To check the humidifier operation, set the humidistat above the click point, make sure that the water saddle valve is open and that there is electricity to the unit. Generally, with all models except the 350 and 360 Aprilaire Humidifiers, the furnace blower motor must be operating for the Aprilaire Humidifier to function. After the humidifier has operated for several minutes and water is entering the unit and coming out at the drain, reduce the humidistat setting below the click point and the unit should automatically shut off. Now set the humidistat dial at the recom- mended inside relative humidity, depending on the outside temperature. Follow the suggested settings prior to a drop in the outside temperature.
Additional Information
Be sure to keep fireplace dampers closed when not in use. They provide an excellent escape route for heat, as well as humidity. Humidity is lost at an even faster rate than heat because water vapor tends to seek its own level and your humidifier would not be able to replace it even when running at full capacity.
On occasion, indoor moisture producing activities such as clothes drying, cooking, showers, etc., may raise the relative humidity level higher than it should be, even though the Aprilaire Humidifier is not operating. Telltale indications, again, are condensation or frost on cold surfaces such as windows, doors, walls, etc. If such condensation persists for several hours, your home should be ventilated to dissipate the poten- tial damaging excess moisture levels.
III. EFFECT OF WATER CHARACTERISTICS
Your humidifier will operate effectively using either hot, cold, hard or mechanically softened water. Whether to use available tap water, even though it may be quite hard, or chemically soft- ened water, is a common concern to homeowners when installing a humidifier.
Water used in homes contains varying amounts of minerals. The residue remaining as a result of hard water evaporation is pri- marily calcium and magnesium components and is usually quite hard, scaly, and dense.
Residue from softened water tends to be soft and fluffy and has a greater volume than hard water scale. The service life of a Water Panel evaporator may be extended by using hard water, but in
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