Aprilaire Steam - Aprilaire 700M Reference Manual

Aprilaire Steam Humidification
Residential steam humidifiers are generally designed from two fundamental technologies, electrode and resistive.
The end result of both technologies is steam, but the way they produce steam is different, leading to performance and
maintenance characteristics that are significantly different. Aprilaire humidifiers utilize electrode technology because
it offers a design that is simple, and requires easy annual maintenance.
Simple – to service and maintain
Simple – limited water quality concerns
Simple – unit selection
Simple – to install
Simple – to service and maintain
To create steam water needs to be heated. With electrode technology electrical current flows between submerged
electrodes, resistance of the water to the electric current heats the water. The submerged electrodes are found in a
replaceable canister. At the end of a humidifier season the canister, that includes the electrodes, are replaced. No
cleaning, no scrubbing, just simply replace the canister and wait for the next humidifier season.
Not only does the canister offer simple maintenance, it offers recurring revenue and a reason to
interact with your consumer annually. For consumers, the opportunity to purchase a replacement
item that eliminates the need to clean the unit is worth every penny. Aprilaire offers replacement
canisters at reasonable prices to insure the canister value exceeds the cost of cleaning.
Simple
Simple –
When water is heated it boils and produces steam leaving behind deposits and minerals. Electrode
technology requires impurities in the water to promote the transfer of electricity. For this reason water
filtration is not required with electrode technology, minimizing the complexity of the installation and on-
going operating costs. The unit will operate with water hardness between 3 and 36 grains - a very wide
range. If reverse osmosis or deionized water is present, plumb unit to water line prior to those devices.
Simple –
The Aprilaire steam humidifier uses electricity to boil the water. The control algorithm in the unit manages the water
level to insure 11.5 amps of electricity is used when operating. The 11.5 amps is the same if it's installed with 240v or
120v, leading to an increase in steam produced based on the voltage that is selected. This ability allows the same unit
to be used for small and large homes.
Simple – to install
Included with every Aprilaire steam humidifier is a remote mounting kit, automatic digital humidifier control, dispersion tube,
drain tube, saddle valve, and mounting hardware. All installation parts required for a remote or duct install are included with
the unit. Simply mount the unit, connect water feed and drain lines, and mount the dispersion tube in the duct and your done.
vs.
Not simple
(requires yearly cleaning)
limited water quality concerns
unit selection