Our Most Effective Central Humidifier Continues to Gain Fans!
In mid-late winter and early spring, the air inside many of our homes can get too dry and affect our comfort levels, as well as our health and general wellbeing. The list of ways that arid indoor air can negatively impact you also includes your home, itself. In the Denver metro area, it’s well known that many homeowners and homes could benefit from adding more humidity to their indoor air, one way or another. One proven solution for homes that are served by a central ducting system is installing a central humidifier.
In this post, our comfort team at Save Home Heat Company will revisit, refresh, and update our readers on our most effective, highest performing central humidifier, the Model 800 Whole-House Steam Humidifier from Aprilaire.
What is the Aprilaire Model 800 Steam Humidifier?
In review for some of our readers, the Aprilaire Model 800 central steam humidifier is a high performance, steam canister-type unit, designed to deliver consistent, effective humidity control for many different size homes, around the clock, 24/7. Unlike standard flow-thru central humidifiers, which rely on a water panel and warm air from the heating system in order to create moisture, the Model 800 contains its own heat source, generating steam internally and then injecting it directly into the ductwork. In both cases, the main fan in the furnace or air handler circulates the humidified air around the home through the ducting system. In the case of the Model 800, however, the unit can supply humidified air at any time, regardless of the real-time heating needs of the home.
The primary component in the Model 800 is its internal steam canister, which requires periodic replacement. In most cases, this should be done annually, along with inspection of the electrode wires, the drain line, the inline strainer, and checking water flow in the unit. This service should be performed by a qualified service technician (in the Denver Metro area, that’s us!).
In the good news department, because the Model 800 requires that the water supplied to it contains certain levels of minerals in order to do its job properly, an external water filter is normally not required for these steam humidifiers.
The primary benefits of the Model 800 Humidifier include:
- Can consistently maintain desired humidity levels in a home up to 5,200 sq. ft. (per trade association AHRI average construction guidelines), including those that have just one furnace
- Accurate, effective indoor humidity control to help individuals with acute medical or respiratory conditions
- Most effective central humidifier for helping to reduce the viability of airborne viruses and bacteria, along with reducing airborne dust and pet dander
- Most effective control of wintertime static shocks
- The best central humidifier to help protect valuable wood products such as expensive wood flooring, fine furniture, and wood musical instruments. Note: these latter often require their own dedicated humidifiers, but the Model 800 can certainly assist
- Does not require purified water or an external water filter under normal residential conditions
- User-friendly, onboard digital control and diagnostic monitor
- A variety of user-friendly humidistat control options
- The best central humidifier option for homes that experience plenty of direct solar gain, when the heating system doesn’t need to work for hours at a time
The 220 volt model makes the most sense for our customers
Our team at Save Home Heat almost exclusively recommends and installs the 220 volt version of this unit (as opposed to the 120 volt model) for our customers in the Denver Metro, Boulder, and Loveland area. This is because it provides the most efficient use of electricity and the highest performance. Our customers almost uniformly conclude that the work at the electrical panel that’s often required to install the 220 volt unit is a wise investment, and worth the additional expense.
Evaporative ratings of the Model 800 humidifier
In evidence of its ability to properly humidify a home that has up to 5,200 sq. ft. of finished space, according to the independent Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the Model 800 boasts an evaporative rating of 34.6 gallons per day for the 220 volt model. The performance of Aprilaire’s steam canister design is, in a word, impressive!
The Aprilaire Model 800 Steam Humidifier is More Popular than Ever
In recent years, the Aprilaire Model 800 has steadily grown in popularity with our customers, to the point where it is now the most popular humidifier that we install – by a small but growing margin. This marks the first time in the 45+ years we’ve been serving homeowners in the Denver-Boulder metro area that a steam-powered unit has taken the top spot as our most popular central humidifier.
Why the Growth in Popularity?
The main reasons that we hear from our customers for the steady shift toward this central steam humidifier, away from the more basic, tried-and-true standard flow-thru units, are pretty clear:
- The Model 800 is the highest performing, most responsive humidifier we sell, a great fit for our normally arid Colorado Front Range climate
- It is much more conservative on water consumption than standard humidifier designs
- The design of the Model 800 produces the cleanest, healthiest, humidified air you can achieve
- The Model 800 will maintain your desired indoor humidity level, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
As demand for reliable, effective whole-home humidification continues to grow with many homeowners who are increasingly tuned into indoor air quality (IAQ), we expect the Model 800’s popularity to continue growing. With virtually no design updates or service issues in close to a decade, the Model 800 central steam humidifier also strongly stands the test of time.
Need A Central Humidifier For Your Denver-Boulder-Loveland Area Home?
When it comes to adding humidity to the air in your home, there’s no one solution that works for every family and every home. In many cases, a more affordable and more easily serviced standard central humidifier is the right call. In other cases, a steam powered unit is the better solution.
As we mentioned above, steam-powered central humidifiers continue to grow in popularity with our customers for a number of good reasons. Our job at Save Home Heat Company is to inform homeowners fully, with zero pressure or sales hype, patiently answer any questions they may have, and enable them to make an informed decision they feel good about.
In the Denver Metro, Boulder, and Loveland-Longmont area, please reach out to our team today for expert recommendations on a central humidifier that’s the right fit for you and your home. Installation quotes from our friendly comfort team are free, with no obligation.
Please contact me to schedule a central humidifier install quote!
