Humidifier and
Installation Kit
INSTALLATION GUIDE/OWNER’S MANUAL
SAVE THIS DOCUMENT
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
WARNING
CAUTION
WARNING
WARNING
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
Safety Definitions
These safety terms identify information you must read prior to installing or operating the
humidifier.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could cause bodily injury or
property damage.
Safety Precautions
Make sure you read and understand the following safety hazards before installing,
using, or working with the humidifier:
Serious Personal Injury Hazard.
Can cause electrical shock and injury from moving parts.
Disconnect power and shut off water supply before removing cover.
Hazardous Voltage
Can cause personal injury or equipment damage.
Do not cut or drill into any air conditioning or electrical accessory.
Chemical Hazard.
Can cause personal injury or equipment damage.
Do not use any line connected to an air conditioner.
Do not use gas line.
Temperature and Static Pressure Hazard.
Can cause property or equipment damage.
Locate humidifier where ambient temperature is between 32 and 120 °F (0 to 49 °C).
Do not install humidifier where freezing temperatures could occur.
Be sure supply plenum static pressure is no greater than 0.4 in. wc and water pressure is
no greater than 120 psi.
Sharp Edges Installation Hazard.
Can cause personal injury.
Wear gloves and safety glasses.
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
IMPORTANT
Read and save these instructions.
WELCOME
Congratulations on your purchase of a Honeywell whole-house humidifier. Proper use
of a Honeywell humidifier has numerous benefits related to your family’s health and
comfort, as well as helping to safeguard and protect your home.
How Your Humidifier Works
Your Honeywell humidifier uses the principle that vapor (evaporated water) is created
when warm air blows over a water-soaked area. As the vapor circulates, the relative
humidity rises.
Your humidity control monitors the relative humidity and activates the humidifier
accordingly. The humidifier has a water supply that dispenses water evenly over a
humidifier pad. The warm dry air from the furnace passes over the humidifier pad and
picks up the moist air to circulate it throughout your home.
Humidified air feels warmer and more comfortable so you may be able to lower your
thermostat heating setpoint, which saves money on your heating fuel bills. The end result
is that your humidifier gives you a comfortable environment that is also energy efficient.
Model Specific Features
The HE280 humidifier has water savings technology built in that could save up to 30%
versus leading brands. This translates to up to 20 gallons of water saved per day!
APPLICATION
This kit contains your new Honeywell HE240 or HE280 Humidifier, H8908 Humidistat
and all the accessories required for installation.
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
PREPARING FOR THE INSTALLATION
Be sure to identify all the required (Table 1) accessories (included) and make sure the
appropriate tools are available before beginning the installation.
Included Accessories
Table 1. Included Accessories.
Quantity Accessory
48 in. (1.22 m)
20 ft (6.2 m) 18 gauge, two-strand thermostat wire
20 ft (6.2 m) 1/4 in. (6.35 mm) OD feed water tubing
10 ft (3.1 m) 1/2 in. (12.7 mm) ID drain tubing
1 bag
1 H8908 Humidistat
1 bag
1 Plug-in transformer
1 Foil tape roll
1 bag
1 Mounting template
Bypass ducting including:
6 in. (155 mm) diameter flexible duct
Connecting and mounting hardware:
4 mounting screws
1 drain tube clamp
Saddle Valve Assembly:
1 saddle valve and top clamp
1 threaded bottom clamp
2 bolts
1 rubber gasket
1 brass insert
1 plastic bushing
1 eyelet
1 plastic elbow
1 grommet
1 connector strap
1 PVC tubing
1 wire nut
Required Tools
Tools required for installation include:
•Tin snip
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Adjustable or open-end wrench
•Drill
•Level
• 3/4 in. (19 mm) sheet metal drill bit
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
Determining Best Location for Humidifier
• Select a location for the humidifier on the supply (warm air stream) duct. See Fig. 1
for examples. Return duct mounting is acceptable if there are space restrictions on
the supply duct. If you are mounting the humidifier on the return duct, simply swap
“return duct” for “supply duct” throughout these instructions.
• Select a location that cannot damage the air conditioner A-coil during installation.
• Do not locate the humidifier on the furnace body.
• Mount the humidifier in a conditioned space to prevent freezing.
• Mount the humidifier at least 3 in. (78 mm) above the furnace body to allow
adequate space for the solenoid valve and drain line.
HUMIDIFIER
BYPASS
COLLAR
HORIZONTAL
HIGHBOY
DOWN
FLO
LOWBOY
M12248D
Fig. 1. Typical humidifier installation locations.
