If you're looking for your next humidifier purchase, Aprilaire is one brand you can trust. For over 50 years, the brand has offered air quality products with a renowned line of humidifier products– either whole-house or enclosed spaces from 2,000 to 6,000 square feet.
In this article, we'll help you determine how to find the right Aprilaire humidifier system for your home needs. (Related: Cool Mist Vs Warm Mist Humidifier: Everything You Need To Know & Which Humidifier Is Best)
Aprilaire Humidifier Collection
The Aprilaire humidifier line is usually designed to accommodate large areas. Their products have an industrial style than other standard humidifiers for residential use.
It’s unlikely to find small humidifier units (tabletop humidifiers) from this brand. Other than that, Aprilaire also doesn’t offer any ultrasonic machines.
Aprilaire Evaporative Humidifiers
We have the Aprilaire 350 humidifier, which provides coverage of up to 4,500 square feet. It has a self-contained system that connects to your existing ductwork system. Another similar product is the Aprilaire 360, installed through a wall. Both systems require a drain, hot water, and power to function. They also have a control panel that needs to be installed in the home.
Homeowners who want a traditional whole-house system can choose the Aprilaire 400, which works in conjunction with the furnace. It is a large capacity humidifier with 4,000 square feet of coverage.
The Aprilaire 500 Small Bypass Humidifier can also handle up to 3,000 square feet of living spaces. It is designed with a built-in drain to help with mineral build-up and make it easy to use. Another similar humidifier is the Aprilaire 600 (whole-house system), with a larger output of 17 gallons daily.
Top pick: If you want the best Aprilaire large evaporative humidifier, consider the Aprilaire 700 Whole House Humidifier with a rating of 18 gallons daily for up to 4,200 square feet of coverage. Unlike the 300 to 600 series, the Aprilaire 700 has a built-in fan.
Aprilaire Steam Humidifiers
Currently, Aprilaire offers two steam humidifiers (models 800 and 865) in their line of products. Both units physically appear the same, but specific differences make the 800 Whole House Steam Humidifier a much better choice.
The standalone unit has a canister-based system, functioning independently from the central HVAC system. It makes for a great humidifier choice for homes with limited, tight spaces. There's also the Aprilaire 801 Whole House Humidifier, a modular system. It gives more accuracy to your home's humidity levels.
You can count on both units to have several unique features than the evaporative system line– such as automatic drain cycles, digital control panel, and drain water tempering.
Aprilaire Humidifier Features
Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of Aprilaire humidifiers.
Pros:
Cons:
Thanks to the design of Aprilaire's humidifiers, they are renowned for their quiet operation. Most systems also allow you to buy a digital or manual control, extending the system's capabilities.
Additionally, it comes with water panel change indicators that indicate when the panel needs to be changed (unless you go for a steam humidifier).
Automatic Humidity Levels
Humidifiers pump water vapor around the living space if the humidity levels are low. Notably, the Aprilaire 700 automatically functions once it detects low humidity levels and continues until your home becomes comfortable.
Whole House Humidifiers
Aprilaire humidifiers can accommodate your whole house. It’s not just giving off water vapor from one spot. Since it is hooked to the HVAC system, the water vapor comes from each vent.
Built-in Humidistat
Some Aprilaire units have a built-in humidistat, allowing you to check the current humidity levels any time of the day. It's also a helpful indicator to determine how well the humidifier unit functions.
Outside Sensor
Aprilaire humidifiers also feature an outside sensor to pick up the humidity levels outdoors and automatically adjust the unit.
The indoor humidity levels can be affected every time you open doors or windows. Some homes are also porous, allowing humidity to escape. Fortunately, some Aprilaire units can adjust swiftly according to different outdoor conditions.
Installation
Handy homeowners may opt to install their Aprilaire humidifier by themselves. But if you’re not 100% on what to do, you may be better off hiring a professional to handle the installation project.
The last thing you’d want is to destroy the humidifier in the process or end up hurting yourself. After installation, it should work almost instantly. Expect to see drastic changes in your home’s air quality.
Price
Simply put, Aprilaire humidifiers come at a cost (starting from $200 to $1,000), depending on the type. But, many homeowners consider it an excellent investment due to the convenience and comfort it brings.
The humidifier units are also not high-maintenance. You can expect to do upkeep shortly after a year of installation.
Not to mention, it also boasts a quiet operation for a humidifier unit. Many are taken aback by how the units are surprisingly quiet, with the same noise level as a fan. If your Aprilaire humidifier unit gets loud, it might be an indication that something is wrong.
Warranty
Homeowners planning to do a DIY installation may expect to have their product warranty voided. You may want to think twice about this for a pretty expensive humidifier such as Aprilaire's line of products. In contrast, hiring a professional gives you a 5-year warranty to protect your purchase.
Note: Opting for large-sized Aprilaire humidifiers may also increase your water bill, as most of it uses about a gallon of water every 10 minutes. The total cost may vary depending on local utility rates in your area, but it may get up to an additional $25 per month.
Aprilaire Humidifier Reviews
Unlike big-name humidifiers such as AirCare, Dyson, and Honeywell, there are not many consumer reviews regarding Aprilaire's humidifier line. This can be partly attributed to their distinct industrial design. These humidifiers are also something you can't just buy at your local hardware store/outlets.
Regardless, Aprilaire humidifier units maintain positive reviews among many retailers in the country. On Amazon, shoppers didn't leave a rating lesser than 4/5– which is considered excellent. The reviews are based on the product's ease of use, price, and overall reliability.
Verdict: Are Aprilaire Humidifiers Worth It?
Undoubtedly, there are no defining disadvantages or setbacks in purchasing humidifiers from Aprilaire. Just ensure that you need a whole-house humidifier system.
A simple online search shows competitor whole-house systems with more features at better price points, but these products have limited warranties or underwhelming reviews. In contrast, Aprilaire's humidifiers are well-received and known for their durability.
If we're talking about the cons of Aprilaire humidifiers, it's probably how most homeowners will need to call in a professional to handle the units. You will need proper installation for these humidifiers to function efficiently, and it will also keep the warranty provisions. But, it may hike the overall costs– so better prepare your budget accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does humidifier output mean?
Humidifier output refers to the amount of moisture a system can generate in a day. It's a vital figure to consider when determining the size of a room, but it is also a standard that some manufacturers make challenging to come by.
How often should I change the water in my humidifier?
Ideally, change the water in your humidifier right after each use—the possibility of bacteria and viruses spreading increases if old water sits in your humidifier for long hours.