[jensenkd]

We moved into a foreclosure last year and its a large house.

6400 sq. feet. The basement and all the bathrooms are floor heated. The rest of the house is heated by a Geothermal system and a backup gas furnace.

The previous owners purchased a steam humidifier and later replaced it with a non-steam humidifier which supposedly worked better.

Then they foreclosed and cut the unit out before they left.

MN winters are getting to us already and really need to get something put back in.

Since everything is currently still there (Aprilaire controller, wiring to sensor outside, water line, hookups to furnace and geothermal) I'd really like to find something I can just plug in without a lot of headaches.

I looked at the Aprilaire 700 but it doesn't install on a horizontal duct which is where I'd have to mount mine.

Any ideas?

 

[hvactech126]

Why would it not install on horizontal duct. You mount it top side up on the horizontal duct.

 

[old_squid]

I'm assuming you're planning on putting it back where the other one was. Even the 700 isn't listed as being big enough for your square footage.

How about a picture (worth a 1000 words) of where the other one was mounted and where you plan on mounting the new one.

 

[jensenkd]

Why would it not install on horizontal duct. You mount it top side up on the horizontal duct.

""The Model 700 is not suitable for installation on ducts with horizontal airflow. Performance will be reduced." This is an understatement; performance is horrible when mounted on a horizontal duct." - from Aprilaire

 

[jensenkd]

I'm assuming you're planning on putting it back where the other one was. Even the 700 isn't listed as being big enough for your square footage.

How about a picture (worth a 1000 words) of where the other one was mounted and where you plan on mounting the new one.

Yep I pulled off the first patch on the ductwork and found a 6" circle so it looks like they had a bypass humidifier installed.

I'm guessing something like the Aprilaire 600.

You are correct, none of these non-steam systems are big enough for my house but 2500 sq feet of the house is not heated via forced air. So in reality its more like 4000 sq feet of forced air heat.

 

[hvactech126]

Your options are a model 600 or steam model 800.

 

[jensenkd]

I'll get a picture tonight

 

[jensenkd]

Your options are a model 600 or steam model 800.

That's what I figured. I'm thinking model 600

 

[beenthere]

Doubt a 600 will be enough for that size house. Specially when heating with a geo. Make sure its connected to the hot water line.

 

[mazzonetv]

For what it's worth I have the 800 in a 4500 sq ft house and hate it. I'm actually ripping it out now. I have it hooked up to the remote blower and have always had problems. First, i had to put an in line filter on the supply line because the canister was getting dirty so fast that it stopped working. I had a circuit board go bad and had to be changed. The blower is always "dripping", even though all directions were followed. Everything was pitched and installed right, but I still get dripping. The fan isn't really strong enough to circulate the steam - I had plenty of space around the blower but still had moisture on my walls in that area. Finally, the o ring where the canister is inserted was always leaking, causing water to drip out into the drip cup. Tech support always felt I was installing the canister wrong - I replaced the o ring with one ever so slightly larger, and the problem was solved. All in all I decided I spent way too much time and money trying to get it to work, so I gave up and purchased a few high end humidifiers that I have to fill every day or two.

 

[jagans]

Use a sears console model with water tanks till you get the big dog put back. They work good. Thats what I use.

 

[jensenkd]

For what it's worth I have the 800 in a 4500 sq ft house and hate it. I'm actually ripping it out now. I have it hooked up to the remote blower and have always had problems. First, i had to put an in line filter on the supply line because the canister was getting dirty so fast that it stopped working. I had a circuit board go bad and had to be changed. The blower is always "dripping", even though all directions were followed. Everything was pitched and installed right, but I still get dripping. The fan isn't really strong enough to circulate the steam - I had plenty of space around the blower but still had moisture on my walls in that area. Finally, the o ring where the canister is inserted was always leaking, causing water to drip out into the drip cup. Tech support always felt I was installing the canister wrong - I replaced the o ring with one ever so slightly larger, and the problem was solved. All in all I decided I spent way too much time and money trying to get it to work, so I gave up and purchased a few high end humidifiers that I have to fill every day or two.

Common story unfortunately. Even the HVAC company I talked to told me not to waste my time with the 800. They wind up replacing over 1/2 of them every year with different units due to all the issues you brought up.

 

[mazzonetv]

Wish I would have spoke to that Hvac company before I installed mine!!! =)

 

[jensenkd]

.. purchased a few high end humidifiers that I have to fill every day or two.

What Make/Model humidifiers did you get? I'm considering picking one up.

 

[mazzonetv]

I got the Hera from Stadler Form. I really like them. They are quiet and one unit does @ 1000sq ft.

Not cheap, but cheaper than the 800 and the canisters that go with it.