The HVAC guy who did my new system in July put on a Aprilaire 600 whole-home humidifier for me and I was looking at the filter/wick thing in it this week.

It's a metal mesh, but I may have an issue here.

It looks already used to me. The metal mesh appears to already been caked with lots of white/gray lime or mineral hard water buildup! I've never had this thing running yet as it was installed in July and I won't need it until maybe next month or so.

This doesn't look right to me. Did this guy install a used one and charge me for a new one?

Shouldn't this metal mesh be just plain metal?

I have an Aprilaire 550. I replace mine once a year. There should not be any sediment in a new filter. Mine is caked with sediment after use. Yes it has been used if it hasn't ran at all and there is actual sediment in the filter.

See some images of a new filter here:
https://www.amazon.com/Aprilai...0+replacement+filter

the replacement "filters" or whatever you call them that I bought on the internet looked the same as you describe.

The only difference that I can tell in the ones that need replacing is the amount of material caked onto the metal - not the color.

I understand exactly your concern, but I assure you, it is completely normal.

I have installed, replaced many of those, you are not the first to question the looks of the screen.

When you buy a replacement next season, it will look just as "used".

From a manufactures website...


Can't I simply clean my Vapor Pad instead of replacing it?

At the factory we put a coating on the evaporator pad that helps it absorb water and control water flow. While very efficient, it is also fragile. The coating is similar in composition to the minerals that accumulate on the pad. If you subject the pad to cleaning, you usually remove much of the coating and the pad becomes ineffective at holding water and producing humidity. The result is a reduction in the output of the humidifier and an increase in water consumption.

Instead we recommend the evaporator pad be replaced each year.

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
I understand exactly your concern, but I assure you, it is completely normal.

I have installed, replaced many of those, you are not the first to question the looks of the screen.

When you buy a replacement next season, it will look just as "used".

Thanks.

OK, so it sounds like I am wrong and that substance on the mesh is ceramic and not sediment/lime buildup.

From the Aprilaire website:

quote:

This genuine Aprilaire replacement water panel is the backbone of your Aprilaire humidifier. The heavy-duty aluminum mesh frame holds its shape over the life of the water panel as the porous ceramic-type coating absorbs water and maintains the proper level of hydration to support the evaporation process. Water is vaporized as air warmed by the furnace passes over the water panel. The humidified air is carried through the house through the air ducts.

I concur with the others - A brand new pad does look like it might be used - but it's not.