Considering whether to add one when replacing the system. The old Generalaire humidifier clogged up. I’ve used a manually filled console humidifier for years.

I have a Honeywell that uses replaceable pad things. There's nothing there to really clog except the pads as they collect minerals. Replace them once before the season starts and I'm good to go.

Tried them and found them useless.
Use a stand alone unit from Amazon.

Ours, from General Filter (?), has been working for 25 years or better.

Steam is the way to go... We used the old humidifier system but could never get it where we wanted. We upgraded to steam and have been very happy! It doesn't use the old style pad - no mess! Its been running perfectly for 2 years now.

Steam Whole Home Humidifier

An automatic Aprilaire bypass is what you want. Simple to clean and maintain.

They all can clog with bad (calcium) water. From the water solenoids, distribution troughs, pads, drain pans, drain tubing, etc.
Most people can get by with annual pad changes and cleanings.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
An automatic Aprilaire bypass is what you want. Simple to clean and maintain.

They all can clog with bad (calcium) water. From the water solenoids, distribution troughs, pads, drain pans, drain tubing, etc.
Most people can get by with annual pad changes and cleanings.

We have one like this. Wife and I were tired of electrocuting each other and the kids all winter. We got a manual one, you have to adjust the output to keep up with the temp. It takes the edge off but when it gets down to teens or lower outside I have to dial it back or I get all sorts of condensation on the windows.

I bought and Installed Aprilaire 700m last fall. One of the best purchases ever made. First time ever having a whole house humidifier. Sure as hell beats filling the tanks twice a day and is way more effective. I can pet my kitties in the winter now with out shocking them.

I will never live somewhere without again.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
An automatic Aprilaire bypass is what you want. Simple to clean and maintain.

They all can clog with bad (calcium) water. From the water solenoids, distribution troughs, pads, drain pans, drain tubing, etc.
Most people can get by with annual pad changes and cleanings.

+1 !

Have had Aprilaire for over 10 years. Works great.

Aprilaire running here since house was built around 1995. Replace the water filter once per year. Some other occasional low-cost maintenance (bad solenoid replaced once, some plastic tubing replaced a couple of times). Works great and makes a noticeable difference in the winter.

I have a number of guitars and amps in my house. My Aprilaire works well to keep them humidified in any room. Also reduces static. My last one lasted 25 years. Very low maintenance. I just shut it off in the summer.

Laugh if you must but I have a question. I've looked into installing one but was worried it would rust the ductwork. I know it's galvanized and I don't expect to live forever so are my concerns foolish?

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
An automatic Aprilaire bypass is what you want. Simple to clean and maintain.

They all can clog with bad (calcium) water. From the water solenoids, distribution troughs, pads, drain pans, drain tubing, etc.
Most people can get by with annual pad changes and cleanings.

^^ THIS ^^

And to add, spend the extra $35 to $50 for the automatic controller and insist the technician hooks up the external thermometer (this is what makes the automatic controller function properly and my technician tried to get out of the 15 minutes work). This makes it automatic and it’s always at the perfect humidity without condensation on windows. Condensation on windows can cause toxic mold as well as rot out window sills.

I had the Aprilaire bypass filter on a 2800 sq ft 2-story home in Alaska and the automatic controller always kept it perfect humidity without condensation on windows. I had it serviced annually (more than just a pad swap) plus did a pad swap halfway through the 9 month long winter. If a properly sized and maintained Aprilaire bypass humidifier can keep up in Alaska then a properly sized and maintained Aprilaire bypass humidifier can keep up wherever y’all live.

Contrast this to the Generalaire bypass humidifier with manual humidity control in Calgary, AB. It was a similar sized 2-story home to Alaska, but the manual adjustment was on furnace in the basement. In other words, I wasn’t going down there often to adjust setting. Additionally, I was a renter and the landlord wouldn’t spend money on having HVAC serviced so it was pad swapped only.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tatortodd,

quote:

Originally posted by mark60:
Laugh if you must but I have a question. I've looked into installing one but was worried it would rust the ductwork. I know it's galvanized and I don't expect to live forever so are my concerns foolish?

I'd be more concerned with leaky, uninsulated duct condensating during air conditioning operation.

Yes, your concerns are INvalid.

Aprilaire 700 works for me. Maintenance IS required.

Aprilaire steam model 800. Minimal maintenance, you just replace the canister which includes the electrodes. It works well in my house and never have issues maintaining optimal humidity. I've had mine for 5 years and it is still going strong as long you replace the canisters. I did have Pro installation as I am not good at that kind of stuff.

Replacement canisters are around $65 on Amazon. I'll buy a couple of them when I find a deal on them at times.

So the Aprilaire is better than the Lennox Healthy Climate Power or Bypass Humidifier?

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
So the Aprilaire is better than the Lennox Healthy Climate Power or Bypass Humidifier?

They're just rebadged Aprilaire products.

Aprilaire on ours is at least 10 years old, probably closer to 15. Just change the media every now and then.

Hardest part is to remember to change the setting on mine during the summer/winter, since it needs so little maintenance - I forget sometimes...