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
ALTERNATE LOCATION
RETURN
AIR
RETURN
AIR
6 in. (152 mm)
MINIMUM
15 in. (381 mm)
MINIMUM
BEST
LOCATION
RETURN AIR DUCT
M12831
CHOOSE A LOCATION IN A CONDITIONED
SPACE THAT HAS ACCESS TO A WATER SUPPLY
PIPE. COLD OR HOT WATER CAN BE USED.
SELECT A SURFACE ON THE HVAC SUPPLY OR
RETURN DUCT WITH CLEARANCE FOR THE
SOLENOID VALVE, DRAIN LINE AND COVER
REMOVAL.
LOCATION MUST ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO 120
VAC POWER.
ENSURE THE LOCATION IS NEAR A DRAIN.
CONSULT LOCAL PLUMBING CODES FOR
PROPER DRAINAGE.
M33410
Fig. 2. Typical humidifier installation locations.
Selecting Location for Humidistat
• Select a location for the humidistat on the return plenum or on the wall in the living space.
• Mounting on the return plenum is the easiest installation for the control wiring circuit.
IMPORTANT
The humidistat must be mounted upstream from the humidifier or bypass duct to ensure
it is properly sensing the relative humidity of the living space. Locate the control at least
8 in. (203 mm) upstream from the humidifier in the return air duct. (See Fig. 3.)
Fig. 3. Selecting duct location for humidistat.
Locating Closest 120 V Electrical Outlet
• Select location with access to an outlet. If not available, contact an electrician to
• Make sure that the 20 ft (6.2 m) of thermostat wire is adequate to reach from the
have one installed.
humidifier to the humidistat, and also from the humidifier to the transformer. Please
note that the thermostat wire will need to be cut into the 2 correct lengths. See
“Wiring” on page 14 for more information.
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
M33323
WATER
FEED NOZZLE
FRAME
HUMIDIFIER
HOUSING
WATER
FEED TUBE
HUMIDIFIER
PAD ASSEMBLY
COVER
SIDEWALL
BY-PASS SIDEWALL
PRESSURE SWITCH
SOLENOID VALVE
PerfectFLO™ WATER
DISTRIBUTION TRAY
INSTALLATION
1. Turn off power to the air handling system at the circuit breaker.
2. Draw a level line on the plenum in the selected location.
IMPORTANT
To ensure optimal product performance, be sure the mounting template is
level before marking. Use of a small level is recommended.
3. Locate the template (form number 69-2710 included in the box). For the HE240
model, cut out the template along the dotted line.
4. Tape the template in position and trace around the template.
5. Remove the template and carefully cut the rectangular opening using tin snips.
6. Disassemble the humidifier; remove the cover and take out the humidifier pad
assembly. See Fig. 4.
Fig. 4. Disassembling humidifier.
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
STARTING
HOLE
6 IN. ROUND TEMPLATE
M20172
7. Make sure the humidifier housing is
level, then position it in the opening
SHEET METAL
SCREWS (4)
LEVEL
DUCT
so the plastic tabs are in place on the
lower sheet metal edge of the opening. Use pliers, as necessary, to flatten cut edges. See Fig. 5.
8. Secure the humidifier housing to the
opening at the top and bottom using
sheet metal screws.
9. Use the 6 in. (155 mm) starter collar
as a template to mark the opening for
the bypass. The starter collar end
can be identified by the pliable metal
OPENING
TO AIR DUCT
tabs.
PLASTIC
TABS (2)
DRAIN TUBING
Fig. 5. Installing humidifier on duct.
10. Carefully cut the opening for the 6 in. (155 mm) starter collar end of the 48 in.
(1.22 m) flex duct. See Fig. 6. Use a drill to start the cut in the middle of the circle. Cut in an outward spiral to assist in controlling the cut.
M33324
Fig. 6. Cutting bypass opening.
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
M33325
HUMIDIFIER PORT
CONNECTOR STRAP
11. Reassemble humidifier side plates to customize the orientation for your specific
install. The side plate with the humidifier port needs to be on the side of the
humidifier that is closest to the 6 in. (155mm) hole cut in Step 10.
12. Insert flex duct with starter collar into the 6" (155mm) hole that was cut in Step
10. Reach into hole THROUGH THE FLEX DUCT so that the pliable metal tabs
can be bent outwards into the hole. These tabs, when bent outwards, will help
secure the flex duct into your home's duct work.
13. Slide remaining loose end of flex duct over the humidifier port on the HE240/
HE280, making sure that the flex duct advances past the raised plastic tabs on
the port. These tabs will help to hold the flex duct in place. Verify that the damper
blade has adequate clearance to move back and forth between the summer and
winter positions. Secure the flex duct in place with the plastic connector strap.
14. Seal the duct connec-
tions with foil tape.
Seal both
1) the connection
between the starter
collar end of the flex
duct and the home's
duct work and
2) the end of the flex
duct to the humidifier
over the top of the
connector strap.
15. Reinstall the humidi-
fier pad assembly in
the humidifier housing.
16. Hinge the cover in
place and secure with
the thumbscrew
located at the bottom
of the cover.
Fig. 7. Connecting bypass ducting.
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
M20175
SCREW DRIVER
WATER LINE
Connecting the Plumbing
Use hot or cold water and either hard or softened water in the humidifier.
NOTE: Using hot water will increase operating costs, but may provide a small
increase in the amount of humidity delivered.
IMPORTANT
Please consult local plumbing code for proper plumbing regulations before beginning. Use of a manual shutoff valve may be required to meet code in your area.
1. Shut off the water.
2. Use the self-piercing saddle valve (included)
to tap into the water supply line at the location selected. Turn the handle on the top of
the saddle valve to the right (clockwise) until
the needle pierces the water supply line.
Leave the needle in this position until the
humidifier is fully installed to prevent leaking
(even though the water supply is turned off,
there can still be water in the line that will
leak as soon as the needle is backed out).
See Fig. 8. If tapping into galvanized pipe,
drain the line and pre-drill 3/16 in. tap for the
saddle valve.
Fig. 8. Installing the saddle valve.
NOTE: The saddle valve is not designed to regulate water flow. The valve is
either open or closed.
IMPORTANT
To prevent debris from clogging the solenoid in-line filter, be sure to install the
saddle valve handle pointing toward the ceiling.
3. Use 1/4 in. (6 mm) OD tubing and
connect the saddle valve to the
inlet side of the solenoid valve on
the humidifier (see Fig. 9).
a. Place the brass compression nut
BRASS COMPRESSION NUT
PLASTIC
COMPRESSION
RING
BRASS INSERT
over the tubing.
b. Slide the plastic compression ring
over the tubing. (Discard copper
compression ring provided with
valve.)
c. Install brass insert into end of
tubing.
M33404
Fig. 9. Installing feed tubing.
NOTE: To prevent leaking, use plastic (Delrin) compression rings with plastic
tubing. Use copper sleeve rings only with copper tubing.
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
M20177
M33405
d. Insert the tubing into the saddle valve fitting and support the valve while
tightening the compression nut.
e. Insert plastic supply tubing into quick connect fitting. Insert fully, and apply
modest pull pressure to ensure a tight fit.
4. Use the following steps to install a
1/2 in. (13 mm) drain tube between the
humidifier and the floor drain (see Fig. 10).
a. Slide the drain clamp over the tubing.
b. Push the tubing over the drain nipple
on the humidifier.
c. Hand-tighten the clamp around the
tubing to secure it to the humidifier
drain. The clamp is tightened by compressing the two sides together so
that one side fits into the ridged grove
on the other side.
d. Secure the tubing (can use foil tape)
along the route to prevent movement
and ensure downward slope for correct drainage.
Fig. 10. Installing the drain tubing.
NOTE: Cut tubing to correct length so the tubing terminates at the drain.
Connecting the Pressure Switch
1. If the humidifier is installed on
the supply duct (as is recommended), the pressure switch
needs to have the tubing fed to
the return duct. If the humidifier
is installed on the return duct,
the pressure switch needs to
have the tubing fed to the supply
duct.
2. Drill a 3/4-in. (19 mm) diameter
hole in the duct within 10 ft.
(3 m) of the switch to ensure the
provided tubing reaches the
pressure tap elbow.
Fig. 11. Pressure switch.
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HE240, HE280 HUMIDIFIER AND INSTALLATION KIT
3. Insert the black rubber grommet into
the duct hole.
4. Connect the tubing to the tubing fit-
ting elbow and insert the tubing fitting elbow into the black rubber
grommet.
5. Connect the other end of the tubing
to the applicable pressure connection on the switch.
a. If the humidifier is installed on the
supply duct (as is recommended), the tube that inserts
into the humidifier needs to be
attached to the black port, and
the tube that runs to the return
duct needs to be attached to the
gray port.
b. If the humidifier is installed on the
return duct, the tube that inserts
into the humidifier needs to be
attached to the gray port, and the
tube that runs to the supply duct
needs to be attached to the black
port.
M33326
Fig. 12. Installing the pressure switch
tubing.
6. You may cut the tubing to fit the connection length between the elbow fitting and
switch. It is also recommended to secure the hose to existing structures to avoid
accidental disconnection.
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